When Elecxus Ellis first dreamed of owning a coffee shop, she was just ten years old. She was a little girl always begging her aunt for a sip of coffee. Years later, that childhood dream became a bold act of faith. With nothing more than her college refund checks and a prayer, Elecxus opened Kofee Broz LLC in Springfield, TN.

“I didn’t know what I was doing,” she remembers with a laugh. “But I told God, if You show me what to do, I’ll do it. And He did.” That simple act of trust led to a space that’s become much more than a coffee shop. It’s a place where community, compassion, and purpose blend perfectly — a reflection of the faith that started it all.

From the very beginning, Springfield showed up for Elecxus. Neighbors, professors, and even strangers offered help. One person bought all her paint at Lowe’s, volunteers painted the shop, a college professor’s husband built her countertop, and a local plumber donated his time. Four and a half years later, Kofee Broz has grown into a local favorite, and Elexcus is still in awe of the community that continues to surround her.

Elecxus’s heart for inclusion began long before her business did. In school, she remembers getting in trouble for standing up to friends who made fun of people with disabilities. “I’ve always embraced people with disabilities,” she says. “They’re not accepted in many places, and I wanted to make sure they know they’re going to be seen and loved in my coffee shop.”

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Today, Kofee Broz employs several adults with disabilities. Their youngest is 16 and their oldest is 35. Every Wednesday, students from Springfield High School’s CDC program come to the shop for tutoring and work-based learning opportunities. And while Elecxus pours love and patience into her team, she says they give just as much back. “They’re always checking on me, asking how I’m doing. There’s never a dull moment.”

For families like Cheryl’s, that care Elecxus provides has made all the difference. Cheryl’s 25-year-old son, Caleb, works at Kofee Broz. “It’s given him independence and makes him feel important,” Cheryl shares. “She’s been so good with him. They have the opportunity to grow and learn in that environment.” Elecxus’ favorite reminder came during a season of uncertainty when she worried about finances. “I heard God say, ‘If you take care of my children, I’ll take care of you and your business.’” 

It’s moments like these that remind Elecxus why she started, to build something rooted in love, purpose, and faith. With big dreams for the future, including opening a drive-thru location by next year, Elecxus continues to walk in faith, serve her community, and take care of God’s children, one cup at a time.