Durand Henderson is a United States Air Force veteran and the founder of Day & Night Coffee, a veteran-owned small-batch coffee roasting startup. His path from military service to UTC’s Gary W. Rollins College of Business to the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program (VEP) is a story about pivoting. It’s something that was brought up numerous times during his week at VEP and one that has defined nearly every chapter of his life.
From air control to entrepreneur
Durand began his Air Force career in the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) pipeline before transitioning into civil engineering. He completed numerous temporary duty assignments across the United States and overseas, including deployments connected to Kuwait and Qatar. He worked alongside coalition forces, building his leadership, adaptability and ability to solve problems under pressure. After completing his service in 2018, he worked in construction, ran a consulting business helping people set up nurseries and served as a volunteer firefighter. He enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 2022 to study economics with a minor in political science.
Thanks to connections at the Gary W. Rollins College of Business, Durand was introduced to the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program. He knew that applying to VEP would be a top priority following his graduation from UTC. During his time as a student, he learned from professors like Dr. Claudia Kramer, the Probasco Chair of Free Enterprise. Her instruction reshaped how he thought about business. She helped him think through forecasting and sustainable practices as he took steps to launch a business.
Day & Night Coffee is currently in the startup stage. Durand is actively developing its branding, roasting operations, packaging, product line and sales channels. Every element of the business is rooted in a commitment to service, craftsmanship, community and respect for the farmers and growers who make great coffee possible.
His startup focuses on high-quality, small-batch roasted whole bean and ground coffee with an emphasis on single-origin and organic selections. Beyond the product, the company is built around education. They offer classes to the community about good coffee — both in flavor and ethics.
The program that changed the game
Durand expected VEP to be “death by PowerPoint.” Instead, the first lesson was pivoting — a direct echo of the military’s “adapt and overcome.” He’d originally planned to sell coffee direct-to-consumer. After finding roughly 50 competing coffee spots across Chattanooga and North Georgia, VEP’s focus on differentiation steered him toward a business-to-business model. Part of that differentiation was something he’d resisted, leaning into his identity as a veteran. He also sharpened his strategy, describing coffee cupping sessions as a “two-touch” opportunity. It’s a team-building event that doubles as an introduction to his coffee. What struck him most was the access it gave him: time in front of lenders, investors and donors, plus an MBA-level crash course from UTC’s own faculty, all at no cost.
He credits Dean Robert Dooley for introducing him to VEP. He was accepted into the 2026 cohort, completed five weeks of online curriculum, followed by an eight-day intensive bootcamp. At the conclusion of the program, Durand was recognized with the Entrepreneurial Spirit award because of his enthusiasm, engagement and encouragement to his fellow veteran entrepreneurs.
Durand walked across the stage in December 2025 with his undergraduate degree in hand, but VEP is what turned that milestone into momentum. The hands-on training pushed his business plan further than he expected.
Learn more about the Veterans Entrepreneurship Program.
Leave a Reply