Benefit Corporation Blog Series – Simply Smiles
ewalsh • February 19, 2014
Next in our series of Social Enterprise Stories we feature Bryan Nurnberger. Bryan Is the President and Founder of Simply Smiles, a Westport, Connecticut based not-for-profit organization that provides bright futures for impoverished children, their families, and their communities.
In this interview we look at the social and environmental impact being created through the work of Simply Smiles, and take a deeper look into why Simply Smiles chose to incorporate a Connecticut- based Benefit Corporation to support his not-for-profit organization.
Why are you operating in Connecticut?
I live in Connecticut and began the organization, Simply Smiles Inc, here in 2003. Even though I spend 60 or 70 percent of my year traveling, Connecticut is home.
Why did you decide to start a Social Enterprise?
Simply Smiles is a not-for-profit operating in Oaxaca, Mexico and on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. We began selling coffee in 2011 in order to support farmers in an extremely remote area of Mexico. The endeavor was successful and we needed to spin the coffee endeavor off into a separate entity in order to not put our 501c3 status in jeopardy. The main concern was the danger of “unrelated business income” for the charity. With our new “Benefit Corporation”, Simply Smiles Products, we are able to grow our social enterprise coffee company and push all of the profits to support Simply Smiles the charity. It’s a perfect marriage.
What is the community you’re trying to have an impact in?
The original intention was and is to support the 3,000 plus farmers we work with in Mexico. But with the infrastructure of the B-Corp supporting the not-for-profit we are able to create products and generate income that supports all of our programs – both internationally and domestically. But there is another community that benefits, and that is the community of our customers. Social enterprises allow people to fold charitable giving into their everyday lives. This concept is really at the core of social enterprise for me. The idea of “you’re going to buy coffee, so why not buy the coffee that also supports people in need?” A situation like this expands the exposure and fundraising ability of a charity organization in ways more traditional ways of operating cannot. And it gives the consumer the power to make a difference with what they purchase each day.
How do you/will you achieve that impact?
Because we have both entities, the social enterprise and the not-for-profit organization, they work together to achieve our goals. The social enterprise sells coffee. The charity then executes the programs using the funding from coffee sales. Sales of products, especially a product that the customer uses every day, can be a much more predictable and consistent source of funding than traditional fundraising methods. The stability this situation creates allows our programs to be even more effective.
How do you balance purpose and profit?
Profit/money is just a tool you need to build something. Money is the same as a wrench or a screw driver for us. Balance is only a concern when we are trying to decide what needs our attention at this moment. Should we be in the office in Connecticut wrangling the next coffee sale or should we be in a village in Mexico helping farmers to educate their children? Both have a great magnetism that can sometimes leave you in the middle not knowing what direction to go. So internally, for both organizations, we have a rule; every employee needs to spend at least five months a year living and working at our projects in Mexico or on the Reservation. We set up our travel schedule for the year and stick to it. Technology allows this to work. iPhones, laptops, satellite phones… When you spend this much time side-by-side with those your enterprise supports it keeps your motivations high and you don’t risk tainting your focus with the seduction of living to maximize monetary profits.
What have been your biggest challenges thus far?
Well, there are a lot of coffee companies out there so there is a lot of competition. Also, people can be skeptical and you have to be very conscious of transparency so people know, see, and believe that “this coffee really does help kids”. That’s a surmountable obstacle though. One very big challenge is that Connecticut has not yet adopted the Benefit Corporation designation. So we were forced to incorporate in New York while operating in Connecticut. This is quite a hassle that doesn’t need to be necessary. Being Connecticut’s first Benefit Corporation is a big honor, and we hope to be as helpful as we possibly can to help Connecticut’s legislation pass. ReSet is doing great work.
What is the most rewarding thing to you about operating a social enterprise?
That we get to work for a purpose other than our individual desires every single day. Motivations come streaming in from all angles. It’s great to wish there were more hours in the day. It’s incredible to know that the spreadsheet you’re working on is helping to feed a family, educate a little girl, build a home on an Indian Reservation. People count on us, and we have had the privilege and the luck to be able to help those less lucky than we are. This reality is all the reward and motivation one could ask for.
Why do you want to incorporate as a benefit corporation?
We incorporated as a Benefit Corporation because it allows Simply Smiles to operate in a manner that is most efficient and impactful for those we support. The marriage of a not-for-profit with a separate but linked Benefit Corporation give us all the tools we need to fulfill our mission of “providing bright futures for impoverished children”.
