For Robby Thomas, the mantra “it’s gonna be okay” has helped him through some of his darkest times. Now, the self-taught baker and one-half of the duo behind Perth’s immensely popular Knead Bread & Coffee, is helping to open the conversation around mental health.

Music lover, runner and self-taught baker, Robby Thomas is a man of many talents.

For the past decade he has delved into teaching himself the craft of sourdough, a side interest that quickly evolved into a passion and, when combined with extensive experience in cafés and hospitality, has made Robby a force to be reckoned with.

“I grew up on a small island on the east coast of Canada called Newfoundland. It’s such a unique part of the world with a large abundance of wild produce, seafood and game at your disposal,” Robby said.

“I grew up watching both my grandmothers baking fresh bread weekly. They are some of my fondest memories.”

Robby moved to Australia in the hopes of pursuing music on a professional level, but his ambition took an unexpected turn when his hobby of baking sourdough bread became all too obsessive.

The turning point came when competing on MasterChef Australia season 11 gave Robby what he describes as a kick in the arse to finally venture out and do his own thing.

“I was over working for the man and wanted to do my own thing,” he said.

Charissa suggested they open a café that also sold bread – the kind of place you can walk to on a Saturday morning to get a coffee and a hot loaf of bread – and Robby said he immediately was intrigued by the concept and the potential it held.

“Within minutes I had opened a real estate site up on my phone, found a spot close to our house and sent ‘enquire’. In less than two minutes I got a phone call that changed our lives,” he said.

Robby Thomas out the front of Knead Bread & Coffee

Making space

The end result was the wildly popular Knead Bread & Coffee, which Robby and Charissa opened just eight months later in the seaside suburb of Scarborough near Perth.

Originally a micro-bakery, it didn’t take long for word to spread amongst locals and the bakery quickly outgrew its space.

It’s an experience Robby said was tricky to navigate.

“We couldn’t produce enough product and would often sell out early to mid-morning, which sounds good but then had a negative effect on customer experience,” he said.

“People would arrive later in the morning and there would be little to nothing to choose from, resulting in bad reviews and the like.”

By 2022 – just three years after they first opened the bakery doors – Robby and Charissa were approached by their property management company about expanding into an adjacent venue. The move provided them with an additional 110sq m, which they turned into a dry store and the baking production room and enabled them to more than quadruple their production levels without getting too far ahead of themselves.

“The community absolutely blew us away! The support we feel from not only locals, but people who travel any distance to come and support our business, is just incredible,” Robby said.

“It still, at times, doesn’t feel real seven years in – although Knead wouldn’t be where it is today without the incredible team of bakers, baristas and staff. We are so grateful for each and everyone.”

Robby in the bakery with his staff

It’s Gonna Be Okay

Behind the glowing success of Knead Bread & Coffee, however, Robby was struggling.

He said for years he had struggled with mental health issues, and also had a drinking problem that he was in denial about.

“I had many insecurities and cared way too much about how I was seen, perceived and if people liked me,” Robby said.

“Although Knead was a success from the start, my drinking became heavier and more frequent. I drank a lot; I couldn’t go without a drink. I made some bad choices that I alone am responsible for, which had a huge impact on myself and everyone around me.

“But the first step to getting better and working through that is admitting you have a problem and asking for help. Lucky for me I have the most amazing person in my corner, Charissa.”

Robby said Charissa fought for him even when he had given up, and together they worked through the tough times.

At each step Charissa would tell Robby, “it’s gonna be okay”, a phrase that has since taken on a life of its own within Knead Bread & Coffee.

Following a minor facelift on the bakery, Charissa and Robby launched the It’s Gonna Be Okay campaign, with the aim of raising awareness surrounding mental health.

“It is such a simple thing, but in the heights of COVID and everything else that was going on, the campaign was something that kept me afloat,” Robby said.

“The response was overwhelming. The countless emails, DMs, messages and conversations – it was overwhelming. It really helped a lot of people going through different situations get through some tough times; Charissa and I being in that group.

“If it were not for Charissa I would not be here today. She is more than I deserve and is the most encouraging and supportive person I have and will ever know. She saw me through my darkest and most difficult days and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

As part of the campaign Knead Bread & Coffee released a range of “It’s Gonna Be Okay” branded merchandise, from hats to bags, mugs and t-shirts. Robby also shares his story openly in a video posted on the bakery’s website.

It was a decision made, Robby said, based on the fact it could help open the conversation around mental health, and hopefully help make a difference.

“I thought that maybe if I shared what I was going through, surely someone was going through the same thing and was drowning like I was. Maybe I could inspire or encourage them to get help sooner than later,” Robby said.

“The response was so special and hard at times. Hearing stories of family members passing away suddenly, mental health turmoil, anxiety, depression; many different walks of life. These people would come into our little bakery to be greeted with a yummy treat and warming drink and could see the positive atmosphere that we had recently created along with the visuals of the campaign. Their day would be impacted just enough.”

As part of the It’s Gonna Be Okay campaign Robby and Charissa created branded merchandise

Creating building blocks

These days the future is looking bright for Robby. There has been travel and networking with bakers from around the world, in addition to conversations around a potential second location for Knead Bread & Coffee – a step he said he and Charissa will only take if it feels right. If that wasn’t enough, Robby has also been working behind the scenes on a bread book.

Personally, Robby has also celebrated two years sober, and said he is feeling great.

“I feel like I have wound the clock back a few years and I’m finally able to be more present for my partner, my kids and myself,” he said.

“I love what I do and don’t see myself stopping any time soon.”

When asked what advice he’d pass onto others navigating dark times, Robby was candid – just be there for those in your life.

“Mental health issues will sadly always be a growing issue, especially in this hospitality and food industry,” he said.

“If you or anyone you know – or suspect you know – may be dealing with something, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you see something, just be there. Call your mates. You never know the impact.”