My little brother Walt, lives in Nashville. USA.
photo: courtesy of Sarah E Rose Photography
And he’s a part of something that’s life changing, half a world away.
I’ll spare you the proud big sister bit, but I’m thrilled to share this one of a kind project with all of you today. I was able to sit down and have a little Q+A with the man {anyone else out there feel a little weird calling your little brother a man? ha!} himself…so sit back, grab a sweet tea, and let the story begin.
1. So, fill us in. Can you tell us what The Well is all about?
The Well is a coffeehouse located in Nashville, TN.
There are hundreds, really thousands, of places to grab a cup of coffee in every city. In many ways we’re kind of a needle in the haystack. So what sets us apart from a polished Starbucks or Seattle’s Best? It’s operating with a much different goal and purpose in mind. The Well is definitely unique in that we’re a ‘nonprofit’ in every sense of the word. We’ve made all efforts to strip down the definition of a ‘not for profit’ business and make it as organic as possible. So the customer can get their coffee fix in the morning on their way to work, while at the same time buying into a life changing cause.
The idea behind The Well is a neat one:
1. Run a successful coffee shop
2. Make as much money as we can
3. Give all the money away
2. Who is behind this project and when did this all begin? How did you come together with a common purpose?
We’ve had help from lot of people, donors, and volunteers who have spent their time to help us open the doors as quickly as possible. We have 6 Board Members total – Rob Touchstone, Chris Sofher, Matt Yates, Charlie Dillingham, Steve Morrow, and myself. It’s funny because we’re all so different – we all have vastly different day jobs, backgrounds, personalities, experiences, outlooks, and talents. This is what is desperately needed to pull off a project like this. It may sound cliché, but it’s so very true: The one and most important thing we do have in common is that we’re all working toward the same goal: a common love for God, each other, and for those around us.
3. How did you decide to do this? Please tell us the story behind it?
I went on a mission trip to a 3rd world country when I was a senior in high school. I had barely traveled much of the US at that time, so it was a bit of a culture shock as I was naive. I had no idea just how well off we were in the US. Once you return to the states, life goes on. We get sucked into our fast paced lives. Since then I’ve graduated college, gotten married, have a wonderful job at a design firm that I’m very committed to, and within a month, we will be welcoming our second baby girl into the world. In fact, everyone on our Board at The Well has at least 2 children. So life, as you know, gets crazier and crazier by the day. I’ve been beyond blessed, but with all my responsibilities the possibility of leaving the country every month to help with various efforts isn’t very promising.
Honestly, for a long time, several of us had talked about trying to start a side business or organization of some sort that could really make a difference and have an impact on peoples’ lives. Even though we didn’t know exactly what it was. Like many friends do, we’d get together late nights and say, “Man one day we’ll do this or start that.” Rob had talked about a coffee shop where we could form relationships and then find needs and assist within our community, and we even explored avenues. But the timing and details never seemed to match up. A few of the guys began calling a meeting for the 6 of us to meet every Tuesday night at 8:30pm (after our kids were tucked in) and would meet sometimes until midnight to begin praying and exploring the possibilities. Now 6 months later, it’s very much a reality and a little crazy that it’s actually happening, and it couldn’t be more exciting for us!
4. Who does The Well benefit?
Our goal is that this will have a global impact, and help change lives. The Well is set up to benefit some of the poorest people around the world who are in need of clean water, food, and freedom from oppression. We want to help break poverty cycles by building sustainable solutions through clean water systems, agriculture, and education. One of our primary focuses are digging wells in areas of the world that need it most. Each well will serve villages of 1,500+. We’ve partnered with our friends at Blood : Water Mission as well as the Living Water Organization to help us. We will also be establishing our own initiatives, beginning in Ethiopia and Uganda.
Steve Morrow and his wife Shelly just got back from spending 2 weeks in Ethiopia and Uganda to establish our first initiatives there, for bringing relief to the poverty stricken children and adults. They went to make connections, see the level of poverty first hand, see the difference our work can make, and learn how to install clean water systems. This will help us focus our projects and to begin to fund specific initiatives. All board members plan to travel in the future to ensure first hand that our profits are going to good use. Also, the coffee beans that we’ll use to ground our coffee comes from villages in all parts of the world. We buy at fair trade to ensure we’re helping those villages who are supplying our coffee beans and it also guarantees we get everything fresh and organic. So it’s a win win for everyone.
Something else that is still in development is a small area of the coffee house called “The Wishing Well”. This was a nickname amongst the board that just seemed to stick. The idea behind it is to show that we are just as focused on the needs of our local community as we are globally. It’s kind of like “classified ads” with a twist. We want to know the needs of those in our community and seek to create an atmosphere of kindness and care for one another. Anyone will be welcome to make a wish or take a wish on the wall of the wishing well. If you make a wish you are sharing a need. These wishes can be all kinds of things, such as “I wish I had someone to talk about…” or “I lost my home due to foreclosure or fire and am starting fresh and need a couch, table. etc” or “I need help paying off an unexpected medical bill.” If you take a wish you are seeking to be a source of hope for someone in need. We hope it’ll help bring the community together a little more.
