About
Greg and Hillary Kennon, the Texas couple behind the YouTube channel Kinetic Kennons, began with a simple premise: an ordinary American couple trades their life in Dallas for an adventure in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. With a YouTube channel that now commands an audience of over 232,000 subscribers and has amassed more than 56 million views across 1,275 videos, that initial premise has evolved into a well-organized multi-platform media operation. The Kennons have carefully transformed their personal journey from a travel vlog into a diversified business, culminating in the launch of Con Todo Coffee, a social enterprise that embodies the brand's core ethos.
Kinetic Kennons: History and Growth
The foundation of Kinetic Kennons is rooted in the complementary skills of its founders. Hillary Kennon is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Texas, holding both a Bachelor's in Accounting and a Master's in Taxation from the University of North Texas. Greg Kennon, described as a "writer" and "fitness enthusiast," became the primary creative force. Originating from Texas, they cultivated an identity centered on being "fairly ordinary people" burdened by conventional responsibilities like student loan debt.
Their journey was born from what they called "caffeine induced conversations about how people should travel more." Motivated by the motto "Have Less. Do More. Be More," they began the transition in August 2016. The move was strategically de-risked: Greg quit his job in Texas to focus on the channel, while Hillary's ability to continue working remotely for her CPA firm provided a crucial financial safety net. After settling in Puerto Vallarta in March 2017, they committed to an intense daily vlogging schedule.
A pivotal moment arrived in February 2018 when Hillary's employer deemed her remote work arrangement "too risky," a challenge she detailed in a long-form essay on Medium. This event forced them to fully commit to their venture, energizing their community and solidifying their path as full-time creators. The brand's narrative has since evolved to include their transition to parenthood with the births of their two daughters, Emma and Olivia.
Kinetic Kennons: Content and Style
The channel's content has matured through three distinct phases. The initial period, from 2016 to 2018, was defined by the high-volume daily vlog. This raw, unfiltered format documented their "gringo experience," from navigating local markets to discovering cultural nuances, establishing them as pioneers in the expat vlogging niche.
The second phase, from 2018 to 2021, saw a shift toward more structured, thematic content. They moved beyond daily chronicles to produce practical guides on the cost of living, explorations of other Mexican regions, and live Q&A sessions. Videos from this era broke down the costs of everyday life, providing price-at-a-glance lists for stores like Oxxo (12 eggs for $1.96, 4 tacos for $4.46) and Walmart (a pint of Ben & Jerry's for $8.81, a bottle of Don Julio tequila for $34.96).
The current phase, which began in 2022, is defined by a significant rebranding around the "Bucket List" mission. This framework broadened their scope beyond Mexico, allowing for international travel to places like Poland. Their content now includes high-production explorations of the Puerto Vallarta real estate market, such as a detailed comparison of a $350,000 condo in the Romantic Zone against a $1.4 million luxury unit in the exclusive La Cima III building.
How Kinetic Kennons Makes Money
The Kennons' business model is a well-executed example of revenue diversification. Direct audience support forms a key pillar, with a long-running Patreon community—branded as their "Taco Stand"—offering exclusive content, alongside options for one-time PayPal donations.
Affiliate and partnership revenue is a significant component. They have forged collaborations with local Puerto Vallarta businesses like Vallarta Food Tours, offering discount codes like "Kinetic," and have monetized their language-learning journey through partnerships with services such as Baselang and Pimsleur. Their influence is most evident in high-value collaborations, exemplified by their work with the Paul Trimmer Real Estate agency.
The launch of Con Todo Coffee in 2021 represents the apex of their business strategy. The company's origin story—a search for authentic Mexican coffee unavailable in the U.S.—is a natural extension of their brand. Structured as a social enterprise under the philosophy of "People over profits," Con Todo Coffee is built on three pillars: ethically sourcing beans from farms in Chiapas and Nayarit; fighting hunger through a partnership with Mexico's largest food bank, where every bag purchased provides three meals; and supporting education by funding a primary school at the 'Finca Las Chicharras' farm in Chiapas. The coffee brand is seamlessly integrated across their platforms and is available on Amazon, creating a powerful cycle where content drives commerce and the company's mission reinforces brand authenticity.
Kinetic Kennons' Collaborations
The Kennons have embedded themselves within the local and national business community in Mexico. Their work with Paul Trimmer Real Estate positions them as a key media partner in the high-end Puerto Vallarta property market. Similarly, collaborations with tourism operators like Vallarta Food Tours and Cookin' Vallarta demonstrate a deep integration with the local economy. Their most impactful partnership is with Alimento Para Todos, the largest food bank in Mexico, which serves as the operational backbone for the social mission of their Con Todo Coffee brand.
Kinetic Kennons: Public Reception
The brand has not been subject to major public controversies. The Kennons have strategically used moments of professional and personal challenge to build trust and rally their community. The most significant of these was the 2018 ultimatum from Hillary's employer, which they framed not as a crisis but as a turning point. They have also been transparent about the realities of their profession, creating videos like "Why We Quit Youtube" to address creative burnout. This willingness to share struggles has been central to their public reception, cementing their image as genuine and trustworthy figures in a polished digital landscape.
Kinetic Kennons: Philanthropy
Philanthropy is not an afterthought for the Kinetic Kennons brand; it is a core operational principle. Before launching their coffee company, they demonstrated their commitment by collaborating with the Alimento Para Todos food bank on a major fundraiser, walking 100 kilometers to help raise $100,000 pesos. This ethos is now permanently embedded in their business through Con Todo Coffee. The promise of donating three meals for every bag of coffee sold is a central part of its value proposition. Furthermore, the company gives a portion of its profits directly to support a primary school at one of its partner farms in Chiapas.
Kinetic Kennons Today
Today, Greg and Hillary Kennon are established entrepreneurs and parents, their professional focus increasingly shifting from the daily grind of content creation to the strategic expansion of their business portfolio. The YouTube channel remains the heart of their brand, but it now functions primarily as the storytelling and marketing engine for the 'Con Todo' setup. Their journey from "fairly ordinary people" to the owners of a multi-faceted media and CPG brand offers a blueprint for a sustainable career in the creator economy. Their future success will depend on their ability to navigate the inherent tension between their relatable origins and their current success, ensuring their audience continues to feel like a partner on the journey.