Leadership Lessons from Indra Nooyi: Transforming Small Business Ownership and Coffeepreneurship

Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, is a legendary business leader whose leadership lessons have inspired entrepreneurs and business coaches worldwide. Her leadership style, focused on long-term vision, adaptability, and authenticity, has shaped PepsiCo into a global powerhouse. As a small business owner or coffeepreneur, learning from Indra’s approach can elevate your leadership game and drive your business to new heights.

Leadership is about more than just managing a team; it’s about empowering others, fostering a culture of growth, and leading with integrity. For small business owners, applying leadership principles like those of Indra Nooyi can be the difference between surviving and thriving in today’s competitive landscape. Whether you're scaling a coffee business or seeking to inspire your team, adopting these leadership lessons can guide you in creating a purposeful, successful organization.

Indra’s ability to adapt to market changes, invest in her team, and balance profits with purpose is something every business coach and coffeepreneur should strive to emulate. By leading with authenticity, developing your team, and staying focused on a clear vision, you can build a sustainable and profitable business.

Start applying leadership strategies from Indra Nooyi to your small business today, and watch your success grow—one decision at a time. Article by Brandon Ivan Pena

Unlocking Leadership: 7 Habits That Can Transform Your Business

Great leadership starts with ownership, vision, and collaboration. Here are 7 habits from Stephen Covey that can elevate your leadership today:

1. Be Proactive: Take responsibility and drive solutions before problems arise.

2. Begin with the End in Mind: Align every decision with your long-term vision.

3. Put First Things First: Focus on what matters most to your goals.

4. Think Win-Win: Create mutually beneficial situations for everyone involved.

5. Seek First to Understand: Listen to your team before offering your thoughts.

6. Synergize: Leverage your team's strengths to create better results together.

7. Sharpen the Saw: Invest in your personal growth to stay a strong, effective leader.

By applying these habits, you’ll build a stronger, more effective team and lead with purpose.

Discover Andy Grove's "Only the Paranoid Survive" strategy, the secret weapon behind tech giants like Apple & Meta. Learn how to apply this proactive, adaptable mindset to your business, even a hair salon, and thrive in today's dynamic market.

Are you tired of the endless hustle? As entrepreneurs, we're often told that working more hours equals more success. But at soybrandon.com and 787 Coffee, we've learned that's a myth. True success comes from working smarter, not harder. That's why I developed the ABCDE Framework – a proven system for business process simplification and reclaiming your time. Learn how to automate tasks, delegate effectively, and eliminate time-wasting activities to achieve exponential growth and work-life balance. Discover how to build a business that runs itself using practical strategies and real-world examples from successful entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Stop chasing the "hustle" myth and start building a sustainable, scalable business today.

Tired of working endless hours and barely seeing a profit? Many Latin entrepreneurs struggle to turn their passion into a sustainable income. Discover 8 real strategies to break free from the 'struggle cycle' and finally make money with your business. Learn how to niche down, price strategically, and build a powerful online presence. [Read More]

Excerpt: Building Confidence as a Coffee Shop Leader

Becoming a great leader at 787 Coffee isn’t about making instant changes or jumping into bold initiatives right away. It’s about building trust and confidence with your team over time. Leadership is a marathon, not a sprint, and it takes patience, consistency, and a thoughtful approach.

Start by setting a steady pace—don’t rush. Focus on a few important initiatives that show your team you have a clear direction. Make sure your leadership team is strong, aligned, and ready to support your vision. Communication is key—talk to your team regularly, and make sure they understand where you're headed. By picking your battles carefully, fostering a strong team culture, and always working on improving yourself, you’ll create an environment where your team feels heard, supported, and confident in your leadership.

Remember, earning your team’s trust takes time, but it’s the key to long-term success. When you build that confidence, your team will not only follow you but thrive under your leadership.

Sales isn’t about pushing customers into decisions—it’s about guiding them. As a coffeepreneur and business coach, I’ve learned that the key to successful sales is solving problems, not creating pressure. When you fix a customer’s problem, you create value, and when they see that value, a “YES” becomes easy. Certainty and value are the two most important things you can offer. If your customers feel confident in their decision and understand how your product solves their problem, they won’t hesitate to buy.

Take, for example, a customer who comes in for a latte at 787 Coffee but leaves with a coffee bag. By asking the right questions, highlighting the value of bringing that same great coffee experience home, and offering simple solutions, you can guide them toward purchasing without forcing it. Remember, sales isn’t about the hard sell—it’s about showing customers the results they can expect and giving them the certainty that they’re making the right choice.

Excerpt from "What is Leadership? And Who is a Leader?"

By Brandon Ivan Peña

Leadership isn’t just about titles or authority—it’s about human connection, vision, and simplicity. Whether you’re leading at home, in the workplace, or in your community, leadership starts with one core principle: putting people first. It’s about seeing potential, empowering others, and creating a shared vision that everyone can rally behind.

At 787 Coffee, we’ve learned that leadership isn’t confined to business. It’s a mindset that applies to every part of life. Leaders are those who recognize that things can be better, who can break down complex challenges, and who guide their teams toward solutions with empathy and clarity. Leadership isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistent improvement, celebrating small wins, and growing together.

As a business coach and a leader in both business and life, I’ve seen firsthand how defining leadership is crucial to building a thriving team, whether at work or at home. Leadership is about being human, showing up for people, and guiding them through challenges while celebrating every step forward. It’s a process of progress, not perfection, and it’s something we can all embody in our own unique way.

Brandon Ivan Peña lives by the mantra "Less is More," a philosophy that shapes not just his lifestyle but his approach to business. His all-black wardrobe and minimalist home design reflect his belief that simplicity leads to clarity and focus. This same mindset is infused into every corner of 787 Coffee, where intentionality is key. It’s about creating spaces that are not cluttered with distractions, allowing for more productivity, creativity, and connection. Want to learn more about Brandon's minimalist approach and how it can elevate your own life and business? Subscribe to his newsletter and stay in touch for exclusive workshops and webinars to help you simplify and amplify your impact.

Bad Bunny isn't just a music icon—he's a marketing genius who knows how to connect with his audience on a deeper level. Learn how his Debí Tirar Más Fotos album launch generated millions and how you can apply these marketing strategies to your own life and business. In this article, discover the power of emotional connections, creating universal appeal, and thinking outside the box to make a real impact. let analyst what Bad Bunny did for Puerto Rico in 24 hours.