At Recovery Beans, our mission has always been about more than just coffee. We’re here to brew hope and create meaningful connections for the mental health and recovery communities in Tampa Bay. Recently, we were honored to have our journey and story highlighted by the Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida in a thoughtful blog post.
The feature delves into how our dream became a reality—transforming from a passion project into a thriving coffee business with a deeper purpose. As both a licensed mental health counselor and a registered nurse in long-term recovery, we (Alex and Alison Kawliche) envisioned Recovery Beans as a bridge between our love for coffee and our dedication to helping others heal. And yes, the recovery community loves coffee as much as we do!
Starting a business wasn’t easy, but with the guidance of the Florida SBDC at USF, we were able to break down barriers. From creating a solid business plan to understanding permits, taxes, and networking strategies, the support we received from their team (shoutout to our amazing consultant Christine Jaros!) has been a cornerstone of our success. Their insight wasn’t just practical—it was emotional encouragement that helped us stay on track.
Growing Beyond Coffee
Since launching, we’ve grown not only in sales but in the partnerships and connections that make this journey worthwhile. Recovery Beans has become a space for shared stories, collaboration, and uplifting those who face challenges due to stigma or discrimination. We’re excited to continue working with the Florida SBDC at USF as we expand our reach and deepen our impact.
A Heartfelt Thanks
We’re incredibly grateful for this feature and the support we’ve received. Want to learn more about our story? Check out the Florida SBDC’s blog and video to hear how Recovery Beans continues to blend passion, purpose, and coffee into a brighter future for our community.
Final Sip of Advice
To our fellow entrepreneurs: remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s recovery, starting a business, or brewing the perfect cup of coffee, collaboration makes all the difference. (And trust us, Alison reminds Alex of this daily!)
Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being part of our journey. Together, let’s keep brewing hope. ☕💚
#RecoveryBeans #MentalHealthMatters #BrewHopeDrinkRecovery #SBDCSuccess #TampaBayBusiness