Turning passion into purpose, the values of sorority life are often translated into the classroom.
At Florida Southern College, students can take a class in New Venture Finance Operations. Focused on entrepreneurship, students get a taste of what it’s like running their own business by partnering with a local café, Concord Coffee, to design, roast and market their coffee brand.
While the coffee was contributed by Concord Coffee, students had the creative freedom to revolve their brand around anything they wanted. So, when sorority women Caitlin McDaniel, Lily Sokup, and Brooke Sommers were put in a group together, they used their common ground for their cause: sisterhood and service.
“We had a strong resemblance, as well as a strong connection with sororities and philanthropies…” Sommers said. “Two of us being a part of Zeta Tau Alpha, and then one being a part of Alpha Chi Omega, and she is the president of Alpha Chi, so it was a really easy route for us to take … and make something really incredible.”
That is how Greek Blend was born. Each bag of roasted Brazilian coffee sold supports their nonprofit, donating 100% of the proceeds to one of the six sorority philanthropies on campus– per the customer’s choosing. If the consumer doesn’t have a preference, proceeds are split evenly between philanthropies.
Philanthropies include domestic violence awareness (Alpha Chi Omega); Ronald McDonald House Charities (Alpha Delta Pi); St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Delta Delta Delta); Girls on the Run (Gamma Phi Beta); Prevent Child Abuse America (Kappa Delta); and breast cancer education and awareness (Zeta Tau Alpha).
“When we table we have a list of all the sororities and their philanthropies,” Sokup said. “That way someone who isn’t necessarily affiliated with [sorority] life can find something that resonates with them and choose to donate that.”
Within one business week, the group has sold 20 bags of Greek Blend, hoping to double their sales by the end of the fall semester. Bags are sold in-person on campus and through the Kanu app– a student entrepreneur online marketplace. On Kanu, customers can not only purchase the Greek Blend, but other brands being sold in the class.
The cause is so enticing that even non-coffee lovers are donating to Greek Blend. Sokup notes that many students, faculty and sorority alumnae spearheaded these contributions.
And Greek Blend won’t end with the semester. They plan on securing a partnership with Concord Coffee to potentially expand sales outside the community and across the country. Since each member is using their nonprofit to gain industry experience, there’s no stopping anytime soon.
“Each of our group members has a diverse background,” Sommers said.”I have a background in marketing, Caitlin has a strong background in accounting and finances, and Lily is very good at overall operations and selling, so we do make a good dynamic together, which makes it easy to continue this outside of class.”
Greek Blend is a reminder that sorority life extends beyond sisterhood; it can brew fresh ideas that help women thrive academically and entrepreneurially.
