THE COFFEE
“I felt less alone in this journey. And, it seemed like others felt a little less alone too.”
On February 9, 2022, Stronger Girl coffee was launched on drip as an option to the house blend we served at my coffee shop in the heart of Downtown Shelbyville, Kentucky. By this time, guests were staying longer and feeling more comfortable to gather in spaces as life somewhat normalized in the wake of the pandemic. Business was finally picking up. I was inspired to offer something on drip that was slightly bolder than our house blend, so we landed on a medium-to-dark roast recommended by my coffee shop mentor who knew our mission and commitment to quality. It was delicious and smooth with a flavor profile that reminded me of nuts roasted over a campfire in a chocolately s’mores kind of way.
Pretty soon, we had guests asking for it every day. As I pumped Stronger Girl out into cups for women of all ages, and guys who proudly ordered it with amused expressions, I felt less alone in this journey. And, it seemed like others felt a little less alone too.
We served Stronger Girl on drip and sold individual bags of it for a solid nine months, when opportunity gave birth to something more. In December of 2022, I sold the shop to Awake Ministries, who agreed to keep The Paddock Coffee + Eats + Gatherings brand with plans to carry on the hospitality model and boldly take it on as a social enterprise that helps transform lives through addiction recovery. Stronger Girl is still offered in rotation on drip there today.
On February 9, 2023, I launched online sales of retail bags of Stronger Girl (along with candles), already reaching stronger girls in 10 states, including Hawaii and a couple of bags sent to Australia. The goal by February 9, 2025 is to serve women in all 50 states and to expand the Stronger Girl reach globally.
Thanks for your support!
Stacy Smith Rogers (stronger girl in-the-rising)
To keep up with all things Stronger Girl, follow us on social @strongergirlcoffee.