Coffee Mornings Los Angeles

The Say-Do Gap: Why Execution Breaks Down—and How to Fix It

Join us for a candid and highly practical session with Dr. Dmitri Kossakovski, an engineering and business leader who has spent his career working in environments where execution failure isn’t just costly—it can derail products, delay critical systems, and cost companies their competitive edge. From NASA/JPL to Fortune 500 companies to venture-backed startups, Dmitri has operated at the intersection of deep technology and real-world delivery across domains including automotive, medtech, sensors, and advanced materials. And across all of these environments, he kept seeing the same pattern: Teams that look productive on paper—but quietly drift off course week after week. Plans are made. Status updates are shared. Progress appears to be happening. But underneath it all, the gap between what’s said and what actually gets done continues to widen. Instead of accepting this as the norm, Dmitri began tracking that gap. What started as a simple weekly habit—recording what was planned, what actually happened, and what comes next—evolved into a lightweight system he now calls the “Say-Do Gap,” and a tool he describes as a “Project Reality Ledger.” In this session, Dr. Kossakovski will break down the methodology behind the Say-Do approach, explain why simple tracking habits often outperform complex project management systems, and share what he learned building a product on nights and weekends while leading high-stakes R&D organizations. This is not a talk about theory—it’s a practical framework for anyone who wants to execute more effectively in the real world. Whether you’re leading a team, building a company, or simply trying to execute more effectively in your own work, you’ll walk away with a practical approach you can apply immediately. *** ## **About the Speaker** Dr. Dmitri Kossakovski works at the intersection of deep technology and strategic business development, with over 20 years of experience spanning R&D leadership, technology partnerships, licensing, and M&A. He holds a PhD in Physical Chemistry from Caltech and an MS in Applied Physics from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, along with an Executive MBA from the Drucker School. His career spans NASA/JPL, Fortune 500 companies, and venture-backed startups across domains including semiconductor materials, advanced coatings, thermal systems, sensors, and medical devices. On the business side, he has negotiated more than 25 transactions—including licensing agreements, research partnerships, and M&A—with organizations such as MIT, KAIST, Kyocera, Infineon, the DOE, and DARPA. He co-founded Pacific Scanning Corp (acquired by Agilent Technologies) and was part of the leadership team behind a successful exit at iGlass Technology. He currently contributes to strategic investment initiatives in medical innovation and serves on the boards of multiple startups. He is the author of 30+ U.S. patents.

Scaling SaaS Right Now: Lessons from the Frontlines

Today’s environment is forcing SaaS founders and operators to rethink not just what they build—but how they build, deliver, and scale it. Join us for a candid, discussion-driven session with Bryan Walley, CEO & Co-founder of Forward Inheritance, as we explore what it takes to grow a SaaS venture in today’s rapidly shifting landscape. Bryan is has built Forward Inheritance, a platform designed to bring clarity and structure to one of the most complex and emotionally charged areas families face—inheritance and legacy planning. The idea didn’t start as a business—it started as a personal need. Faced with navigating estate planning within his own family, Bryan saw firsthand the lack of simple, secure, and transparent tools to organize information, communicate clearly, and align across generations. So he built one. Today, Forward is evolving that solution into a broader platform that helps families move from confusion and avoidance to clarity and preparedness—combining secure document management, financial tools, and guided collaboration. In this session, Bryan will share how his team is approaching: * Building and positioning a SaaS product in a nuanced, human-centered problem space * Rethinking product delivery and user experience in today’s market * Navigating the intersection of fintech, family dynamics, and long-term planning * Lessons learned while scaling in an environment that demands adaptability This won’t be a one-way presentation—it’s an opportunity to exchange ideas, compare approaches, and learn from others navigating similar challenges. Whether you're building, scaling, advising, investing—or simply interested in how SaaS is evolving—this session offers a practical and timely perspective on what’s working right now. **Networking** Come early to connect with fellow founders, technologists, creatives, and community members. Friday Coffee Meetup is as much about the people in the room as it is about the conversation on stage. *** ## **About the Speaker** Bryan Walley is CEO & Co-founder of Forward Inheritance and a technology and business leader with a proven track record of building and delivering software-driven solutions across a range of industries, including financial services. His experience spans the full lifecycle of innovation—from early concept and product development through go-to-market execution and operational scale. With a background that bridges technology, business strategy, and execution, Bryan has led initiatives across software development, product management, strategic partnerships, and business growth. At Forward Inheritance, Bryan is focused on helping families navigate inheritance and legacy planning through tools that promote clarity, communication, and proactive

