This week, we’re featuring Donna Witt, and a little twist with this week’s GLAMoms Meet a Mom! The mom behind the owner of Brewitt Café & Bakery, also known as Erin’s mom or to Erin, mom!
Donna’s daughter, Erin, is the proud owner of Brewitt Café & Bakery, and Donna has been cheering on Erin’s dream since day one. Now that Donna is recently retired, you’ll often find her working alongside Erin at the café!
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms, Donna, we’re so glad to share your story!
Welcome Erin’s Mom :)! Would you please introduce yourself?
Hi! My name is Donna Witt. I grew up in Royal Oak and our family moved to Shelby Twp the summer before my high school junior year where I ended up graduating from Eisenhower HS. I attended Nazareth College in Kalamazoo where I earned my bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. I decided I wanted to go into the Navy as a nurse upon graduation and experience military life and travel before I settled down. Fast forward to present – I have been living in Ovid, MI for the past 13 years. I have 3 adult children, 1 dog, 1 granddog and 1 grand cat 🙂
What is a piece of advice for new moms you wish you would have known when you were a new mom? How about now, with your “kid” being a small-business owning adult?
Let your kids learn from their mistakes. Don’t hover too much (although I did). Failure is the best way to learn, just be sure they know you are there for them. I was Erin’s biggest cheerleader
From Erin: My mom really was/is. She’s always there by my side asking to help.
What was your first reaction when your daughter told you she wanted to start a food truck and bakery?
I was thrilled with Erin’s decision to own a food truck and bakery. I thought it was a lofty goal especially for a teenager but I was in 100%. It excited my entrepreneurial mindset where I always believed you can do anything if you want it bad enough and work at it. I always told my kids to do what you love as your career.
You’ve played such a special role in bringing Brewitt to life, what’s been the most rewarding part of helping support your daughter’s dream?
Watching Erin grow as a business owner and living her dream. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t tell me how much she loves her “job”. As a mom you just want your kids to be happy and she has definitely found her happy place.
Every small business has a story, what’s something people might not know about how Brewitt got started?
Erin started working in bakeries then started to sell her own goodies at the Owosso Farmers Market under the name of Erin’s Great Bakes. Many people commented on her baking talent which led her to opening her food truck. Brewitt became the name after visiting coffee shops and envisioning how we wanted to position ourselves now and in the future. The “brew” part was coffee and possibly beer/alcohol in the future and the “witt” part is our last name.
Have you always had a love for baking/cooking or coffee, or is that something that grew through your daughter’s journey?
Coffee has always been a big part of my life. I always start the day with a cup or two of joe. I loved to entertain friends by cooking when I was in my 20’s and early 30’s. I had Erin’s sister in my early 30’s and Erin and her twin brother in my mid to late 30’s so the entertaining part of my life took a back seat. Career and raising kids were at the forefront.
What’s one menu item you’re especially proud of?
I really can’t pinpoint one menu item since Erin puts her heart and soul into everything she makes. She loves trying new things and adding her unique twist.
From Erin: The menu item I’m especially proud of is the Seoulmate. In the beginning, I never would have imagined myself making fried chicken and branching out as far as Korean food – I love to push the boundaries I put on myself and this was a big win for me.
What does it mean to see people in the community show up and support Brewitt, knowing the heart behind it?
It’s mind blowing when customers show up and say they have been thinking of our Hangover sandwich and couldn’t wait until we opened. Or when people say they never liked waffles until they tried ours. Even our cold brew coffee has gotten so many compliments.It really means the world to me to see our customers show up to Brewitt. We have such a great community of supporters and are seriously grateful for them.
Any advice you’d give to other moms whose kids have big ideas and bold dreams?
Let them live their dream with your support and guidance as needed. It doesn’t always mean that’s where they will land but at least they have to try. There will be bumps in the road but that’s all part of learning and growing. If you can wake up every morning and go off doing what you love, you have hit the jackpot.
How do you come up with new drinks or menu ideas?
