The $15 Gift Card That Took Us to Germany

How Far Would You Go for a Breakthrough?

Picture this: it’s 2016, and we’re two 22-year-olds with big dreams and a product that wasn’t exactly setting the world on fire.

We were building a SaaS for financial institutions and banks, convinced that if we could just land a proof of concept (POC), everything would change.

The problem? Banks weren’t exactly lining up to take our calls.

Our strategy was simple – contact as many people as possible and pitch relentlessly until someone said yes.

LinkedIn messages? Sent. Cold emails? Written. Follow-ups? Exhausted.

Yet after weeks of grinding, we were stuck.

We needed a win.

Not just for the business, but for our belief in ourselves. What we didn’t know was that our breakthrough wouldn’t come from a pitch deck or a fancy demo – it would come from a cup of coffee.

The Desperation That Sparked an Idea

It started as a half-crazy idea. I remembered reading about how small, thoughtful gestures could get people’s attention. That’s when it hit me: Starbucks gift cards.

I bought a $15 gift card, wrote an email to a lead we had been chasing for weeks, and attached the card with a short, friendly note:

No strings attached. Just a gesture to say, “Hey, we value your time.”

Here’s the kicker: Starbucks gift cards are more than a token of goodwill – they’re a secret weapon. Starbucks notifies you the moment the recipient opens the email or redeems the card. It’s like a digital green light that says, “Now’s your chance.”

The Green Light That Changed Everything

A few hours after hitting send, my inbox pinged: "Your Starbucks gift card email has been opened."

This was my moment. Without missing a beat, I followed up on LinkedIn:

"Hi, just wanted to check if you had a chance to see my email. I’d love to chat about how we can help your team!"

The response came almost immediately. For the first time in months, someone said yes. A phone meeting was scheduled, and just like that, we had our shot.

From Coffee to a Flight to Germany

Within a week, we were on a plane to Germany, standing in the lobby of one of Europe’s largest banks. For seven days, we worked side-by-side with their team, running tests, showcasing features, and pitching our vision.

To say it was surreal would be an understatement.

At 22, we managed to take our scrappy little startup halfway across the world – all because of a $15 Starbucks gift card.

The Twist We Didn’t See Coming

Here’s the part no one tells you: not every breakthrough ends in success. Despite the excitement, the POC didn’t lead to a contract. There were no champagne corks popping or “we made it” moments.

But what we did gain was invaluable – experience, confidence, and a story we would tell for years to come.

The Real Lesson

Looking back, the $15 gift card wasn’t just a clever hack. It was a reminder that big opportunities often come from small, unexpected actions. Sometimes, it’s not about brute force – it’s about thoughtfulness, timing, and a little creativity.

So, the next time you’re staring at a wall that seems unmovable, ask yourself: What’s my $15 Starbucks gift card moment?

Oh, and don’t forget – always follow up after they redeem the coffee. ??