In 2024, despite a successful career in finance and years of service in the Army National Guard, Michael Palladini found himself searching for something more fulfilling. Like many before him, he found inspiration abroad. While visiting his grandfather in Italy, Michael noticed an entire country slow down to enjoy a good cup of coffee. “Why can’t we have that here?” Michael wondered. It was during another trip — this time to Austin, TX — he answered that question and found a new path for his future in an unlikely place: a machine that dispenses high quality, cold brew coffee by the ounce.  

Michael’s love for coffee began with family traditions. As a kid, he served his grandmother’s Café Colao on his grandfather’s food truck in Puerto Rico. So, when he ran into the machine in Austin, Michael quickly spotted an opportunity to combine a passion for coffee and community with his desire to do something different in his career.  

After returning to Connecticut, Michael began his research. He bought his first machine, started playing around with branding, and even opened an LLC. Armed with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Michael thought he was prepared to start his own business, but he still had questions. He wondered, “How does funding work? How does this business plan get put together? What resources are available for small business owners in Connecticut?” Those questions are par for the course when opening a new business, but there was one question that stood out: How do you classify a machine that dispenses coffee by the ounce? Is it a food service business? Is it a vending machine? The Department of Economic Community Development (DECD) pointed Michael to Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC) for the answers. 

At CTSBDC, Michael was paired with advisor Jon Carlisle, who quickly helped answer the questions standing between Michael and launching TapThat Vending, which brings sleek, user-friendly nitro cold brew machines to shared experiences, transforming businesses, events, and gatherings into hubs of energy, creativity, and connection.  

Jon not only helped Michael with his business plan, weighed in on logo options, and answered questions about resources and funding; he helped the entrepreneur determine that TapThat is, indeed recognized as a “vending company” to then secure the appropriate license with the introduction of a contact at the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Food and Standards Division. Once that was determined, Jon was able to help Michael navigate the licensing process — and get certified as a veteran-owned business — allowing him to install his first machine in a barber shop in Enfield.   

It was soon thereafter that Michael joined the 2025 UConn Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans and eventually won a $10,000 grant through the program’s pitch competition. With the exception of this grant, TapThat has been entirely self-funded, and has grown to four machines which offer flexible payment options and reside in spaces like gyms and corporate offices. Michael also rents the machines for parties and other events, letting people bring a premium, non-alcoholic beverage option to almost any setting. On Oct. 4, TapThat teamed up with Epic Gym and Luppoleto Brewery for a one-of-a-kind launch party featuring a mashup of fitness, coffee, and community.  

Earlier this year, Michael, who previously worked for the federal government, took a buy-out option, and though that initially felt like a setback, it has provided the time he needed to focus on growing the business. In this next stage, CTSBDC connections and expertise will be crucial.  

“Michael is positioned to access capital heading into 2026, so he can continue to scale and expand in other markets throughout Connecticut,” says Jon of his client. “TapThat has successfully launched, gained traction via generating revenue and will soon achieve the milestone of being in business for two years, all of which is critical for loan-preparation and future introductions to favorable loan programs, lender introductions, and even more grant opportunities.” 

Michael has big plans and is in the process of closing a corporate deal which will be the largest in the company’s short history. Once that is finalized, he wants to take some time to dig into the data and decide what’s next. So, what’s potentially on the horizon? Expanding into the Hartford area and throughout Central Connecticut to start. After that, he wants to expand throughout the state, offering different products. Michael has big dreams for the future of TapThat, but his advisor is always there to keep him focused on the matter at hand: “Jon always lets me know when I need to look a little deeper into something.” And it’s that expertise that will prove valuable as Michael looks to expand the business in the coming years.