Wilmington, North Carolina Amy & Ben Wright are the proud parents of four children — Lillie, Emma Grace, Beau, and Bitty.
Lillie was born with autism, and Bitty & Beau were born with Down syndrome.
With over 80% of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities unemployed nationwide, the Wrights believe that Bitty & Beau’s Coffee creates a path for people with disabilities to become more valued, accepted, and included in every community.
They opened the original coffee shop in January 2016 in Wilmington, NC, and employed 19 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
As advocates for the value, acceptance, and Inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the Wrights have dedicated their lives to making the world a better place for their children and others living with disabilities.
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee has grown to over 23 shops across 12 states with more than 200 workers. Additionally, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee has partnered with corporations to open shops in their world headquarters.
Not Coffee, But A Nationwide Movement
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee has been featured on The Today Show, Rachael Ray, CNN, Harry, Good Morning America, Dr. Oz, HLN, People Magazine, and Southern Living Magazine. Founder, Amy Wright, was named 2017 CNN Hero of the Year.
I admire brands that see a different path forward. According to Statista, there are 61 241 coffee shops in America. Bitty & Beau’s is THE ONLY ONE that hires developmentally disabled people to work in their shops.
The other 61,000 coffee shops talk about their coffee. They use words like organic, fair trade, or sustainable. Bitty & Beaus does something different.
They built this coffee brand through compassion, lovingkindness, and inclusivity.
If you are thinking about starting a business, how can you put your focus somewhere else that no one else is paying attention to? Can you find a meaningful difference that doesn’t talk about the same things as everyone else in the category?
Watch this video to hear this beautiful, unexpected story.
You can set up a time to chat with me about your marketing challenges using my calendar. Email me jeffslater@themarketingsage.com Call me. 919 720 0995. The conversation is free, and we can explore if working together makes sense. Watch a short video about working with me.
Photo and video courtesy of Bitty & Beaus. All rights reserved.
