At Brew & Bond, everything starts with a simple idea: bringing conversation back to coffee. For centuries, coffee houses served as the backdrop for big ideas, chance encounters, and communities forming around a shared cup. Today, our goal is to recreate that same sense of connection, making the ritual of brewing coffee at home more accessible, less intimidating, and ultimately more meaningful.

What Is Brew & Bond?

Brew & Bond was founded by three hometown friends, Alex Manka, Jack Garbatowicz, and me, Jack Clemens, a Kelley senior. What started as casual conversations over coffee quickly grew into something bigger: a lifestyle brand rooted in the belief that coffee is the best catalyst for connection.

We drew inspiration from history. In the 17th and 18th centuries, coffeehouses were known as “penny universities,” places where people from all walks of life gathered to exchange ideas, debate, and learn. That spirit of gathering, sharing, and sparking conversation is what we wanted to revive.

What Is brewclub?

To bring that vision to life, we created brewclub, the community arm of Brew & Bond. At its core, brewclub is a subscription service where members receive a new bag of coffee each month: roasted fresh, sourced from a different origin, and wrapped in community-designed artwork. Each month’s bag is shaped not just by what’s inside, but by the creativity of our community—anyone can submit a doodle on a simple flashcard for the chance to become the design on the next month’s bag.

But brewclub goes beyond coffee in the mailbox. It’s also our event platform, beginning right here in Bloomington. We’re kicking things off with gatherings centered on coffee and breakfast; spaces where students, locals, and anyone curious can come together, sip, and spark conversation. Expect pancakes, coffee, and music on Sunday mornings.

Learning Through Kelley Outfitters

My experience with Kelley Outfitters has been a direct training ground for running Brew & Bond. Managing an e-commerce business through Outfitters meant learning how to handle inventory, create product drops, and think critically about margins. It was more than just operating a student store; it was about understanding how a brand connects with its audience.

That knowledge translated seamlessly into Brew & Bond. From designing our own product line to building an online platform, the lessons I learned through Kelley Outfitters gave me the confidence to experiment, test, and grow. In many ways, Kelley Outfitters has put our brand in a position for success.

The Student Business Experience

Running a business as a student hasn’t been without its challenges. Balancing a full course load, campus involvement, and the day-to-day operations of a growing brand takes discipline. But what’s made the experience incredible is the support system here at Kelley.

During my Kelley abroad studies in Milan, Italy, I connected with another Kelley student, Max Loyello, who shared a passion for coffee and wanted to make a difference in connecting people at the school. Since meeting Max, we've been able to better conceptualize the idea of brewclub and connect our Bloomington community.

Professors are quick to give advice, classmates are always willing to provide feedback, and students are genuinely interested in helping a peer’s idea succeed. That collaborative spirit has been invaluable. It’s shown me that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be a solo journey; it can be powered by community, just like our coffee.

Starting in Bloomington

Our long-term goal is to make brewclub a national community, but we’re beginning here in Bloomington. This year, you’ll see us popping up across town with coffee-and-breakfast activations designed to bring people together. Whether it’s at a Sunday brunch, a tailgate-inspired gathering, or a casual coffee drop-in, the goal is the same: use coffee as the spark for conversation.

Bloomington is the perfect place to start. The city’s mix of students, locals, and visiting families gives us a unique opportunity to test ideas, create memorable experiences, and build a foundation for what’s to come.

Closing

Brew & Bond began as an idea between friends and has grown into something much larger: a way to use coffee to inspire conversation and community. As a Kelley student, I’ve seen firsthand how the skills learned in the classroom and through Kelley Outfitters translate into real-world entrepreneurship.

We’re just getting started here in Bloomington, and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Learn more about Brew & Bond

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Stay tuned, there’s much more brewing ahead.