Embracing New Beginnings with ELYSIBREW#1
Hello and Welcome! My name is Richard Flanagan-Ashton.
Life often takes us on journeys we never planned, and mine has been a testament to embracing unexpected change.. For years, I dedicated myself to the culinary arts. Cooking was more than a job—it was my identity, my joy, and my sanctuary. But life threw me a curveball with an accident that took me away from the kitchen, the very place where I felt most at home. In that moment, I felt adrift, uncertain of who I was without my chef’s apron.
But, as I learned through time, challenges can become the greatest opportunities for growth. While facing this unexpected chapter, I immersed myself in motivational resources and books that helped me shift my mindset. I began to understand that change, though painful, is necessary. It’s inevitable and, ultimately, essential to finding new purpose and meaning.
And that’s where my story truly begins—with storms I couldn’t avoid, and a choice to go through them, not around them. Each challenge taught me that avoiding the hard things only prolongs the pain. True growth happens in the storm. That’s where Elysibrew was born—not from a place of comfort, but from resilience and reinvention.
To understand Elysibrew, you need to know a little about the people who have shaped me. My mom, Mary, has always been the heart of our family. She’s in a nursing home now, living with Parkinson’s. The disease has slowed her steps, but her quiet strength remains. She’s a constant reminder of the beauty in perseverance, even when life isn’t easy.
Nine weeks ago, my brother Russell had a stroke. It came out of nowhere, shaking us all to the core. Watching him fight to regain his strength is humbling. His courage reminds me every day that progress isn’t about speed—it’s about showing up, step by step.
A year and a half ago, my wife Kelly, was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylosis, a chronic condition that’s redefined what partnership means to us. There are hard days, but she’s taught me that love isn’t just about being there for the good times—it’s about standing side by side in the storm.
And then there’s my brother Jon, who lives in Mexico with his family. Though we’re separated by distance, he’s created a beautiful life of his own. He reminds me that family isn’t about proximity—it’s about the connections we nurture, no matter where we are.
Elysibrew was born out of all these stories. Out of the loss of my career in the kitchen. Out of the storms I’ve faced. Out of my belief that even in the hardest moments, there’s something beautiful waiting on the other side.
It’s more than just coffee—it’s a reminder. A reminder that even in life’s chaos, there’s beauty to be found. That even when storms rage, there’s always a calm to return to. Coffee has always been part of those moments for me. It’s the quiet time in the morning, the conversations shared, the ritual that grounds me when everything else feels overwhelming.
Elysibrew isn’t just a coffee brand; it’s a lifestyle. Each blend—from our bold, dark roasts to our smooth, balanced medium roasts—is crafted to be more than a drink. It’s an invitation to embrace life’s small moments of bliss. To pause, breathe, and immerse yourself in the warmth of a luxurious brew that’s as comforting as it is invigorating.
Change is not your enemy; it’s the sculptor shaping your potential. I’ve learned that the storms we face aren’t meant to destroy us—they’re meant to shape us into who we’re meant to be. And I want Elysibrew to be part of your journey, too. Whether you’re wrapping your hands around one of our mugs or reflecting on your next step forward, I hope it brings you comfort, joy, and a little bit of calm in the storm.
Thank you for joining me on this journey and for allowing Elysibrew to be a part of your day. Here’s to embracing change, awakening to new possibilities, and finding luxury in life, one sip at a time.
To resilience. To family. To hope.