Former A&M DB Floyd Raven launches buzzing coffee business

Key notes from Floyd Raven interview

• There were two different coaching styles between Sherman and Sumlin. Sherman was straightforward and more of the professional coach, and Sumlin was more your friend, but also a coach as well. It works hand in hand. Some players may need more of a players coach. Other players need that coach that has that stern backing behind them. When Sumlin came in, it wasn’t a big change for me because I like more of a players coach. I loved Sherman though. He was one of the big reasons I came to A&M. You learn about your coach. Sumlin came in and was very personal. He made sure you knew you were part of a family. Ultimately, he kind of became a father figure for you.
   
• It’s been a wild ride. I’m definitely enjoying it. 2014 was my last season at A&M. So, I went full force for the NFL. Within that first year, my wife and I were down in Cincinnati on a date. We stumbled upon a coffee festival and it was the best experience. I realized just how big the coffee industry was. It felt like game day, all the people there. I got invited into a booth and a guy walked me through everything about the art of making coffee. We ended up leaving, and I told my wife that I think I wanted to get into coffee. I remember I went to the Patriots one time and I was going through the playbook when my phone went off. I looked, and it was a coffee ad. I zoned out and was looking at it and didn’t hear my coach calling my name. He asked what I was looking at and I had to stand up and tell everyone I was looking at coffee. I ended up leaving the Patriots and went to the Bengals. My wife and I have kids and it just got to the point where I was analyzing things and wanted to turn the corner to step into a new realm.
   
• I thought, what am I going to call this company? I have to have some uniqueness about it. My wife and I were bouncing ideas off each other and I mentioned I wanted to do a sports theme. Coffee gets you up. That’s why you drink it. I want that hype feel when you step on the court, the mound, or the football field. We have to create that type of energy with this. My wife came up with “Last Shot,” relating it to the last shot of a game. It also related to this being my last shot to create something for the family. A last shot for a new beginning. A last shot to step into a new realm. So, we ran with that idea and wanted to add more to the name. We decided to use “espresso” but change it to “Xpresso” to make it cool.
   
• When I went to the NFL, I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I stumbled upon coffee. It’s been a big blessing. Look, when you pray, you have to meet God half way. I think of it as a 50/50 scale. You pray about it, and God’s going to come that 50%, but you have to put in that other hard work and dedication.
   
• The easiest way to grab this coffee is going online to lastshotxpresso.com. You can also go to Aggieland outfitters on University. The new A&M hotel now has the bags and the k-cups in the shopping center. It was crazy with the A&M hotel. The website was live, but I didn’t tell anyone about it. I was on Instagram, and I saw the ad for the hotel. I reached out, they got back to me, and someone else contacted me. We met in person and I shared all my ideas. I left them some coffee and I gave my word that I would give 100%. Soon after, I was sent an order and we made it happen.
   
• Looking back, I’m very thankful I’m an Aggie. Besides just sports, you need that backing and that family behind you. That’s what Aggies are. I got my first big contract with Aggies. I got my product in Aggieland Outfitters. That was the big staple. It’s bringing opportunity for my company. I know what Aggies do. Once I get to that level where I can give a helping hand, I’m definitely doing that same thing because love was showed to me. That’s what it means to be an Aggie.