Kylee Brinkman opened and expanded The Bowl, an organic eatery with two Naples locations while balancing her growing family life, all under two years.

“In 2016, I opened my first location with my 3-month-old son, Bodie, and in 2017, I opened my second location with my 2-week-old daughter, Isla,” Brinkman remembers. “Although challenging, I proved to myself and my employees that you could balance family, life and a career.”

Through her business, Brinkman has participated in donation-based community events like ZOObilee, SWFL Craft Beer Fest, YogaCAN and more, benefiting local causes.

Brinkman exercised her entrepreneur abilities before launching The Bowl. She and her husband previously opened Southwest Florida’s first nontoxic commercial cleaning company, before selling it in 2011. She won the EagleBizPlan Award at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) for her business plan in 2007.

Though Brinkman seems to have a knack for being a self-starter, her most important lesson has come from managing others (The Bowl employs 35-plus people).

“Delegation isn’t easy, but mastering this skill has allowed me to focus my attention where it’s needed, while at the same time empowering employees. Win-win,” Brinkman says.

Brinkman graduated from FGCU in 2007 with a dual major in resort and hospitality management and business management with a focus on entrepreneurship. She enjoys traveling, practicing yoga, and spending time with her family at the beach.