I have once again met some of the most dynamic people you will ever get to meet. As I continue to
pursue this idea and track down small business owners that simply will not stop or give up on their
dreams. We need to take a look at what is it that makes them so different, why does life seem to be
treating them differently while others are fading away.
The business that I will focus on this week is one in the Martinez Area of Georgia. This small company
has been in business for 5 years, December 2006 they opened their doors. It is called the “Inner Bean”.
A small and quaint coffee and sandwich shop that has many regular customers, but at the same time, they
find that people from the surrounding areas are hearing about them and stopping by.
While I talked with the owners Donna Kennedy and Ann Warner, along with their daughters Amity Williams,
and Casey Warner, you get a sense…almost immediately that they all love what they do.
This partnership started with a small dream of making a little money and having fun, doing something
to get these stay at home moms out of the house and meeting people was the dream. But what has
started as a family owned business is now blooming into a thriving establishment.
From the exclusively home-made touch of the soups and chicken salad along with all the fresh
ingredients for their sandwiches to their specialty coffees, the Inner Bean is an excellent place
for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
So what is it that these ladies have that other business might lack ? What causes them to be different ?
Are they just lucky because of a great location, ample parking, and a wonderful product…Well if anyone
has every visited the Inner Bean you know first hand that they are not in the best of locations. They
are in the middle of a small strip mall on a busy street, it does not have near enough parking spaces to
hold the customers. Nothing about their location is convenient. So again I am back to the point at hand.
What is it that is causing them to hang on and thrive while other businesses are closing their doors.
Sitting across the table from me with one of their specialty coffees, (a white mocha is my choice) I had a
pleasure to talk with Donna and Ann, picking their brains to discover their secret. If there is one and here
is what I have found….
They all absolutely love what they do, they love their people…their customers, this group of people have
carved out a place in society to form a vastly diverse family and they wouldn’t want it any other way.
They know most of “the regulars” on a first name bases. Stopping what they are mixing or making just to
welcome them back.
They believe that the customers love the fact that all of their menu items are freshly made, arriving at 
6am everyday to start the homemade soups. And every Sunday Donna and Ann are up at the shop…
doing the baking for the next couple of days. All of their cakes, cookies, muffins, and cheesecakes are
all homemade as well.
Neither of these ladies consider themselves as successful business owners, they followed their dream
of owning a small business, but never really knew what that might entail until they began throwing
ideas around, and the Inner Bean was formed.
The biggest challenge they face is Growth. Finding the quality people to ensure the successful feel of the
Inner Bean is a challenge. Finding people that enjoy what they do and go above and beyond for their
customer satisfaction will always be the most important goal.
So what do the customers think and why are they coming back…..It’s the owners themselves, they are
personable, pleasant, friendly, warm, welcoming (these are just a few of the words that came out).
But all in all it is the comfort of the shop, the warm and relaxed atmosphere, the ability for people to
study, read, gather with friends and listen to music. They sponsor Open-Mike-Nights for local musicians
and have put on many successful Art Shows for area artist to display their talents. They have notched
out their part of a vast community, and with their customers support they are doing extremely well.
So again I ask…what is the secret to the “Inner Bean’s” success….Hard Work, Perseverance, Quality
Products and Exceptional Customer Service, “This is our life….not our job” says Ann, as she hurries
off to get ready for another day.
Inner Bean
139 Davis Rd
Augusta, GA 30907-0250
(706) 364-3752
