Find Your Summit: Recent Episodes
Summit Coffee
hosted by Summit Coffee — Brian Helfrich, CEO, and Leah Middleton, Marketing Manager, provide insight into the journey of building a brand and the inside scoop of Summit Coffee, a growing national coffee brand.
How do you lead a dynamic staff in 2023? Emma Rieves, Summit Coffee's Head of Davidson Operations, draws from her experience managing 20+ peers to offer advice on hiring, managing, leading, and navigating the service industry. Emma discusses the importance of creativity and curiosity among her staff, how to lead with empathy, and what we can learn from seeing Lizzy McAlpine in concert.
You know what we love? Hospitality. We love to share it, experience it, talk about it, argue about it. On this week's podcast, Brian and Laura banter about what hospitality means to us, sharing good (and bad) examples while acknowledging that it's not a one-size-fits-all idea. Tune in, get excited, let's talk hospitality!
Summit Coffee's Chief Concept Officer, Dora Callahan, stops by the podcast to stress how imperative it is for a business to have a clear identity. We talk about how to craft an identity for your startup or existing business, how identities evolve, and why sometimes knowing what paths NOT to go down is just as important as what paths to choose.
How do you lead with purpose? How do you identify which purpose is right for both you and your business or brand? Tim Helfrich, owner of Summit Coffee since 2003, walks us through his process, what he's learned through years of leadership, and how to navigate the sometimes frequent conflicts between purpose and profit.
The Find Your Summit podcast is a product of Summit Coffee, an award-winning coffee roaster and retailer based in North Carolina.
Summit Coffee CEO Brian Helfrich introduces us to the 4th season of the Find Your Summit podcast. This 11-episode season focuses on what it takes to run a coffee business. The episodes will feature insights, anecdotes, and hopefully some entertainment from various people in the Summit universe. In Ep. 1, Brian previews the season and provides a little background on how we got here and what's been happening with Summit in the year (whoops) since Season 3 wrapped.
On today's episode we say good-bye to co-host (or host?) to Leah, our Marketing Manager. We talk about what inspired this journey and her time at Summit.
This week we discuss the new opportunity Summit Coffee has and how we went about creating a new brand for this project!
For thoughts, questions, and collaborations contact podcast@summitcoffee.com
This week we have a 3 person episode featuring Dora Callahan! We talk about finding balance with life and work, and what our lives would look like if we didn't experience the pandemic.
This week we chat about revising Brian's word for the year and how the weight of decision making is a season many business owners and leadership go through. How do you decide on such big decisions?
Send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com and catch us again next week!
This week we're back from a short hiatus and discuss what felt like a loss last week on a few different things Summit discovered. Send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com or watch the episode on our YouTube channel!
This week we celebrate the one year anniversary of the Find Your Summit podcast. Brian and Leah chat about celebrating victories and the importance of celebrating yourself and recognizing how far you've come. Watch the full episode on YouTube and send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com!
This week we discuss some workplace nerves and fears we have and how we try to overcome them. Send thoughts/comments to podcast@summitcoffee.com, and feel free to watch the episode now on YouTube!
This week we talk about the importance of flexibility and when running a business during difficult times, being able to adapt can actually inspire innovation and creativity that'll catapult your business.
Send inquiries to podcast@summitcoffee.com
Our other platforms if you want to join us:
instagram.com/summitcoffee
summitcoffee.com
Season 3 Drops NOW! And it's time to change things up a bit We've had lots of fun with the Find Your Summit™ Podcast. But now we want to offer y'all a deeper look into the weekly story of building the Summit Coffee brand. There's a whole lot going on, and our intent is to offer an authentic, wide-open, behind-the-curtain view of all that means -- the joy, the struggles, the laughing, the lonely office days, the grand openings, the misses.Leah and Brian will captain this podcast all year long, and bring in friends from inside and outside the Summit world to share their wisdom about specific events like our first café in Georgia, and more abstract topics like empathy and leadership.
If you haven't tuned in yet, catch us on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or whatever your platform of podcast choice! PLUS, new for season 3, you can find the episodes on YouTube also.
