Why I Started Clout Coffee—and Why I'm Back

Coffee has always been more than a morning ritual for me.

It's about the conversations that happen around a cup, the ideas that take shape over one more refill, and the belief that something meaningful can grow from showing up every day and doing the work.

That's why I founded Clout Coffee in 2018.

At the time, there wasn't a shortage of coffee companies. There was a shortage of brands that spoke to the entrepreneur, the dreamer, the builder, and the person willing to put in the work long after everyone else had gone home. I wanted to create a coffee that represented ambition—not just through bold flavor, but through the story behind every bag.

Our tagline, Power Your Grind, comes from a belief I've carried throughout my career: success isn't built overnight. It's built one decision, one relationship, and one day at a time.

Building Something Different

When we began experimenting with authentic bourbon, rum, whisky and rye barrels, we weren't trying to make coffee taste like a cocktail.

We were chasing something more interesting.

Coffee is incredibly complex on its own. Aging green coffee beans inside freshly emptied spirits barrels allows the beans to absorb subtle aromas from the wood and the character left behind by the spirit. The goal has never been to overpower the coffee. It's to create something layered, smooth, and memorable while letting the bean remain the star.

Every barrel tells a different story.

No two batches are exactly alike, and that's part of what makes barrel-aged coffee so special.

A New Chapter

Like many entrepreneurs, my path hasn't been a straight line.

Over the past few years, I've had the opportunity to help grow other businesses, launch new ventures, and work alongside incredible people. Every experience taught me something about branding, relationships, leadership, and what truly creates lasting businesses.

Those lessons have brought me back to where it all started.

Returning to Clout Coffee isn't about revisiting the past. It's about building on the foundation we created and taking the brand even further than I originally imagined.

Today, I'm proud to work alongside Brian and Alicia, whose passion and commitment have continued to move Clout Coffee forward. Together, we're focused on honoring what made Clout special while introducing new ideas, collaborations, and experiences for our customers.

More Than Coffee

I've always believed the best businesses don't simply sell products.

They create community.

Whether you're launching your first business, leading a growing team, writing your next chapter, or simply enjoying a quiet morning before the world wakes up, I hope every cup reminds you that meaningful things are built through consistency.

That's what the grind is really about.

Not the hustle for hustle's sake.

The daily commitment to becoming a little better than yesterday.

Looking Ahead

We're just getting started.

You'll see new barrel-aged releases, behind-the-scenes stories from our roasting process, collaborations with incredible partners, and a deeper look into the craftsmanship behind every batch we produce.

Thank you for being part of this journey—whether you've been with us since 2018 or you've only recently discovered Clout Coffee.

Here's to what's next.

And here's to putting a little more Clout in your cup.

— Carole Sprunk
Founder & Chief Marketing Officer, Clout Coffee