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Morning Coffee

Friday morning coffee

Weekly Board Game Hang

Welcome back to our weekly Wednesday board game hang (previously as Nightcap Collective)! These gatherings exist to help you meet new people while doing something fun. Come on by between 6:30-9:30 pm and play from our collection, or bring your own favorites. We are no longer charging a cover but PLEASE pitch in by buying food and/or a drink from our coffee bar so we can keep the lights on and hangs happening 🙏 All skill levels and board game interests welcome - whether you're a beginner or advanced, looking for intense strategy or short, lighthearted games. We've got plenty of tables to group up by interest, meet your neighbor, and have a good time.

Christmas in July Escape Room

I (Melissa) have celebrated Christmas in July as a silly made up holiday for over a decade! I'm keeping the tradition going here at the Rock. This year, we're putting together a popup escape room at the shop. We'll split into 2 teams to compete to "escape" first, then celebrate afterward over some board games and hanging out. Your $10 ticket secures your spot since this is a small-scale event, and includes your drink of choice from the coffee bar! Christmas-y outfits encouraged but not required 🎄

The name says it all... Gritz N Wafflez!

I learned about this place in this LA Times article (https://www.latimes.com/food/list/best-los-angeles-restaurants-weekend-brunch-guide) and knew we had to try it. It's in the city but sounds like authentic soul food, Let's find out! https://www.gritznwafflez.com/menu As always, please - PLEASE - keep your RSVP current because we have reservations and want to honor them. And be sure to use the waitlist as people always drop out. Don't forget your $1 fee as well as cash to help make settling the check easier. Give yourselves time for traffic and parking. Todd 310-379-6771

Los Angeles Riverfront Bike & Coffee

Welcome to our scenic riverfront bike ride and coffee meetup! Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just looking for a relaxed morning out, this event is for you. All ages and skill levels are welcome to join us for a gentle ride along the beautiful riverfront paths, followed by a cozy coffee break together. We'll start with a short meet-and-greet, then pedal at a leisurely pace, taking in the views and making stops for photos and chats. After the ride, we'll head to a nearby café to enjoy complimentary refreshments and continue the conversation. It's a perfect opportunity to connect with fellow bike enthusiasts and make new friends. - **Cost:** Completely Free! - **Refreshments:** Complimentary snacks and drinks will be provided at the café after the ride. - **What to bring:** Just your bike, helmet, and a water bottle. Dress comfortably for the weather. Spaces are limited, so please RSVP to secure your spot. We can't wait to ride and sip with you!

Friday Night Prayers | Worship • Word • Prayer 📍 – Brea, CA

Join us this Friday night for an intimate Prayer Night —a space set apart for worship, the Word, and unified prayer. This gathering is for anyone who wants to slow down, seek God together, and experience the power of coming into agreement as a community. Whether you come carrying burdens, gratitude, questions, or simply a desire to be in God’s presence, you are welcome here. We’ll spend the evening with: • 🙌 Live worship • 📖 A short, encouraging word • 🤍 Guided and open prayer • ☕ A warm, welcoming atmosphere “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” — Matthew 18:20 No pressure. No performance. Just real people coming together in faith. Come as you are. Bring a friend. Let’s pray together. 📍 Location: 2435 Imperial Hwy, Unit A Brea, CA 92821

LA Brunch Social: Meet New Friends

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Los Angeles Brunch Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new brunch spots in your city, together. \* Curated brunch venues with good food and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your brunch group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on Meetup.com is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

Coworking in Culver City!

This is a relaxed Sunday coworking meetup for anyone looking to get focused on a Sunday afternoon or evening and finish the tasks you've been meaning to do before the week starts - maybe finally start that novel, screenplay, or business idea, or just get your billing done. We'll begin each meetup with a few minutes to grab a coffee and chat about what everyone is working on before transitioning into quiet, focused work for a couple of hours. There will be a break in the middle to fill up on drinks, recharge for a bit, and chat. Those who stay until the end are also welcome to chat and share what they worked on before heading home.