Program Supports Early-Stage Retail Businesses with $7,000 in Grants Hartford, CT – Tuesday, September 29, 2026 – Reset, the Connecticut-based entrepreneurial support organization committed to advancing impact-driven businesses, is proud to introduce the ten businesses participating in the sixth cohort of the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator this fall. The program equips local founders with the tools to launch, grow, and thrive in today's retail landscape. Thanks to support from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, each business completing the program will receive a $700 grant to support their business. Save the date: Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time The Incubator will culminate in the Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time graduation and pop-up market event on Wednesday, November 18 from 5:30-8:00pm at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where the community can meet these entrepreneurs and experience their products firsthand. Get tickets at https://bit.ly/retail26 with the early bird discount of $5 off tickets purchased before November 1. "This cohort is building businesses that infuse care, heritage, and artistry into every product they make, and we’re excited to develop strong local businesses that invest right back into our communities," said Sarah Blecher, Executive Director of Reset. "This group brings the total number of retail businesses supported through the Retail Incubator to 73 since its launch in 2021." "From Puerto Rican pastries to block prints about collective liberation, this cohort shows how many different paths lead to a meaningful retail business," said Ndubisi Okeke, Reset Program Manager. "Our Retail Incubator gets them ready for holiday sales and sustainable operations well beyond this season, building businesses with impact." Comprehensive Support for Connecticut Entrepreneurs The Retail Incubator reflects Reset's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who are building businesses that create positive community impact. During the 12-week program, participants access experienced mentors, legal and financial support, peer networks, and real-world opportunities to test and refine their business models. The $700 small business grant at the conclusion of the incubator provides additional support to grow their businesses. The Ten Businesses in This Year's Floor–Plan Retail Incubator: Assiah Tea & Wellness , founded by Margo Jones, offers premium loose-leaf teas, handcrafted herbal blends, and curated tea services, combining hospitality, education, and wellness to encourage connection and intentional self-care. Asabodi, created by Melissa Carrasco, is a growing small business offering vegan and plant based skincare products like turmeric sugar scrub, body butters, lotions, African black liquid soap, and scalp stimulator. Dream Fleurs , founded by accessory and web designer Maureen Connelly, is a lifestyle accessory brand inspired by flowers, travel, and historic gardens around the world. Granny's Doggie Treats , is a growing small business created by Claudia Cupe, specializing in quality, homemade dog and cat treats crafted to provide pet parents with wholesome, flavorful options while promoting responsible pet care and supporting the special bond between pets and their families. L&M Desserts , led by owner and head baker Anaïs Esther Nuñez, is a family-operated business bringing authentic Puerto Rican desserts to families, events, and catering clients across Connecticut. NUR the Label , founded by Yasmin Laila, is a contemporary fashion brand reimagining the kaftan through a modern lens, honoring African and Middle Eastern dress traditions with pieces designed for celebrations and everyday expression. Pajareando Press , created by artist, educator, and community organizer Elida Paiz Pineda, creates one-of-a-kind block prints, illustrations, and craft works exploring social justice, collective liberation, and radical joy. Ruby Sampson , founded by Ashley Powdar in 2016 in honor of her grandmother, is an artisan-powered brand based in the U.S. and Guyana that creates silk-lined hair accessories, head wraps, and apparel on a mission to close the grooming gap for natural hair textures. Trinkky Trinkks , founded by performer and choreographer Cristal Coleman, is a specialty gift boutique offering handcrafted jewelry alongside curated handbags, accessories, and unexpected finds, built as a pathway toward generational wealth. Wábi Arts , founded by photographer and arts advocate Kim Weston, is a developing gallery and teaching space in downtown New Haven featuring Connecticut-based and emerging artists and home to the FOCUS Fellowship, a teen photography mentorship program. About the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator Now in its sixth year, it is part of a suite of retail opportunities from Reset and Hartford-based Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a community activation studio. Reset’s three-month incubator provides entrepreneurial technical support to early-stage retail businesses, helping participants understand customer needs, define pricing strategies, address key legal and financial topics, and prepare for new market opportunities. Entrepreneurs gain insights from industry experts, access a supportive community, and receive practical tools to enhance their business acumen. Through the Floor–Plan partnership, entrepreneurs can access additional market outlets and retail opportunities through Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. About Reset Founded in 2007, Reset is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector and providing inclusive entrepreneurial support across Connecticut. In February 2025, Reset acquired New Haven-based Collab, combining complementary strengths to create a more robust ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout the region. Reset specializes in social enterprise, meaning impact-driven businesses with double or triple bottom lines, and provides coworking space, accelerator programs, and mentoring services that inspire innovation and community collaboration. To date, Reset and Collab have assisted over 700 small businesses to start and grow with impact, and reached thousands more through low-touch supports. Visit resetco.org to learn more. # # #
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