Getting to Know Us: Part III

This is our third and final instalment of the 'Get to Know Us' Blog.

Part III—The Office

Jen- Office Manager

Jen is our office manager and monarch of finances. She is the holder of all accounting knowledge. When Jen isn’t keeping us all in line she is spending time with her fiancé, Kelvin, or working at her own accounting business.

Maggie

I am the official voice of Higher Grounds. Whenever you call HG I will be the one to answer the phone. You know the person that magically changes your verbal coffee order into writing?... That’s me! When I’m not working on orders you will most likely find me tagging along with Emma (coffee bar manager) and Ruthie (bike delivery babe) on various adventures.

Phil- Sales Person

Phil is our trusty salesman. He is constantly on the lookout for new places to sell our coffee. This means that he makes it easier for you to find a place that sells your favorite coffee. Phil is always making trips to Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids to make sure all of our customers are happy and well provided for. When Phil isn’t selling our coffee he is sailing around Lake Michigan or hosting delicious BBQs.

Chris- Owner

Chris is the person responsible for creating Higher Grounds and the relationships with our farmers that makes us unique. Several years ago, Chris was one of the individuals who started an organization called Chiapas Water Project. Last year this non-profit organization expanded it's purpose to support sustainable community development in farming regions across the world and became known as On the Ground. When Chris isn't working (which is a rarity) he enjoys running and spending time with his friends and family.

You have now been formally introduced to everyone who has a hand in getting your coffee from the roaster to your mug. You may stop in anytime to meet one or all of the Higher Grounds family.

Getting to Know Us: Part II

This is the second of the three part blog allowing you to get to know all of us working to get you the best coffee possible.

Part II—The Roastery

Jason

Jason is the person who keeps us stocked up with fair trade green beans, roasts them to perfection and is still able to supervise all activities in the Roastery. He and his lovely wife, Becky, spent two years in Tanzania with the Peace Corps before they landed at Higher Grounds.

Karin

Karin is the jack-of-all-trades here at HG. Karin has dabbled in roasting, helps out in the coffee bar and is an essential asset to the roastery team. Karin’s area of expertise is training local (and not so local) coffee bars and cafes the proper technique for making specialty drinks. She spends most of her spare time outdoors, golfing and hunting.

Ruthie

Ruthie is our wonderful bike delivery babe. She spends her days at Higher Grounds delivering our coffee all around town. Even in the winter, when it is cold and blustery, Ruth is eager to get on her bike. When she isn’t riding a bike she would rather be riding a horse. Otherwise, you might see her Frisbee golfing with Emma (coffee bar manager) and their roommate, and friend of Higher Grounds, Sara.

Andy

Andy is the person in charge of bagging our coffee. He is originally from Indiana and has managed to make his way here. Andy has a deep appreciation of music and enjoys the northern Michagan experience whenever possible.

Getting to Know Us

Higher Grounds is introducing a three part blog to help you get to know the people that make and get you your coffee fix.

Part I of III: The Coffee Bar

Emma—coffee bar manager

Emma is our spunky coffee bar manager. She single-handedly keeps the coffee bar running smoothly, makes some of the most delicious specialty drinks around and orders our incredible fair trade products. Emma’s favorite thing in the whole world is her dog Liver (see the blog about our extended family). As a tribute to her best friend she even has a tattoo of Liver on her left arm.

Byron- Barista 

Byron is one of the new additions to the Higher Grounds crew. He has travelled all the way from Portland just to work with us (well…. Maybe not exactly, but that is what we like to think). Byron is just now settling in with his beautiful wife Kim. Kim and I have already discussed the fact that Byron is a keeper, not only as her husband but as a Higher Grounds barista.

Cody-Barista

Cody is another newbie to our family. He has chosen to spend his summer with us. We are sad to inform you that as soon as fall hits he will be returning to Grand Valley… but not before he has graced us with his latte making talents. When he isn’t at Higher Grounds he is racing his bicycle around town and occasionally in competitions.

Stop by to meet any of our coffee bar staff, they are very friendly and love new people! While you are at it you can come meet the whole gang.

How Our Products Support Social Justice

Have you ever wondered how Higher Grounds decides which amazing products to sell in the coffee bar?

In order to provide the best quality items with the greatest social impact, we do thorough research on our vendors. We strive to have as many local, fair trade, and organic products as possible. Here is a sampling of some of our favorites!

Our chocolate is delicious and made by farmers earning a fair wage. They are also offered the opportunity to educate themselves and their families.

All of our apparel is made by women provided with safe and fair working conditions.

The beautiful jewelry we sell is made by women to help give them financial independence and viable working skills.

Higher Grounds also supports our local community by selling the area’s best organic foods.

If you are in Northern Michigan stop by see us. Some of our products are also on-line at http://www.highergroundstrading.com/

New Faces in the Coffee Bar

Higher Grounds is welcoming two new baristas to its arsenal. Cody and Byron are our newest additions to the task force.

From left to right: Byron, Dan, Cody

Dan is showing the new guys the ropes, while enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee.  

In separate interrogations they both claimed that they would rather be Kevin Bacon in Footloose over Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing. Byron said that the sound track was better and Cody says that he has always wanted to be Kevin Bacon.

If Hollywood made a film about Byron he would want Clint Eastwood to play his role in a western interpretation of his life. Cody on the other hand chose Johnny Depp for his role in an overly dramatic French noire of his life.

We asked Byron if he would rather be a roadie for the Bee Gees or Lionel Richie. He said that since the Bee Gees are his mother-in-laws favorite band he would have to choose them in order to get her backstage.

When Cody was asked where his favorite place is he didn’t even hesitate when he said Wyoming. He said “there is just something nice about looking up and seeing mountains”.

Stop in to meet our corky new friends. They’re great, and we are sure you will agree!