Photos shown were taken courtesy of Jon Morton Studios
5. What do you envision The Well being in the future?
Who knows what all the future will hold and what new opportunities God will bless us with, but right now, I’m wanting this thing to take off so much that we’re forced to open multiple locations.
6. What exactly will you carry, and where is it located?
We will primarily sell coffee, espressos, smoothies, and frappuccinos and hope to offer many varieties.
As we all know location can be one of the most important factors to success. So I’m thrilled to say we’re located in the heart of Green Hills. You can actually see the Nordstrom of the Green Hills Mall from our parking lot, and it’ll be the only coffeehouse in Green Hills with a drive thru. This is traditionally a nicer part of town which would make our lease higher, however the owner of the space believed in what we were doing so much that he’s given us an unbelievable agreement.
7. What have you been involved in, to transform it + what are some of the challenges you’ve faced?
I’ve been serving on the Marketing team of The Well, which is composed of myself and a dear friend and graphic designer Laura Copeland. Laura and I have spent countless hours doing research and developing a master plan for The Well – starting from the logo, what the interior will look like, and the signage and branding.
As many know, starting up a business, especially a nonprofit, is full of challenges and obstacles. Launching out on faith has been the biggest challenge because we didn’t have the money, or even the business expertise to do this. We’ve been learning as we go. All we knew was that God brought us together, had given us the vision, and that He would provide. And He has. Raising the money to do this has been challenging, but God has brought just what we need at just the right time including the unbelievable opportunity to lease the space in the heart of Green Hills in Nashville.
One of the biggest challenges for Laura and I to get The Well off the ground and running, is transforming the space and making it more appealing. It needed to be a lot more appealing. The building we are located in, is actually an old Burger King from the 80’s and you better believe it looked the part. It hadn’t been occupied for years, so it has produced challenges from just about every aspect: The sheer size of it. The repairs that needed to be done. Mostly, the dated look of the interior. So the real challenge is, how to re-do a space as large as it is, with what’s needed, on an extremely tight budget? (And I mean extreme – like non-profit extreme). We wanted the feeling of our coffeehouse to be vastly different from, obviously, a fast food restaurant. But even that of a Starbucks, or any other coffeehouses we know of. We didn’t want the fast food approach of getting people in and out as quickly as possible. Obviously it can function for those on the go, but we wanted it to be a place that was warm and inviting. Customers could come in, sit down, and get into each others’ lives. It needed to feel organic and like a non-profit. To create a look of this, we needed to cover up some of the dated architecture. So we ended up wanting to use barnwood.
The cost of “going green” can be pricey with refurbished or reclaimed wood, so to avoid that, we actually found a 100 year old barn on some farmland west of Nashville. We bought it from the older gentleman who lives on the land, and we’ve had volunteers go with us to dismantel it, load it on a large trailer, and bring it back to the coffeehouse to sort through, and see what we could use.
Luckily, the barn had some old rusted tin that came with it that we have been able to use in various parts as well. Another teaser to the interior is that we’ve actually taken some of the burlap sacks the coffee is shipped in, and are using it to upholster some of the repurposed furniture we’re using. It’s really starting to come together. While Laura and I are more of the “dreamer” types – luckily Chris and his team are more “doers”, take the direction, and are talented enough to build and make it happen!
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Isn’t it amazing? The first time Walt showed me the photos of those children, I was crying. I absolutely love their take on doing something wonderful right from where you are. In the middle of our busy lives, there’s a way that all of us can contribute to this great cause. It’s a beautiful example of letting God use you, right where you are.
Finally, here’s a sneak peek of The Well’s new interior. We can’t wait to show you the final shindig. Jamin and I are pleased as punch to say that we will be shooting the entire thing in just a few weeks, so you can see the before and afters!
The Well is set to open in Nashville, in July. Click here for details on their block party coming up soon, and until then… Stay tuned!
If you would like to do something to show your support, be sure to like their facebook page here, and spread the word about this awesome nonprofit! If you can, grab a button (above) and link to their site…spreading the word about this great project never hurts! To read more about The Well, be sure to click here. If you would like to make a donation to their cause, click here.
So what’s your favorite part about this entire thing? More importantly, what do you feel called to do in your own community? I’m feeling quite inspired.
Jess says
That’s an amazing story and a great idea. I wish I could buy coffee from a place with such a great mission. I really hope it takes off and does well! Can’t wait to see the finished interior – the teaser looks fabulous (and not at all like a 1980’s BK).
Holly S. says
I have never commented on here before but have been following your blog for about 2 years now. I think what your brother is doing is awesome and brought tears to my eyes! I will be in Nashville in August visiting family and will definitely make it a point to stop by there when we head to Cheekwood for the day. I can’t wait! I will repost the info to my FB page for all my Nashville friends and family to know what is coming. Thanks for the post! BTW, I love your blog!
