#31: Building a Coffee Empire with Jacob Jaber of Philz Coffee & Viral Stunts with Joel Lowinger of Human Fountains

What do the Bellagio fountain, America’s Got Talent, and spitting into each other’s mouths have to do with coffee? Well, apparently a lot. In this week’s episode of Something New, we kick things off with a special appearance from Joel Lowinger, Leeor’s former co-founder and the founder of Human Fountains, who shares how his quirky, viral act landed him on America’s Got Talent and how he turned something unconventional into a creative entrepreneurial journey.

We’re then joined by Jacob Jaber, CEO of Philz Coffee, who takes us through the journey of turning his family’s local coffee shop into a beloved national brand. Jacob talks about the importance of maintaining authenticity while scaling, lessons learned along the way, and how community remains at the heart of Philz’s success.

Meanwhile, Steph and Leeor dive into how creativity and uniqueness in business can open unexpected doors—whether it's a viral comedy act or an innovative coffee brand. They discuss how thinking outside the box can shape success and the importance of staying true to what makes your business special.

Don’t forget to follow Leeor on Twitter at https://twitter.com/lmushin and Steph at https://twitter.com/stephmui. Learn more about the Something New podcast at https://somethingnewpod.com.

Key Discussion Points:

• Joel Lowinger’s viral success with Human Fountains and how it led to unexpected opportunities.
• Jacob Jaber’s journey from a family-owned local coffee shop to the CEO of Philz Coffee, a national brand.
• How community and authenticity drive Philz’s success.
• The role of first principles thinking in scaling a business while staying true to its core values.
• Why surrounding yourself with the right team is essential for growth.

Guest Info:

Jacob Jaber is the CEO of Philz Coffee, a community-driven coffee brand that began as a small, local shop founded by his father, Phil Jaber. Jacob has since grown the company into a successful national chain while maintaining the values that made Philz a local favorite. His approach focuses on authenticity, community building, and delivering a unique coffee experience that resonates with customers across the country.

Joel Lowinger is the founder of Human Fountains, a comedy act that gained viral fame through social media and later appeared on America’s Got Talent. Joel turned a quirky performance into an international act, proving that creativity and perseverance can turn the unexpected into success.