Welcoming 2022 with a new special guest, Dora Callahan! This week we ring in the new year with a new segment of taste-testing items from the grocery aisles. Dora selection five items to Leah's surprise — watch the full episode here for the full experience.
This week our podcast episode is now available on YouTube! This week Brian and Leah chat about holiday traditions and the draft of favorite snacks — be sure to vote on Instagram stories!
This week we're back and starting with our holiday movie draft! We talk a bit about childhood holiday movies and Leah's return from the UK. Be sure to vote on our Instagram stories!
This week's draft is celebrating Taylor Swift's Red album release by choosing the best songs. Be sure to vote on Instagram Stories!
This week we rant about gum and the history of gum with the featured draft of favorite eggs. It sounds strange, but just give it a listen and you'll get it. Send thoughts/feedback to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
After two days of leadership workshops, this week's draft we're talking about the best type of dog breeds that we know for you to vote on Instagram!
This Halloween weekend, our draft is about the 5 best holidays. We chat about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and how Brian has never watched Hocus Pocus.
This week's draft is all about the top 5 US cities to visit — excluding any cities within North Carolina. Be sure to follow along and vote on our Instagram Stories! If you have draft topics in mind, be sure to send them our way at podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week's draft for Brian and Leah is featuring the best 5-course meal. Who will you vote for?
We're back with season 2 of Find Your Summit Stories, sharing stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things! And this week we're kicking off the new season with Mallorie, owner and founder of Jars of Dust from Virginia Beach. If you're not familiar with Jars of Dust, just check out their Instagram. You're gonna wanna see it for yourself. We chat about her entrepreneur journey, the growth of Jars of Dust, and being an Enneagram 8.
This week we're talking about Halloween candy in celebration for spooky season. Probably one of the most important drafts of the season. Vote for your favorite on Instagram stories now!
Welcome back to Season 2 of Your Morning Coffee! We're introducing a new segment into the show and to kick things off we're talking about the fall season and doing a fall wardrobe draft. To determine who wins, you will vote! Send us your thoughts at podcast@summitcoffee.com.
Today we're chatting with Tim Helfrich of Summit Coffee about the upcoming 7 Summits Music Tour! Tune in for a bit of music history at Summit and the tour dates.
During Outdoor Retailer, we were very lucky to sit down with our friend Phil Henderson to talk about his story and goal behind the new expedition in 2022.
This week we get back into the groove of podcasting after a short hiatus from Outdoor Retailer! We chat about whether or not marketing jobs should require a marketing degree. Come hang out and enjoy your morning coffee with us!
This week we're podcasting live from Denver, Colorado for the Outdoor Retailer, and wow, we have some pretty amazing guests this week. Starting with Roy Tuscany, Founder and CEO of High Fives Foundation. We chat about his accident and recovery, and why he started High Fives Foundation. To learn more, go to https://highfivesfoundation.org/about/. Join the conversation with us!
This week we're podcasting from the roastery to chat about prepping up for Outdoor Retailer and chat about the fun meter. We talk about the route to Outdoor Retailer and what we're most looking forward to. Keep up with our roadtrip on Instagram @summitcoffee!
This week we welcome Rosie Molinary, author and presenter, to chat about her personal journey, the writing process, and a flashback to Brian in his teenage years!
We're LIVE! This week we're covering the Birkdale Summit Coffee location in Huntersville while enjoying our morning coffee. If you missed out Instagram Live, we chatted about how powerful the energy is around Summit's grand openings. Tune in with your morning coffee and join the fun!
This week we welcome Chris Helfrich, President and CEO of Eat Learn Play, located in Oakland, California — a nonprofit to help fight childhood hunger. Join the conversation and send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
Today we're enjoying our coffee and conversation from the front porch. We chat about fanny packs, working out in gyms, and prepping up for our road trip to Denver for Outdoor Retailer! Join us for your morning coffee. Send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week we sit down with The Varvaros. If you follow our Instagram account, you may have noticed the news about Summit Coffee NoDa. We are so excited to welcome them to the Summit family and as official owners of our NoDa cafe! Be sure to stop by there and say hello!
