Coffee dates just might be the best way to get to know someone better. You're relaxed in a comfy chair sipping on a drink that you like and moving past small talk with someone sitting next to you. This is also a common interview question that students get asked and I think it's about time we move on from "I'd have to go with George Washington", or even sticking with good ole' Rosa Parks. Let's answer with people who are really the movers and shakers of this time period.
1. Richard Branson
Richard Branson is the founder of the Virgin Group, which is a multinational business made up of more than 400 companies. He is the most independently wealthy person in the world. Look him up, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
2. Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos is a really big mover and shaker for the time being. He is the founder and CEO of Amazon. Starting as a bookseller, moving to video, and now drones, he is one to thank for a major role in today's technology savvy world. He easily transformed the whole market.
3. Elon Musk
Elon Musk is the CEO and CTO of SpaceX, and the CEO of Telsa Motors. He has helped to build electric sports cars and is continuing to build on that product to make even better cars. This South-African born man has also proclaimed that the United States is the greatest country that has ever existed on Earth. So, #Merica and whatnot.
4. Meg Whitman
Thank goodness for good ole' Meg Whitman because she is the CEO of eBay, where the buying and selling of modern times sprouted up. She took over as a female exec of the company (Who run the world? Girls!) and has made eBay what it is today.
5. Richard Saul Wurman
You know all of those fabulously fascinating and mind-blowing TED talks that you listen to and decide that you're going to find the next planet or fun the world? Yeah, you can thank Richard Wurman for creating this company. TED talks are easily one of the best ways to learn about the people out there who are really doing things with their time. I would love to ask him how he came up with this idea for a platform where people can come and share their stories to inspire others.
6. John Maxwell
John Maxwell is the founder of Leadercast. Leader cast is exactly what it sounds like- a leadership conference where big name leaders of this world come and speak to create the ultimate leadership experience.
7. Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban is one of the Sharks on "Shark Tank," the TV show that helps entrepreneurs get started with their companies and businesses. Cuban has done a variety of things business wise. He became a businessman at the young age of 12 when he sold trash bags in order to buy some expensive basketball shoes that you wanted. He invests in tons of companies, most of the time coming out successful because he understands how the market works. A true businessman.
8. Oprah
Need I say more? She is successful with her talk show, actively involved with philanthropies of all kinds, and is a voice for the people. Coming from very little, Oprah understands the real world and that it's not always easy to work your way to the top. She would be one heck of a coffee date.
9. Beyonce
I honestly feel like I don't even have to explain this one...but here are just a few questions I would ask Beyonce on our coffee outing:
1. How does it feel to be one of the most iconic women of all time?
2. What is the best advice you think you could give to sound adults who are trying to achieve their big dreams?
3. What's the biggest hurdle you've ever had to jump over?
10. Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen is easily one of the top people I would want to sit down with and get to know. Her joy radiates off of the TV screen and I have no doubt that she's even greater in person. You can tell that she has a heart of gold and is humble about all that she does, but absolutely hilarious at the same time. She is truly one of a kind.
11. Mark Zuckerberg
Call it cheesy, but I would love to sit down with the guy who has given us one of our biggest social media outlets: Facebook. I don't think anyone expected the company to be what it is today but boy is it booming. He completely changed the way modern life works with the connecting and the sharing and the posting and the chatting. It's amazing to think that this man is one of the co-founders of Facebook, something we all use every day.
