As they launched the business, the couple initially focused on roasting and wholesale coffee before eventually opening cafes.
The company’s “Brew Good. Do Good.” motto reflects its original mission of focusing on ethically sourcing coffee and helping farmers thrive, which has expanded to include relationships with local communities.
“The ‘do good,’ in the beginning, was what we could see globally and how could we purchase coffee to help farmers thrive,” Ward said. “We never planned on opening all of these cafes, and since we now are about to open our 13th cafe, over the years that ‘do good’ has been focused also very locally through hospitality and how can we really be a light in this community, share joy, inspire hope through every one of those little transactions, while serving a great cup of coffee.”
The couple has also enjoyed watching Buddy Brew grow alongside the Tampa Bay area over the years.
“We feel like we’re part of the fabric of this community, and it’s an honor,” she said.