Family Fun in Chicago & Fun For Kids: Our Staff

Brady TenBrink | Co-owner

The mother of three children, Brady began her career as a Commercial Interior Designer. Fresh from Kendall College of Art & Design (Grand Rapids), Brady worked for Chicago-based The Environments Group. Toward the end of her three-year professional career, Brady felt called to work with children.  

Obtaining a Masters degree in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois, Chicago, Brady prepared to teach in the Chicago Public School system. Plans changed though given the birth of Sophia…on the day of graduation finals! Two years later, Dylan was born. And June 26, 2009, John and Brady had another daughter, Liviya.  

As a “professional mom” and co-owner of Family Grounds Cafe Company, Brady’s wish is to pour her heart into Chicago children and families, particularly new moms. Similar to John, she shares a passion for coffee, community and kids. 

John TenBrink | Co-owner

“Anyone can be a father; it takes someone special to be a daddy.” - Anonymous

John sharpens himself against this motto every day, as his family is his primary commitment. According to John, a "daddy's" impact on a family is positively monumental!

John graduated with a BBA in marketing from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan and shortly thereafter moved to Chicago with his wife, Brady. Working in ad agencies and corporate Web marketing departments, John eventually obtained his Masters degree in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) from Northwestern University in 2005.  John is also a Natural Search Engine Optimization Strategist having worked at Performics, a world-leading SEO marketing agency.

Mixing passions for espresso, Chicago and family life, John understood that his heart called him to formulate the Family Grounds Cafe Company – a dream he shares with his wife, Brady. 

Exercising both creative and entrepreneurial spirits, while serving the Chicago community and his family, is John’s call to passionate living. 

Kelly Beers | Cafe Manager 

Kelly received her Associates degree in Culinary Arts from Grand Rapids Community College. Following her degree, she traveled to Italy to study the Italian Cuisine and completed her internship with a personal Chicago chef. Kelly shares a passion for coffee, food and Chicago!  

Additionally, Kelly also went on to complete her Bachelor's degree in Business Finance from Grand Valley State University. 

Growing up in Michigan, Kelly moved to Chicago to work alongside her sister, Brady, and brother-in-law, John, and contribute to opening the doors of Family Grounds Cafe to share the joy of coffee, friends and kids in the community!   

Victoria Young | Play Space Supervisor

Vicki, a child’s playmate and a parent’s saving grace. 

Vicki began her work with children as a camp counselor at Catherine Cook School while studying art at Palette and Chisel, a Chicago arts center.  She has since been a nanny, a Montessori teacher's assistant, nursery supervisor at Church of Our Saviour, and an activities coordinator for the Rhode Island Park District. 

Following ten years piled under paperwork, Vicki needed more meaning in her life.  She returned to Chicago to find her true vocation - sharing stories, art, games, laughter and life with children. 

Eager to interact with kids, stimulate an environment of learning and support parents, Vicki brings her enthusiasm and many years of child-activity experiences to Family Grounds Cafe. 

Samuel Nelson | Barista

Born and raised in Manhattan, Kansas, Samuel spent 8 years working in the arts, drinking coffee and studying Creative Writing at Kansas State University.  Following a trip to Chicago, he realized that he is not a Kansan, but instead a displaced Chicagoan and moved to Chicago in 2008.

Samuel began his barista career working a part-time job in Kansas.  Once in Chicago, he turned his passion for espresso and previous barista experience into a full-time vocation and immediately set to work handcrafting espresso-based drinks.

With a La Marzocco GB5 espresso machine, Swift Grinder and a squeeze of finesse, Samuel is waiting to serve you a cup of delicious-ness.  

Ben Spies | Barista

Ben spent his formative years trapped within an overactive imagination.  This manifested itself in a degree in Creative Writing and Radio Broadcasting from the University of Wisconsin, along with a lust for adventure.  He satisfied this for some time with a year of travel and community service with AmeriCorps NCCC, before deciding it was time again to re-enter society. 

A native of Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Ben now lives in the cultural capital of the Midwest, writing short fiction and attempting to perfect his latte-art rosetta for Family Grounds Cafe customers.

Anni Metz | Cashier & Play Space Assistant

A coffee drinker from birth (practically), Anni is thrilled to finally be working at a coffee shop!  Before joining the Family Grounds Cafe team, she attended college in Northwest Indiana (with a short stint in Mexico) and spent a year working as a community organizer in Atlanta with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.  After bouncing around for quite some time - she's lived in 5 different cities in the past 3 years - she's determined to settle down in Chicago.  When she's not working puzzles with your kids or serving you coffee, you can find her at DePaul's Loop campus working toward a Masters Degree in International Public Service. 

Anni's favorite things in life are coffee, laughter, and sunshine... luckily, even on rainy days, Family Grounds Cafe serves up enough of the first two to keep her happy!

Sara Powers | Cashier, Barista & Play Space Assistant

Sara Powers is so happy to be a part of the Family Grounds Cafe community! It is here where she has found the opportunity to combine two of her greatest passions; performing arts, and teaching/learning from children. Growing up, Sara has been constantly part of some sort of creative project, be it in the theatre, starring in independent films, or singing with a jazz band. Sara is currently studying at Second City, learning the art of improvisation…which comes in handy working with quick-witted kids! Before working at Family Grounds Cafe, she was a “Professional Princess”, leading kids through imaginary adventures and dramatic play. Sara is pleased to have met many self-proclaimed “Little Princesses” and "Little Princes" at Family Grounds Cafe, and she looks forward to all the adventures she will embark on each day with the limitless imaginations that your kids bring to our play space.