When Christopher Bilyk received his COVID-19 stimulus check in 2020, he decided to put the money toward something more than short-term relief. He invested it in an idea that would eventually become State of Gratitude, a New York City-based lifestyle brand built around gratitude, connection and second chances.
For Bilyk, the concept was personal.
After years of battling addiction, he entered recovery and began practicing gratitude as part of rebuilding his life. His experiences with recovery, identity and belonging also influenced the community he wanted to create as an openly gay entrepreneur.
What began with a few thousand dollars and a simple product has since grown into State of Gratitude, a social enterprise encompassing fashion, accessories, pop-ups, immersive retreats and community experiences. The brand has established a presence at New York City destinations and markets, including Chelsea Market and Bryant Park.
Now, Bilyk is expanding the mission beyond the business with the launch of The State of Gratitude Foundation, a New York 501(c)(3) public charity focused on creating opportunities for people navigating recovery, financial hardship and major life transitions.
The foundation plans to support its mission through education, mentorship, employment pathways, community programming and charitable partnerships. At its core is an idea Bilyk knows firsthand: having an opportunity to start over can change the direction of a person’s life.
The foundation represents the next chapter in Bilyk’s entrepreneurial journey, connecting the personal experiences that shaped him with a broader effort to support others.
His story also reflects a distinctly New York entrepreneurial path. State of Gratitude was launched during the uncertainty of the pandemic, when businesses across the city were facing unprecedented challenges. Rather than allowing the circumstances to stop him, Bilyk used his stimulus payment to take a chance on an idea rooted in his own transformation.
As the brand grew, so did its focus on community.
Through the foundation, Bilyk hopes to create pathways for people who may be facing circumstances similar to those he experienced. The organization will focus on practical opportunities while also emphasizing connection and support.
Bilyk’s journey from addiction and recovery to entrepreneurship provides the foundation for the organization’s mission. His experience has shaped his belief that meaningful change often begins when people are given the resources, encouragement and opportunity to move forward.
Today, State of Gratitude is more than a lifestyle brand. With the foundation’s launch, Bilyk is attempting to turn his own second chance into a model for helping others find theirs — demonstrating how a small business born during one of New York’s most difficult periods can evolve into an effort focused on creating opportunity and community impact.