Think outside the box and don’t be afraid to try new things. Check out the latest trends.
From Erin: I’m constantly in a dreaming state of mind. Small things like TikTok trends, a new food hyperfixation, and grocery shopping, to people searching for the best “x” in town have sparked inspiration in me to try and fit it into the Brewitt brand.
How do you balance family life with running a busy coffee shop?
Since my kids are all grown adults doing their own things and I retired from my career I have more time to watch them grow and support them the best I can
What is your morning routine, coffee first or something else?
ALWAYS coffee first! 🙂
Where do you see Brewitt in the next few years?
From Erin: I see Brewitt becoming a staple in the Lansing community. Whether we are continuing to grow at Allen Neighborhood Center or have our own brick and mortar. I also see us continuing to create a safe atmosphere for the community to come hang out and enjoy good food and sips.
How do you come up with new menu items?
From Erin: Inspiration can come from anywhere – the most mundane grocery shop or TikTok trends to people explicitly asking for certain items to be on the menu. I like to constantly push myself to think outside the box and create something novel.
How can the Greater Lansing community support you and Brewitt Cafe and Bakery?
Word of mouth always works well – talk about us! Follow us on social media, cater with us, book us for events, etc. We can also be supported by making us your go-to for coffee, breakfast/lunch. We are located at 1615 E Kalamazoo Ave., Lansing.
Here are a couple of questions to get to know you better 🙂
Favorite account or two on Instagram?
From Erin: A few of my favorite accounts are local businesses like Fifth String Food Truck, Ultra Mega, Paradiso Productions, Mr. Leslie’s Cheesecake, Poppa’s Cookbook, Peculiar Coffee … just to name a few;) Supporting local is super important.
Where are some of your favorite places locally to spend time with your family and friends?
I mean… Horrock’s is definitely a go-to. We also enjoy a little shopping at Eastwood, Old Town, and Reo Town.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I specialized in being a nurse for people with diabetes for about 17 years. I also really enjoy flipping furniture when I have time off.
How do you prefer readers to connect with you if they would like more information or would like to connect?
Reach out to us through social media! Our accounts are all @brewitcafe – Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
Anything exciting coming up that you’d love to share?
We always have something brewing for the beginning of each month;)
A Special Thank You to the “Rugby Couple”!
We owe a big thank you to the Rugby Couple for introducing GLAMoms to the amazing crew at Brewitt Café & Bakery! 🧇☕
Who are the Rugby Couple? Well… just what it sounds like, a couple who both play for Lansing Rugby! 🏉 Fun fact: one of them was actually a GLAM-kid’s teacher last school year. She told us we had to check out Brewitt, raving that it’s woman-owned and “SO GOOD.” Of course, we asked if the owner was a mom. She said, “I don’t think so,” and quickly added, “but her mom works with her!” And the rest is history.
We get our best ideas from so many places, and this one led us straight to Brewitt’s door. Oh and we later learned that at Brewitt, this duo is actually known as “the Rugby Couple.”
Thank you, Rugby Couple, we’ll see you at a home game this season!
From Erin: Follow us for updates on upcoming events and an exciting addition to the business coming soon.
Facebook — Brewitt Cafe
Instagram — @brewittcafe
TikTok — @brewittcafe
Website — brewittcafebakery.com
Meet a Mom Sponsor information
Today’s Meet a Mom featuring Donna Witt was brought to you by Boji Group. Boji Group specializes in Private-Public Partnerships, has offices in both Lansing and Birmingham and is headquartered in downtown Lansing.
Did you enjoy getting to know Brewitt Café & Bakery and meeting Donna and Erin? ☕🍰
We’re grateful to Boji Group for partnering with Greater Lansing Area Moms to bring you our popular Meet a Mom feature and we’ve been honored to introduce so many amazing local moms and businesses through this collaboration!
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Are you interested or know of someone who would make a great GLAMoms Meet a Mom?
Send a message here and we will take it from there!
*photos provided by Erin Witt
