In December, we introduced readers to a new community coffee shop Be Kind Coffee Co. And five months later, they aren’t just brewing coffee and kindness is overflowing from the shop.
Mother-daughter team, Natalie and Amanda Gogolak, along with the rest of the family, have carved a niche for themselves and developed quite a reputation in the process. Be Kind Coffee Co. has built a business out of giving back to the community with monthly donations and charity support.
“Our coffee shop is based on Proverbs 31:26, explained Amanda. “It says, ‘She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.’ We took decades of hospitality and kindness that happened around our own family kitchen and brought it to the Be Kind Coffee Co. What happened next has been nothing short of amazing – proof that God has been writing every page of this story.”
Natalie nodded in agreement. “Amanda and I have been blessed beyond measure. We expected to bring kindness to the customers, but instead, they’ve embraced our mission and bring it to us every time they walk in the door!”
Within five months, the Gogolak family has partnered with local businesses and people in need. “We have a Year-Round Giving Tree in the store,” said Natalie, “The tree tells customers of our focus. In December we worked with the Bethesda Center for the Homeless. Thanks to our customers’ generosity in our first month of business, we were able to gift them over $500 in cash and another $500 in toiletries and other sundries for the shelter.
“We’ve donated over 200 cupcakes to the hard-hit COVID departments at Novant,” Natalie continued, “Including 200 handwritten notes of encouragement to the Health Care Heroes who have worked so hard for the last year.”
Amanda chimed in, “The list goes on! We’ve accomplished so much more than we thought we would in such a short time, but we can’t take the credit. God is behind all of this and using our incredibly generous customers to make it happen. Every morning, I pray on the way to work for God to bring someone who needs us. And through that – we were even able to dedicate our April focus to a local woman in need.”
“Our Pay It Forward Board has been such a great blessing too, and our customers have really enjoyed it,” said Natalie. “We have customers who come in and realize they have forgotten their wallet, or they are running short, but they can still get their coffee – thanks to the generosity of those who are willing to offer a random act of kindness to someone in need. We had hoped to inspire others but find that we are the ones who are inspired. This is an amazing community.”
Amanda said, “The business has exceeded our wildest expectations and reminded us of this truth – ‘If you can reach your dreams without God, then they’re just not big enough.’ This is His doing, not ours.”
“Sure, we are business owners, but our mission is kindness,” Natalie said. “Coffee is just the vehicle by which we serve kindness every day.”
Be Kind Coffee Co. is located at 3560 Clemmons Road, Ste B in Clemmons. Call the store at 336.893.9892, or email them at [email protected]. Be sure to like Be Kind Coffee Co. on Facebook and follow them on Instagram! Cookie trays and gift baskets must be ordered one week in advance.
SIDEBAR
Be sure to check out the seasonal drink menu at Be Kind Coffee Co. as well as the ever-changing assortment of delicious baked goods, including gluten-free and vegan options.
