Built by people who lived it first.
Lance and Jessica Miller founded Coffee with Champions in Dayton, Ohio.
Everything about the program came out of their own story before it ever became anyone else's.
Lance & Jessica Miller
Founders
In 2008, Lance hit the lowest point of his life.
He'd spent 11 years chasing a plan he'd made at 22. Become a millionaire by 30, then retire and teach others how he did it. On the outside, it looked like it was working.
VP of Operations. A company that grew from 20 to over 100 employees. Dream home. New cars. A successful real estate investment business.
But underneath it, everything was wrong. He was drinking heavily to cope with the pressure. His health was falling apart. He'd built a life that looked good and felt empty.
One Friday morning in February, with Jessica at work, Lance went to the basement. Got on his knees. And said out loud: "I can't do this anymore. I give up. I can't go on."
That was where it started.
What followed was a long climb back. He had to ask for help. From Jessica. From friends. From people he'd never expected to lean on.
He had to take small steps when big ones felt impossible. He and Jessica eventually moved out of state to spend time in a community focused on honesty and what it actually takes to change.
He learned things in that season that no business book had ever taught him. About fear. About the stories people tell themselves. About why capable people stay stuck. And about what actually moves people forward.
Coffee with Champions came out of that.
Why it exists.
What Lance learned is what the program teaches. Most problems people face at work start on the inside. Confidence. Communication. Ownership. Trust. And the right conversation, on a consistent rhythm, is what actually changes people over time.
Coffee with Champions gives teams a simple way to have those conversations together. Lance walks them through each session on video. One of their own people facilitates. The discussion does the rest.
It's built for real organizations with real schedules. Your own team runs it with minimal prep. The longer you keep the rhythm, the more it compounds.
Meet the Founders
Lance has spent 30+ years building businesses and rebuilding from his own rock bottom. His background includes years in ministry and pastoral leadership. It shaped how he sees people: worth investing in, regardless of title or role.
That perspective is in every workshop he writes. The goal is to give people a space where something real can happen.
He lives in Ohio with Jessica. He's up at 4:30 am. Works out every day. And still gets fired up about helping people figure out who they are and what they're capable of.
Jessica has been Lance's partner in business and life since 1993. She co-leads Coffee with Champions and has been part of every decision that has shaped the program into what it is today.
She brings steadiness and care to the work, keeping it grounded and personal. When people feel seen by Coffee with Champions, that's largely her influence.
A few milestones
1993 Lance & Jessica Miller started doing life together.
2007 Founded their consulting business.
2021 First Coffee with Champions workshop launched.
2024 Recognized with "Do Good for Dayton" Award.
2025 Named "Business of the Year"
2026 Used by organizations all over, with over 20,000 connections.
"I am so grateful that I decided to invest in Lance, Jessica, and Coffee with Champions, as this investment has provided my business with a 10x return."
- Nick Seitz, Owner, Firefighter Safe