This week Brian and Leah podcast from their new podcasting studio to chat about mowing grass and roadtrip snacks. Grab your morning coffee and join us. As always, feel free to send thoughts/stories/etc. to podcast@summitcoffee.com!
This week we're thrilled to welcome ultra-marathon runner, Courtney Dauwalter. Dauwalter has created records and smiles throughout her running career. Today, we chat about her most recent race, what drives her every day, candy, and aspirations. As always, send thoughts and questions to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week Brian returns after a vacation and Leah talks about her birthday trip up north. Join us for your morning coffee! Send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week Leah welcomes special guest, Cat Cormier, a field producer and paranormal activity investigator from New Hampshire to chat through some popular conspiracy theories. We hope you enjoy your morning coffee with us! Join Brian and Leah next week. Send thoughts/comments to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week we welcomed our friend Bryce Raul Laguer, an entrepreneur at heart, to chat about his journey and approach to his businesses. Grab your coffee and join us! Send any thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week we talk about Leah's issues with Google and the anxiety around public pools. We know, there is no correlation between the two but give a listen and see how this unfolds. Send thoughts/comments to podcast@summitcoffee.com!
This week we welcome POLITICO Magazine senior staff writer, Michael Kruse. We chat about his writing career and his approach to covering stories. Send thoughts and comments to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week we chat about Leah's house hunting fail and Summit Coffee embarking on another year at Outdoor Retailer this August! Join us for your morning coffee and send thoughts/comments to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week we're welcoming Vice President of Brand Development, Dora Callahan, to chat about Pride Month, how we can improve as a company and each of our individual Summit career stories. Join the conversation and send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com!
This week we're chatting about Brian's trip to Florida and what it's like traveling again. We also talk about Brian's full circle moment working in a bread factory — wild, right? As always, send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week we're welcoming cofounder of Pip & Grow, Kate Compton Barr, to chat about her entrepreneurial journey, lessons learned about owning a business, and parenting. Join the conversation with your cup of coffee! As always, send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week we're asking a daunting question: if you knew when you die, would you want to know? Leah talks a bit about her natal birth chart reading experience and Brian chats about his people-pleasing qualities. Tell us your response: podcast@summitcoffee.com.
Welcome back to Find Your Summit Stories where we welcome entrepreneur motivational speaker, Wes Knight. We dig into his newest adventures, his journey to get to where he is, and what inspires him daily to keep pushing to be the best. As always, send thoughts and comments to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
Good morning! This week we're talking about the stigma around turning 30 as Leah mentions her existential crisis of quickly approaching 30. Grab your coffee and join us during your morning coffee. Send thoughts and comments to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
Grab your coffee and join Brian and Leah as they chat about all things "boojie". We talk about fancy cheese, Brian's shoe collection, and how lucky Leah was to find gas before the gas shortage. Send thoughts and comments to podcast@summitcoffee.com!
This week we welcome our friend, Founder and Head Enabler at Human Powered Movement, Adam Bratton. We talk about Adam's ah-ha moment to pursue a new career path as well as what brings us joy in light of our #findyourjoy campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month.
This week we're chatting with Joe and Katy Kindred about navigating a business through a pandemic as well as launching new business ventures and balancing mental health. Grab your coffee and join the conversation! Send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
Good morning! We're talking about feelings, given that it's Mental Health Awareness Month. Follow along with our #findyourjoy campaign by tagging us in your posts about what brings you joy or sending us a note to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
For Mental Health Awareness month, we're talking with Summit staff members Dora Callahan and Tim Helrich about what brings them joy and how we're implementing new policies to support our baristas and their wellness. Join us by sharing what brings you joy using #findyourjoy2021 or send us a note to podcast@summitcoffee.com!
This week we're talking about the most important meal of the day — breakfast. We learn that Brian isn't a fan of oatmeal or eggs while Leah refuses to miss out on a brunch opportunity. Join us during your morning coffee for a chat!
Send your thoughts and comments to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week we're chatting with Davidson Wine Co. owner, Lindsey Williams. Davidson Wine Co. started out of the desire to bring affordable and locally made wine options to Davidson. We chat with Lindsey about following her passion and owning her own wine company. Grab your coffee and join the conversation!
