Inside State of Gratitude: The Small Business Making a Big Impact on Recovery Communities

This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.

There are a lot of great small business brands out there, but only a few stand apart, making a real difference in the community. State of Gratitude is one such brand. Founded by Chris Bilyk, the brand's mission is simple: live in a perpetual state of gratitude for how far you’ve come, no matter how long the road is.

Bilyk was inspired to start the brand after his own recovery from drug and alcohol addiction showed him how few resources exist to support individuals once they leave rehab. He wanted others to know that they’re never alone and give them an opportunity to build a tangible future.

Not only does the brand provide financial assistance to those in need, but it’s also partnered with Her 2nd Chance to create work for women in recovery. Read on to learn more about Bilyk’s story, State of Gratitude’s mission, and the real impact it’s made for thousands of individuals.

Shop State of Gratitude

Can you take me back to the moment you decided to start State of Gratitude? What sparked it?

I had been thinking about starting some kind of initiative, and I’ve always loved telling people to live in a State of Gratitude. But what truly sparked it was the pandemic - and those stimulus checks. I suddenly had time, $1,200, and this vivid dream that I was selling t-shirts. I literally woke up in the middle of the night and said, “Let’s do it.”

I contacted a local silk screen print shop in Austin, had them digitize a logo I’d sketched on a piece of paper, and spent $1,000 printing tees. I used the rest to set up Shopify and handle whatever else came my way. I watched hundreds of hours of YouTube tutorials on building an e-commerce brand because I had zero background in retail or design. And back then, we didn’t have ChatGPT to help.

Once the tees arrived a few weeks later, I launched the website - and the rest is history.

You’ve shared that this brand was born out of your own recovery journey. How did your personal story shape the foundation of the company?

Living in sober living opened my eyes to something crucial: there’s a bridge missing between treatment and long-term recovery. There are endless resources for getting sober, but once you leave treatment, the message becomes, “Good luck - you're on your own.” I wanted State of Gratitude to support people in that interim space - to help relieve the stressors that often push people back into relapse. Jobs, opportunity, community - those things matter.

Why do you think fashion and lifestyle are powerful vehicles for telling stories of second chances?

Simple, subtle reminders keep us grounded - especially during moments when we feel like we have nothing. A t-shirt or an intention wrap can be that reminder. My apartment is surrounded by the word “gratitude”- on the clothes, the accessories, the walls - so even subconsciously, it shifts my mindset. It’s pretty much impossible to be ungrateful in my house. LOL.

Your ~1,000-bead gratitude intention bracelet is such a signature piece - how did that design come to life, and what does it represent to you?

I’m not loud or flashy - I like sleek, understated, simple, but elegant. I wanted to create something unique and indestructible. I live a very active life - working out, beach, pool, travel - so the bracelet had to keep up.

I spent time in the Miami jewelry district, talking to shop owners and learning, until I landed on a design I could make myself, and make well. It’s been tweaked since Day 1, but the core is the same.

To me, it represents resilience, drive, and the desire to become a better person.

Shop The Intention Wrap bracelet

Building a brand with such a mission-driven core must come with its own challenges. What’s been the hardest part of this journey?

The responsibility of knowing that other people’s livelihoods depend on us can feel heavy. That’s part of growth, but it’s a big shift. I’m learning how to manage that pressure and carve out time for myself, which helps.

When it was just me, any setback only affected me. Now we support so many people, and payroll days can be stressful - especially heading into the holidays when everything requires upfront cash. I’m often like, “Please dear Jesus, let there be enough to cover everything.” LOL.

On the flip side, what’s been the most rewarding moment so far?

Any time I get an unexpected email or message from someone saying our message impacted them. Those moments remind me that this is so much bigger than me.

What does gratitude mean to you today, compared to when you first started this brand?

It’s much simpler now. I used to feel like I needed some deep, complex answer whenever someone asked. That’s just not who I am at my core - I was a finance major, I’m used to solving complex things.

Today, it’s just a smile. It’s seeing gratitude in everything - always. Running water, sunshine, my supportive parents. It’s living with intention and constantly reminding myself of that.

What are your future plans and goals for State of Gratitude?

I don’t set expectations or rigid plans - they can be limiting. We’re here today because we stayed open to every opportunity without judgment. That said, we are focused on creating beautiful shared experiences through travel. Our next adventure is February 2026 in Punta Cana, DR. (More info here: https://www.stateofgratitude.com/pages/retreat)

Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Everyone has their own reason for living in a State of Gratitude, and every one of those reasons is valid.

We also host retreats - if you want to travel with intentional, like-minded people, Punta Cana 2026 is that opportunity. It’s our sixth retreat and our first international one. We’re so excited to bring it to life. These trips have been an amazing way to connect and build on what already exists.

Shop State of Gratitude