MEET OUR FOUNDER
Kylee Brinkman
The Bowl is a female owned business started by FGCU alumni Kylee Brinkman right here in sunny SWFL. After moving back to Naples from Southern California, Kylee started crafting organic açaí bowls in her home kitchen. After breaking into the industry through farmers markets back in 2014, she decided to open her shared commissary kitchen doors to the public and try her hand as a mini brick and mortar. Her mission was to provide organic açaí bowls with good vibes only!
Within months, she had outgrown the space and secured her first storefront location off Pine Ridge Rd. in late 2015. After signing her lease and receiving the keys on a Friday, Kylee gave birth to her first child, Boden Otto aka Bodie (Barefoot Bodie Bowl), the following Monday! Naples immediately welcomed The Bowl’s healthy, organic bowls and smoothies along with the beachy atmosphere and quick service and Kylee welcomed the fast growth!
Commissary shared kitchen • 2014
Commissary shared kitchen • 2014
1427 Pine Ridge Rd, First store front • 2015
After opening the first store off Pine Ridge Rd, Kylee’s husband Mike quickly joined the team as a full time financial expert, certified CPA and glorified handyman! Just when things started to settle down, Kylee and Mike announced they were expecting….. their second baby AND their second location!
1200 Central Ave • 2017
1200 Central Ave • 2017
The Bowl downtown Naples, off Central Ave, opened its doors on November 11th 2017 after a full build out, with Kylee and Mike’s 2 week old daughter Isla Wren (Islamorada Bowl) and 2 year old Bodie in tow.
Kylee Brinkman is an entrepreneur with a diverse background. Prior to creating The Bowl, she started her first business straight out of college with her boyfriend (now husband) Mike Brinkman. Mike and Kylee co-owned Green Leaf Cleaning, the first non-toxic chemical free commercial cleaning company in SWFL from 2007 until 2011 at which time they sold the company. Kylee graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with two Bachelor of Science degrees: Business Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Resort & Hospitality Management.
Kylee earned the prestigious title of being named one of Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 in 2019. She continues to give back to the community by hosting Bowls for Benefits events each quarter where 100% of profits are donated to a local non-profit.
Kylee lives in Naples, FL with her husband Mike and two children Bodie and Isla. In her “free” time she likes to go to the beach and practice yoga.
Expansion in the works!
1200 Central Ave • 2019