Navigating the Hill: A Day in the Life of a Compass Coffee Marketer
As a 23-year-old living in DC not working on the Hill, I’ve often felt like an outlier. Around here, if you’re my age, chances are you’re working on the Hill, for a lobbying firm, or as a consultant for something I don’t understand. But one Tuesday morning, I found myself trading my usual baggy jeans and Reeboks for something resembling business casual. Why? Because I was headed to the Hill with my CEO, Michael, to share real-world use cases for cryptocurrency on behalf of small businesses like Compass Coffee. Spoiler alert: I learned a lot that day—and not just about crypto.
Morning Prep: Am I Business Casual or Just Underdressed?
The first hurdle? Business casual.
At Compass, my daily uniform consists of a bare face, comfy jeans, a sweater, and sneakers. But that morning, I stared at myself in the mirror wearing dress pants, a black jacket with gold buttons, and boots. Did I look professional or like I was heading to a funeral? Unclear. But time was ticking, so I went with it.
The moment I stepped off the Metro, I realized I had no idea where I was—a humbling moment for someone who thought they knew DC pretty well. The Hill felt like a college campus, but instead of students in sweatpants and Lululemon, I was surrounded by young professionals in suits and pencil skirts. Everyone looked so put-together and important, and I immediately felt like I was playing dress-up.
First Impressions: Marble Halls and Rat Tales
The Capitol building was nothing short of impressive: soaring columns, marble floors, and deep oak doors. The sound of clacking heels echoed in the hallways, and people spoke in hushed, formal tones like they were narrating a PBS documentary. Meanwhile, I was quietly panicking about whether my demeanor screamed coffee marketer lost on a field trip.
Our first meeting was with a staffer only a few years older than me. She completely owned the room, casually talking about crypto legislation and—shockingly—that Humane Rescue Alliance program called Blue Collar Cats, where cats are used to tackle rat infestations. (Yes, that’s real.) At this point, I realized I hadn’t said a word in over an hour. Not because I was uninterested, but because I didn’t feel like I had anything valuable to add. I knew what Compass was doing with crypto, like paying our coffee farmers in El Salvador with Bitcoin, but beyond that? I was out of my depth.
Coffee Break: Back in My Element
After our first meeting, Michael and I stopped by Compass Coffee’s Navy Yard café for a breather. The moment I walked in, everything changed. The smell of freshly brewed coffee, Barry White playing over the speakers, and the friendly chaos of customers ordering lattes made me feel at home. I caught up with one of our managers, Mehdi, cracked jokes with regulars, and, of course, pet every dog that came through the door. For a few minutes, I was back in my element.
I asked Michael for a crash course on crypto so I wouldn’t feel completely out of place in our next meeting. He explained Stablecoin, Coinbase, and how crypto could revolutionize small businesses. With Stablecoin businesses could pay employees faster, and cut expensive credit card fees for themselves and their customers. Suddenly, I didn’t feel completely clueless heading into our next meeting. More importantly, I realized why it was crucial for us to be there: Compass Coffee wasn’t just talking about crypto—we were showing how a small business could use it, reinforcing our brand as innovative and community-focused.
Small Business vs. The Suits
As the day went on, I noticed a shift. At first, people seemed to underestimate Michael. After all, he wasn’t a typical lobbyist or politician—he was a small business owner. But when he started explaining how Compass could use Stablecoin to simplify operations and support employees, suddenly he was the star of every meeting. Michael’s real-life examples were exactly what lawmakers needed. Lobbyists bring data, but small businesses bring humanity. His demo of how Stablecoin would work in our app gave lawmakers the real-life example they’d been missing. It was like watching a lightbulb go off in every room we entered.
Final Takeaways: Finding My Place
The day ended with a ride on the underground subway that connects the House and Senate buildings and meeting the most precious cream dachshund named Lemon. As I reflected on the experience, I realized how important our presence as a small business was. Lobbyists can bring facts and figures, but a small business owner brings humanity and a tangible case study. That’s what lawmakers needed to see.
Everyone on the Hill seems to have their life together, but scratch the surface, and they’re just as human as the rest of us—rat infestations and all. What stood out to me during the day was how small businesses bring something unique to the table: a tangible, real-world perspective that data and talking points simply can’t replicate. My job might not have the polished shine of “Hill staffer,” but I get to be creative, connect with people, and contribute to a brand that builds community. Honestly, that’s pretty cool.
So, to anyone out there feeling like the odd one out in a city full of suits and briefcases: embrace it. You don’t have to fit the mold to make an impact. Just show up as yourself—even if you’re not entirely sure what “business casual” means.
