Christy Deen: Taking a Chance on a Dream

For commuters driving in and out of Atlanta every day, it’s easy to get stressed out by accidents and congested highways—not to mention the busy workday and the daily deadlines that come with it. One coffee shop tries to bring a little peace and joy to that frenzy with gourmet coffee on the go. What’s better than the intoxicating smell and taste of fresh-roasted espresso to soothe your nerves?   

Since 2013, Drip-Thru Coffee has been bringing high-quality and convenient coffee to Atlanta area commuters. It draws on the tradition of gourmet drive-through coffee stands in the Pacific Northwest and pairs that with a commitment to the local community and a passion for hospitality amid a busy commuter culture. 

Drip-Thru Coffee came entirely from Christy Deen’s hard work and ambition. After more than 25 years working in the food and beverage industry at venues like Walt Disney World and the Atlanta airport, she decided it was time to go into business for herself.

“I decided I wanted to work just as hard—actually harder—and build something of my own!” said Deen. “I truly just wanted to do something for myself.” And so she got to work sharing her passion for hospitality with Atlanta commuters. 

Deen is showing drivers in Atlanta that you don’t have to choose convenience over quality when it comes to coffee. The Drip-Thru Coffee drive-through coffee stand gets people the gourmet coffee or tea they want without having to wait. And that’s not all they do, either. 

Drip-Thru Coffee is a small business rooted in the community and committed to “loving local.” Deen uses local vendors and suppliers as much as possible and sources her coffee from Cafe Campesino, a Georgia organization that imports organic, fair-trade coffee from Guatemala.  

Drip-Thru then offers that fresh, high-quality coffee with the convenience of a drive-through. Drivers order, pay, and pick up their coffee at the same window. 

Incredible customer service is also a crucial part of what they offer. The friendly and compassionate baristas help make the morning a little easier and a little more joyful for each customer. 

Deen loves being her own boss, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. One of the biggest challenges she faces is maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Deen said she’d learned the importance of “making time for yourself [and your] family, and remembering that some things can simply wait.” 

Running a business will take a lot out of you, but it shouldn’t take everything. You have to be dedicated to carving out time for your other priorities when necessary.   

Deen’s advice for new small business owners is to “never stop learning!” It’s so valuable for your business and for your own growth to keep learning about new things, meeting new people, and having new experiences. “Take classes, webinars, read books, attend city meetings in the prospective town you want to open up shop in, and network.” 

And Deen doesn’t get by without a bit of help sometimes, either. Her vision and passion are supported by the hardworking people at 1-800Accountant. 

“It has been a lifesaver!” said Deen. “It fits our small business budget, and I truly enjoy the availability of support when I have questions or need financial advice about the business.” 

Running a small business requires connecting with your community and investing in those relationships, both in-person and virtual. 1-800Accountant is honored to be a part of that community.