June 23, 2026

This piece is sponsored by GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness.

As business neighbors, The Human Bean and GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness at first glance might not seem to share more than a similar address.

Look more closely, though, and a common culture quickly illustrates why the two increasingly have found ways to work together.

“It started because we had a couple baristas who also worked in the GreatKids childcare area at Performance Center,” said Elizabeth Menke, who opened the Sioux Falls location for The Human Bean last year at 2801 E. Jackson St., which is along 69th Street west of Southeastern Avenue and the GreatLIFE location there.

“So that was really fun, and I ended up talking with Tristen, and you could just feel his passion for working with kids and mentoring in a way that was less obvious.”

Tristen Jackson, PLAYEverything program coordinator and coach, has helped grow the GreatLIFE effort into one that reaches students in Title I schools.

Menke was moved to support it.

“I loved what they’re doing and wanted to see if we could do a Giveback Day for them,” she said. “I grew up an athlete and think sports can be such a character-building thing for kids. I could see how Tristen and his team and their volunteer coaches are such a good example for kids. It’s not just sports. They’re talking about not just sports but leadership and nutrition and fitness. They have a word of the day. They really have kids participating in a conversation about just being good humans.”

In May, The Human Bean donated 10 percent of proceeds to PLAYEverything. But it wasn’t just Menke’s team behind the counter.

“We had GreatLIFE team members actually in the coffee shop, making drinks and handing them to people,” she said. “It’s a really fun way to collaborate on a Giveback Day. You’re getting to know people instead of just writing a check.”

Menke also went to the PLAYEverything annual end-of-year celebration at Laura Wilder Elementary, bringing Italian sodas and lemonade as kids helped make their own drinks.

“I don’t like the idea of being a business on an island,” she said. “I want to connect with other businesses and nonprofits. It’s more rewarding than doing it on your own.”

That’s exactly the mentality at GreatLIFE, which has built its local business around forming partnerships with others.

“This is an example of a relationship that shows how one and one can make three or four, not just two,” GreatLIFE president Nick Ovenden said. “We capitalize on each other’s strengths to make more impact in the community.”

For GreatLIFE, the goal with business relationships “has never been to have a transactional relationship,” he added. “We want it to be a lasting relationship and a two-way street. If we can help drive people to other local businesses, why wouldn’t we do that? With Human Bean, it’s a fun way to get our team together and give them insight into what a barista does day to day and increase our respect for those who serve us. It’s a win on both sides, and they’ve become a really good partner.”

As Menke sees it, “we both really love connecting with people. It’s at the core of our businesses,” she said.

GreatLIFE has big plans for its PLAYEverything program, which will be in 14 elementary schools this fall, in addition to serving as an intermediary to help kids with behavior modifications who are at risk of suspension from school.

“It’s a different way to look at mentoring and something we encourage other businesses to consider supporting whether financially or through volunteering,” Ovenden said.

“We’re making a positive impact for these kids on their day and in their life. We get really good feedback from the teachers and are doing our best to ensure the programming stays top notch as we expand.”

That’s also just one way businesses can connect with GreatLIFE.

“We have a buffet of options, and I always just say it never hurts to sit down and have a conversation,” Ovenden said.

“We’d love to connect with local businesses to see if there’s a way to help out in some way, shape or form, whether through marketing or leadership programs or helping in the community. We’re here because we want to make sure we’re deeply rooted in the community and helping others at the same time.”

To begin a conversation and connect, email nick@joingreatlife.com.