Building Culture and Community Through Fast Casual Natural Food at Roots

We’re excited to share the story behind Roots Natural Kitchen, the fast-casual restaurant making waves with its radically accessible, natural food. We sit down with Henry Borgeson, CEO of Roots, to explore how the brand grew from a single college-town eatery in 2015 to a mission-driven company with over 16 locations and a team of more than 750 employees.

Henry shares how a group of UVA students teamed up with local chefs to create the kind of restaurant they—and their university community—craved: a place where great-tasting, wholesome food didn’t have to be complicated or inaccessible.

We discuss Roots’ unique philosophy of combining bold flavors with simplicity, the behind-the-scenes technology and menu innovations driving their rapid growth, and how they’re building a culture rooted in empathy, resilience, and humility.

From catering for major Columbus events to cultivating community partnerships and expanding across the Midwest, hear how Roots keeps authenticity at its core while meeting customers—quite literally—where they are (yes, including drive-thrus!).

Whether you’re a health-conscious foodie, aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about what it takes to grow a value-driven brand, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Inspiring Moments

00:00 Founding a Healthy Fast-Casual Eatery

05:30 Radically Accessible Opportunities at Roots

07:03 "Signature Bowls: Roots' Unique Appeal"

11:36 Drive-Thru Accessibility Innovation

14:04 "Restaurant Online Ordering Evolution"

15:42 Quick Pivot: Pre-COVID Ordering App

20:50 "Versatile Catering Options"

25:02 "Values-Driven, Principle-Based Success"

27:04 "Challenges in Vision and Capital"

29:55 Restaurant Fundraisers: Community Partnerships

32:58 Roots Menu Innovation: New Steak Offering

Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone interested in scaling a purpose-driven business:

• Radical Accessibility is More Than Just a Slogan: Roots’ focus on making healthy, tasty food convenient and approachable—regardless of your dietary needs or background—has set them apart. Their signature bowls simplify decisions for customers and allow customization while ensuring flavor and nutrition.
• Growth Powered by Customer Feedback: Expansion strategies were informed by listening closely to what each new community wanted, whether that meant developing an ordering app, launching catering, or adding drive-thru service in Columbus. Meeting customers where they are is at the heart of the Roots philosophy!
• Values-Driven Hiring & Culture: At Roots, team members are hired and trained based on shared values like friendliness, empathy, resilience, and humility, not just experience. This commitment fuels a culture of operational excellence and empowers employees to grow within the company.

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

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If you’re curious about what it takes to blend tradition, innovation, and community into a small business, this episode is for you.

Welcome to a fresh episode of Business Inspires, the podcast powered by the Tri Village Chamber Partnership! In today’s conversation, co-hosts Katie Ellis and Brett Johnson sit down with Daniel Hamm, the new owner of Winans Coffee and Chocolate in Grandview Yard. Daniel brings a genuine passion for hospitality, a rich background in restaurant management, and a heartfelt connection to the Grandview community—which has been his home for nearly two decades.

Daniel shares his personal journey from Rochester, New York to Columbus, Ohio, his initial hesitancy and ultimate embrace of the franchise model, and how Winans became a staple in his personal and professional life.

He discusses plans for an exciting store refresh, including cozy new seating, decor updates, and specialty offerings like the much-anticipated Taylor Swift-inspired "Showgirl" latte.

Daniel also gives us a peek at upcoming holiday treats, from Buckeyes to chocolate-dipped Oreos and a new hot cocoa gift line. Plus, he teases community-focused initiatives and shares what success will look like in his first year of ownership.

Here's the link Daniel mentions to order the holiday guide and support Winans in Grandview.

And stay tuned for details about Winans’ upcoming grand re-opening, complete with free coffee for a year for the first 25 in line and plenty of chocolate samples to go around!

Here are 3 key takeaways:

• Community-Driven Business: Daniel’s deep connection to Grandview shines through his commitment to making Winans more than a coffee shop—he’s partnering with local schools and organizations, making the shop a true community hub.
• Embrace Change & Creativity: Although initially hesitant about franchising, Daniel found that the right franchise can support creative visions. His upcoming refresh of Winans includes cozier seating, new menu options, and a more vibrant atmosphere.
• Continuous Learning: Even with years of food service experience, Daniel shares candidly about the surprises and “learning curves”—like the unpredictability of espresso machines! He’s focused on creating memorable customer experiences and building genuine relationships.

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by:

• City of Upper Arlington.

To schedule a guest appearance, or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:

Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

katie@chamberpartnership.org

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

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Today, we sit down with John Riley and Deborah Andrews, the dynamic team behind Ready Set Agile.

With years of experience in agile coaching, people operations, and organizational transformation, John and Deborah share how they help businesses align technical and cultural strategies for long-term success. You’ll hear the story of how Ready Set Agile was born, the importance of company culture in navigating change, and practical insights on fostering self-managing teams that thrive through continuous learning.

Whether you’re a leader looking to drive real, lasting change or someone passionate about workforce development, this conversation delivers fresh perspectives and actionable takeaways for everyone looking to build a more agile and resilient organization.

Inspiring Moments

00:00 Agile Experts John & Deborah Andrews

03:43 Deborah's Impactful Leadership Journey

08:01 Aligning Vision for Effective Solutions

13:17 Consulting vs. Coaching Models

14:43 Empowering Through Coaching

18:40 "Empowering Change Agents Over Leaders"

22:59 Workshops: Personalized Common Experiences

25:45 Next Gen Talent Development Program

27:36 Reach Out for Agile Collaboration

3 key takeaways that stood out:

• Culture is the Gatekeeper: Deborah shared how true organizational culture shows itself under pressure, not just when things are going well. Building psychological safety is essential to creating self-managing, innovative teams.
• Coaching Over Consulting: Instead of just solving short-term problems, Ready Set Agile arms teams and individuals with skills and tools for continuous improvement. The goal? To make organizations self-sufficient and adaptable long after the engagement ends.
• Everyone Can Be a Leader: Leadership and change don't just flow from the top. By empowering “change agents” at every level (even the quiet knowledge-keepers), Ready Set Agile helps make transformation contagious throughout an organization.

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by:

• City of Upper Arlington.

To schedule a guest appearance, or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:

Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

katie@chamberpartnership.org

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

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