Anna@agoodhome says
Wow, that is so wonderful! What a gift clean water is. That is a really, really special project. It’s so cool to see a group of people with such strong hearts for the Lord. Thanks for sharing, Ashley! If I’m ever in Nashville, I’ll definitely stop in!
JP says
Amazing. People like this amaze me. I can’t wait to see all the incredible things they do. Certainly will be spreading the word!!!
Lauren Lewis says
Awesome! I’ve been following your blog for a while and love it! I’m from Nashville but don’t live there anymore. I am wondering if this space is what used to be the Green Hills Burger King? It has been absolutely transformed! I am leaving for Nashville in 2 weeks and if The Well has opened, I will definitely pay a visit. I will also pass this post along to all my coffee drinking friends and family who are still in Nashville.
Rob Touchstone says
Lauren…yes, it is the old Burger King! But we’ve worked hard so that when you walk in you’ll hopefully never know that 🙂
{darlene} @fieldstonehilldesign says
This is awesome!! I just LOVE the mission AND the method. What a perfect way for American’s to get their coffee fix and pour their funds into helping others… all in one fell, drive-thru swoop. Perfect!
Prayers for BIG things from/for the Well. May they be blessed for serving well!
Dorothy says
How cool. Way to go to your brother and the others. I love that they’re helping people and that they are kind enough to think of people here at home who are going through tough times too. It always makes me sad when, for instance, a bunch of doctors offer free services to kids in other countries (which is great by itself) but then would never ever treat kids here without adequate insurance or cash on the barrelhead. This is so sweet to read about. Thanks!
courtney says
this fired me UP! i just love love love everything about it. if there is anything i can ever do to support them – do let me know. i love when smart, creative, amazing people have a dream that serves others and honors God and they GO FOR IT! i can speak from experience that little bumps and major bumps will come – and they will make you doubt. it’s from a person called Satan that wants nothing more than for them to fail. tell your brother to carry on. keep fighting to finish strong and dream even bigger. awesome concept. wishing there was one in Orlando!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you, sweet Courtney. Love what you are doing as well. Certainly will keep you posted! ;}
Beth Miller says
I am sitting here speechless bc I’ve wanted that old Burger King to be a Chick Fil A for so long…and now this is even better! I will make sure to frequent The Well once it opens and never buy Starbucks again! This is so exciting, and I will make sure to spread the word amongst my Nashvegas peeps! That is such an AWESOME location that is sure to do well (pun intended)!
ali thompson says
this is amazing. we love nashville so will have to check that out the next time we head that way! very inspiring & motivating. wish them all the best.
Megan Brooke says
I live in Nashville!! This is awesome!! I’ll definitely spread the word among my friends!! And Green Hills is perfect:)
Can’t wait to see it fully decorated. So far it looks amazing!! Will you be coming to town for the grand opening??
Jennifer Murray says
I could say so much…but I’m just kind of in awe. I love it when people aren’t too afraid to say yes to something huge like that!
Button Bird Designs says
Ashley!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is amazing and unbelieveable!!! How inspiring is this!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, I wished I lived in Nashville, I would be at The Well everyday! What a wonderful wonderful idea that is becoming a reality!!
lots of love
Angela
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks Angela-can’t wait to see where they go with it-to God be the glory, for sure! ;}
Gina says
Oh this is great! My husband and I lived in Franklin for a couple of years and I certainly do remember Green Hills. I’ve been hoping God willing that one day we could go back and show our son around and if we do I’ll definitely stop in!
Kym says
I had to share with you that I just LOVE this story! Fast forward about a month after you posted it and my sister requested some “cool coffee” on her birthday wish list. Without even having to search, I went straight back to your blog and connected to The Well’s website and ordered her a bag of their coffee to be shipped all the way here to Washington.
She was so happy when I shared the website with her and now we are awaiting the delivery of the delicious coffee. Thank you for sharing what The Well does and pointing us in the right direction. I love to support companies that are truly out there to better the world. Makes my heart full! Now I need to order me some coffee! Thanks again.
PS – Everything else on your blog is AMAZING! Seriously.
Lori says
I have bookmarked all of the transformation photos of The Well. :o)
I am a single mom here in SW Washington that has a mission similar to that of The Well’s dreamers and doers. About two years ago God put it on my heart to open an intern site for at risk youth. The goal was to give them a “first job” experience that they can put on a resume for a long term job. While involved in the internship they would be learning much more than job skills. :o)
I have a pastor here in Washington that is mentoring me over the email that oversees a coffeehouse that is non profit directed toward at risk youth also.
I am so encouraged in reading this!
I have a BIG QUESTION….could someone email me and let me know where they purchase the coffee beans? I would LOVE to support people directly in the villages and would also like to repurpose the bags in my decor too! Thanks!! :o)
Lori