Good morning, listeners! Brian and Leah here to start your day off and enjoy your morning coffee by first discussing ASMR — soothing or scary? — and some of our favorite TV shows that we grew up with. Thoughts and comments are welcome at podcast@summitcoffee.com.
This week we're welcoming the musician of our Find Your Summit theme song, Lewis Beard. We chat about his upcoming album and his musical journey. Grab a coffee or tea and join the conversation! As always, feel free to send thoughts to podcast@summitcoffee.com.
Seriously though, why don't they? This is a question Brian and Leah ponder on this week's Your Morning Coffee episode, along with childhood experiences with school buses and childhood dreams.
Do you have a childhood memory that stands out from your time on a school bus? Share with us at podcast@summitcoffee.com!
Today's story features Summit Coffee's new hire, Brett Dioguardi. Brett will be joining the Summit Coffee team this Summer in the newly created position of Director of Sustainability + Supply Chain. The creation of this position deepens Summit’s commitment to sustainability, in regards to the environment, the communities where Summit exists, and the manner in which we employ people. Join the chat and get to know Brett!
Introducing our new segment from Find Your Summit — Your Morning Coffee! In these mini-episode segments, you'll join Leah and Brian for a brief morning chat. This week we're talking about a serious controversial topic: Is Emo Really Dead? Be sure to send in your thoughts at podcast@summitcoffee.com.
We chat a bit about "ah-ha!" moments and Brian's 15-hour race. Then we welcome guest Chris Moxley from 704Shop and was rewarded Charlotte Business Journal Top 40 under 40. Join the conversation with a cup of coffee!
Welcome back to Episode 9! Brian and Leah start the day by chatting about the importance of taking mental health days. We welcome guest Olivia Wolff from UpDog Kombucha to chat about her exciting business venture! Grab your tea or coffee and join the conversation.
We're a year since North Carolina place a Stay-at-Home order. The streets were quiet, our cafes were empty... it was miserable, as other businesses can relate. In the midst of what felt like the end, we had a new beginning — Summit Coffee Drive To featuring Kindred milk bread donuts, the single thing that kept the company afloat. Today we're talking about how the idea came about with our guest, Tim Helfrich, to relive that wild week.
Ok, what are you most afraid of, space or the ocean? Brian and Leah debate which one is more frightening. Then joined by star athlete, Kelly Fillnow, to talk about her journey and overcoming obstacles, including her fear of the ocean! Grab your headphones and join the conversation.
In this week's episode, we talk about the NoDa cafe break-in and how it resembled the last year or so. We welcome Garrett Tichy, owner of Hygge Coworking, and chat about how he's handled the pandemic. Grab your coffee, tea, beer, or wine, and join the conversation!
In this episode, Brian and Leah chat about their writing history and creativity. We welcome our guest, David Dennis Jr., an Atlanta-based journalist, who was one of the receivers for the American Mosaic Journalism Prize for his piece “Ahmaud Arbery Will Not be Erased”. Grab your coffee and join the conversation!
This week we're joined by Diana Mnatsakanyan-Sapp, Southeast US Market Development Manager of Oatly. We chat about our first experience with coffee and Diana's wild career journey paired with plenty of laughs. Grab your coffee and join the fun!
Grab your coffee and tune in on this week's episode. Brian and Leah are accompanied by Dora to chat about Taylor Swift's surprising news, a brief chat about COVID, and the exciting launch of Summit's new Ambassador Program!
In this episode, Brian and Leah chat about strange American holidays and the announcement of the Huntersville cafe. They also interview Mbye Njie, founder of Legal Equalizer, an app to help individuals in emergency situations such as encounters with law enforcement or immigration authorities.
Grab a cup of coffee, put in your headphones for your run, or tune in on your daily commute. In our introductory episode, Brian, Leah, and Dora chat about the purpose of the Find Your Summit Podcast, where winter birds go to sleep, and the month of February. This sounds odd, you might be thinking, and sometimes it might be like that while others we'll have a guest speaker chatting about extraordinary things.