Alumni Spotlight: More Than a Cup of Coffee

When Kalli (Donaway) Clement ’09 dreamed of opening a coffee shop that would hire people with disabilities, she never imagined a clinic owner would offer to build it for her. Four years later, that “God thing” has become a thriving business that’s changing lives one cup at a time.

Nestled in the small, coastal town of Navarre, Fla., Clement’s coffee shop, Perfect Blend, does more than serve lattes and cold brew. It’s a hub of purpose, providing meaningful employment for teens and adults with disabilities — a mission rooted in faith, compassion, and the kind of personal investment she experienced as a student at Hardin-Simmons University.

“I was born and raised in Abilene,” Clement said. “Since I was a little girl, I always said I was going to go to Hardin-Simmons, and I did. It was the best journey.”

Clement graduated in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science in speech-language pathology before pursuing her master’s degree at Texas Tech University and a Doctor of Science in Medical Speech Pathology at the University of Pittsburgh. But even as her academic and clinical career advanced, a unique dream began to take shape.

The seed for that dream was planted during her doctoral research on resources for autistic adults, where she noticed a significant drop-off in support after high school. Later, working in Florida, she witnessed teens finding jobs but saw that businesses often didn’t know how to support them.

“I had this dream. A vision to open a coffee shop that employed teens and adults with disabilities,” she said. “I never imagined it would actually happen.”

But God had other plans.

While working as a speech pathologist in Florida, Clement shared her dream with the owner of the clinic where she worked. Unexpectedly, that owner offered to build the coffee shop for her.

“It was definitely a God thing. It just kind of fell into my lap,” she said.

Perfect Blend Coffee Company’s ribbon cutting with the Navarre Chamber of Commerce.

The dream that seemed impossible became reality, and Perfect Blend now employs 20 people, 60% of whom have some form of disability. Clement manages operations behind the scenes, from scheduling and inventory to marketing and training. The employees she hires aren’t just given a job; they’re given support, community, and a place to thrive.

“We don’t make excuses,” Clement said. “We meet them where they are and help them be successful. Just because someone has a disability doesn’t mean they aren’t capable. Our goal is to give them skills that allow them to go beyond Perfect Blend — to grow and work in other places, too.”

That mission recently took on new life when Clement helped an employee named Will transition from the coffee shop to a technical college’s culinary program. Will, who started at Perfect Blend while still in high school, just earned his associate’s degree in culinary arts.

“Will just lights up the room. He’s so friendly, never met a stranger. I told his mom, ‘I need him at the coffee shop. On the hard days—when the numbers don’t look great or milk prices spike—I think of Will,” Clement said. “That’s why we do this.”

As a speech-language pathologist, Clement brings more than heart to her mission — she brings expertise. Her clinical background informs her approach to training employees and advocating for accommodations in the workplace.

“When we interview new hires, we talk about strengths and weaknesses. Not in a corporate sense, but in a practical one,” she said. “Do they struggle with fine motor tasks? Can they stand for long periods? Then we figure out how to make the job work for them.”

That support extends beyond the coffee shop walls. Clement recently became a job coach, working with vocational rehabilitation services to help other businesses develop inclusive practices. She’s also launched a nonprofit to expand her mission beyond Perfect Blend and into other workplaces.

“This mission shouldn’t stop at our coffee shop,” she said. “There are so many people out there wanting to be part of this.”

And for Clement, it’s always been about faith.

“You can’t do this without faith,” she said. “We took on a huge risk. But our mission isn’t just about giving job opportunities — it’s about being Jesus to our employees. We don’t shove our faith in anyone’s face, but it’s known that we love Christ, and we love people because of that.”

Perfect Blend Coffee exists to empower teens and adults with disabilities by equipping them with job skills and opening doors to meaningful employment. Globally, more than 200 million people live with intellectual and developmental disabilities—yet 80% are unemployed. Perfect Blend is working to change that story, one opportunity at a time.

Clement’s journey may have taken her far from Abilene, but her heart remains close to her alma mater.

“Hardin-Simmons was like home,” she said. “The professors there didn’t just teach — they poured into me. Dr. Hill, especially, was my biggest advocate and the reason I pursued my doctorate. That level of care and personal investment — I’ve never experienced it anywhere else, even at larger universities.”

Even now, Clement stays connected to HSU, serving on the alumni board. Looking ahead, Clement hopes the Perfect Blend model will spark similar efforts across the country, and perhaps even back in Abilene.

“I was just there visiting my parents with my toddler,” she said. “We met with some people who want to start something like this in Abilene. I don’t know if we’ll franchise, but I’ll definitely share what’s worked and what hasn’t.”

In conclusion, when asked what advice she’d give her 18-year-old self, newly arrived at HSU, Clement paused.

“I’d tell myself to slow down and enjoy it. You think life is hard when you’re taking tests and waking up early, but those are some of the best days. Just immerse yourself in it. That place shaped me.”