We had the good fortune of connecting with Briana Gonzalez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Briana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I developed an interest for specialty coffee while in college and decided to begin learning how to make great coffee at home. While in search for the best coffee, milks, and syrups for my at home lattes, I noticed the lack of high-quality syrups on the market. Everything seemed to be loaded with artificial flavors, dyes, and preservatives. The idea to create my own brand using all-natural, high-quality ingredients sparked, but I did not act on it until years later. In an effort to stand out from the crowd, I noticed there was not a syrup brand out there that used an alternative sugar. This is when I discovered coconut sugar- an unrefined natural sweetener derived from the sap of coconut trees. It is similar in taste and appearance as brown sugar, contains a lower glycemic index, and is considered the most sustainable sweetener in the world as it requires minimal water and fuel to produce compared to cane sugar.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Beebee’s Syrups, founded in 2023, is an all-natural, sustainably sourced syrup brand for coffee, tea, and cocktails. We are the only syrup brand on the market that specializes in making flavored syrups made with coconut sugar, which helps set us apart from others. Before Beebee’s, I was doing freelance social media management with my best friend turned business partner, but we both were ready for a change. I decided to use over half of my savings to pursue this business idea that had been lingering in my mind for a while, and I am so glad I took the leap of faith. Year 1 was definitely not easy, but it taught me that patience is key. I knew I had a great product on my hands, and the feedback I was getting from customers at local markets and online reassured me of that. However, right around the year 1 mark I was getting ready to start submitting job applications and run Beebee’s in the evenings since things were pretty slow. I also was going through my first autoimmune flare up, so it was a pretty hard time for me. Once I was feeling back on my feet, I decided to add a new flavor to our line of signature flavors, banana bread. The timing could not have been more perfect, as that flavor happened to become popular on TikTok at the same time. I said a prayer to God and clicked upload on my TikTok flavor announcement- and it was my first viral video. Everything shifted, and Beebee’s grew 10x in sales overnight. We’ve been able to maintain that while continuing to hit new milestones and have exciting opportunities such as being featured by Chobani at their Specialty Coffee Association Expo booth. Although we grew 10x, we are still small with just myself and my family helping me. All syrups are still hand batched by us. We did recently began wholesaling to cafes and coffee carts, and will very soon wholesale to local grocers and shops as well! I’m excited for the day we can grow our team, and hopefully see ourselves in grocers like Whole Foods and Central Market.

I’m so proud of myself for keeping faith in myself and my vision, and for juggling the many hats of an entrepreneur to provide the best experience I can for my customers. Although it is a lot of work, it will all pay off and it is very rewarding. Here’s to entering year three of business with more lessons, opportunities, and connection with those who support my brand!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am so proud to be from Houston! This city is so rich with cultural diversity, art, and delicious food. Here’s some itinerary ideas dedicated to different neighborhoods.

Day 1 Montrose: First, grab coffee and breakfast at Citizens of Montrose! Then, do some shopping at the Montrose Collective and thrift shops along Westheimer road. From there, grab a later lunch to-go from Brasil or Barnaby’s and have a picnic at Menil Park. Make sure to stop in Rothko Chapel and the Menil Collection while you’re there! Later in the night, have dinner at Rosie Cannonball and drinks after at Anvil and Refuge.

Day in Downtown/Eado: Start the morning with fifth vessel coffee and then free rooftop skylawn pilates at POST! Then support small businesses at a market on the second floor inside, followed by lunch in the food hall. Relax the rest of the afternoon, then get tex-mex food and margaritas at Pappasito’s or Candente! If you have the energy, catch a performing arts show such as TUTS and the Houston Ballet.

Day in Rice Village: Get brunch at Tiny Boxwood’s and then spend the afternoon at the Museum of Fine Arts. Grab a snack at the cafe and then head to the Contemporary Arts Museum. For dinner, grab sushi at Kata Robata.

Day in the Heights: Grab coffee at Tenfold and then check out the Sunday farmers market in the morning! If you eat meat, then Texas BBQ is a must while in town. I recommend Truth BBQ for lunch. Then, do some shopping at local shops such as Forth and Nomad, Genara, and the shops along W 19th street. For dinner I love Local Foods, especially after a heavy lunch like BBQ. Then, have a night out! Somewhere “chill” like Eight Row Flint and Better Luck Tomorrow, or bar hopping along W 20th.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to The Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship at UH. I was accepted into this top ranked program my junior year of undergrad and given the opportunity to learn from successful entrepreneurs and gain real world entrepreneurial experience. I do not think I would have the knowledge and confidence to have gotten to this point in my career without them!

Website: https://drinkbeebees.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkbeebees/

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drinkbeebees

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Payton Hartsell Photography

Brand Product Photography: Sadie Sanders Photography

Other N/A

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.