About the Guest:

Ty Stewart is the owner of Sweet Caroline's Coffee Company, based in Johnson City, Tennessee. With a background in shooting commercials and social media, Ty transitioned to the coffee industry, inspired by his passion for specialty coffee developed during his college years. His coffee company is named after his daughter, Caroline, and it focuses on delivering high-quality, specialty coffee sourced from top-tier producers like Onyx Coffee Labs.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Johnson City Living podcast, host Colin Johnson sits down with Ty Stewart, the coffee enthusiast and owner of Sweet Caroline's Coffee Company. They discuss Ty's journey from Texas to Tennessee, his unexpected dive into the specialty coffee industry, and the story behind the name "Sweet Caroline's Coffee Company." Listeners will enjoy Ty's insights into the art of coffee making, his passion for quality ingredients, and his experiences as a young entrepreneur.

Throughout the conversation, Ty talks about his love for the mountains of Tennessee, his previous career in video production, and how a joke by his brother-in-law inspired the name of his coffee business. SEO keywords such as "specialty coffee," "Johnson City," and "entrepreneurship" are highlighted as Ty delves into the careful process of creating the perfect cup of coffee. He also shares his experiences working with Onyx Coffee Labs and his plans for the future of his coffee company.

The episode also touches on Ty's personal life, including his enjoyment of NASCAR races and life in Johnson City with his family. He discusses the importance of community and customer interaction, different coffee preparation methods, and the challenges and rewards of running a coffee business from a custom-built trailer.

Key Takeaways:

• From Texas to Tennessee: Ty Stewart shares his journey from growing up in Texas to moving to Johnson City and becoming a coffee entrepreneur.
• Sweet Caroline's Coffee Company: The origin story behind the name and Ty’s dedication to quality and specialty coffee.
• Specialty Coffee Insights: Ty educates listeners about different coffee types, preparation methods, and the importance of high-quality ingredients.
• Challenges of a Mobile Coffee Business: Insights into the logistics, customer engagement, and challenges of operating from a custom-built coffee trailer.
• Personal Passions: Ty’s love for NASCAR and his appreciation for the community and natural beauty of Johnson City.

Notable Quotes:

1. "Caroline is actually my one-year-old. She runs all over the house."
2. "They showed me that specifically milk makes a massive difference in the coffee you're drinking."
3. "I have my regular, which is a monarch, kind of a more traditional blend, and then I have one called geometry from Onyx."
4. "I usually tell people she's in a lot of debt and not me."
5. "Getting that specialty coffee in your hand is just a good goal of mine."

Resources:

• Sweet Caroline's Coffee Co. Instagram
• Sweet Caroline's Coffee Co. Facebook
• Breaker Barber Company

Be sure to tune in to this insightful episode to learn more about the fascinating world of specialty coffee, the journey of an entrepreneurial spirit, and the vibrant community life in Johnson City. Stay connected for more inspiring stories and practical insights from the Johnson City Living podcast.

About the Guest:

Tosha Yoder is the Event Coordinator at Visit Johnson City, where she plays a pivotal role in orchestrating major events such as the Meet the Mountains festival. With a background in psychology and extensive experience in customer service, she has successfully transitioned into event management. Her attention to detail, organizational skills, and passion for outdoor activities and family-oriented events make her a vital asset to the Johnson City community.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Johnson City Living Podcast, host Colin Johnson sits down with Tosha Yoder, Event Coordinator at Visit Johnson City. The conversation delves into the preparations for the upcoming Meet the Mountains festival, scheduled for August 9th and 10th at Winged Deer Park. Tosha shares behind-the-scenes insights into event planning and highlights the family-friendly and outdoor-focused activities that attendees can look forward to.

Are you ready to discover the vibrant community events happening in Johnson City? Join Colin Johnson as he chats with Tosha Yoder about the much-anticipated Meet the Mountains festival. This episode is filled with details about the festival's offerings, from rock climbing and zip-lining to a unique dog dock diving competition. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike, this festival promises a memorable experience.

Not only does Tosha provide a comprehensive overview of Meet the Mountains, but she also touches on her life in Johnson City, her career path, and the local education system. The discussion extends to the broader contributions and collaborations of Visit Johnson City, aiming to promote regional tourism. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the dynamic intersection of community engagement and tourism development.

Key Takeaways:

• Meet the Mountains Festival: Scheduled for August 9th and 10th at Winged Deer Park, offering diverse activities like zip-lining, rock climbing, kayaking, and a Sorba bike obstacle course.
• Family-Friendly Fun: The festival caters to all ages, featuring nearly 93 vendors, educational clinics, and interactive experiences designed to engage both children and adults.
• Local School System: Tosha commends Johnson City's schools for their excellent communication and supportive environment, making it a great place for families to thrive.
• Regional Collaborations: Emphasis on the importance of regional cooperation with entities like Northeast Tennessee Tourism association to bolster tourism and community spirit.
• Personal Insights: Tosha shares her journey from a background in psychology to becoming an event coordinator and reflects on the joys of living in Johnson City.

Notable Quotes:

1. “We thank you for just the Visit Johnson City organization and how they're bringing people to this place that we think is your country.” - Colin Johnson
2. "It takes at least nine months to a year to fully plan out the festival." - Tosha Yoder
3. "Buffalo Mountain is one that we, at Visit Johnson City, really try to push for people to go to." - Tosha Yoder
4. "Just knowing that I get to help those kids experience something worthwhile, it really fires me up." - Tosha Yoder
5. "We have a great lineup of education folks and a great lineup of music which we'll be announcing very soon." - Tosha Yoder

Resources:

• Visit Johnson City:
  • Website: Visit Johnson City TN
  • Email: Yoder@visitjohnsoncitytn.com
• Meet the Mountains Festival:
  • Website: MTM Fest
• Johnson City Brewing Company

Ready to dive deeper into what makes Johnson City a special place to live and visit? Listen to the full episode for more exciting details about the Meet the Mountains festival and stay tuned for future episodes filled with community insights and local events.

About the Guests:

Greg and Shirley Mueller are the owners of Olive Oil Divine, a unique specialty store located in Johnson City, Tennessee. With a background in IT and family business, Greg has combined his technical expertise with a passion for high-quality, health-centric products. Shirley, with her experience in construction and business operations, complements Greg by managing customer relations and daily operations. Together, they have grown their business into a local staple, offering a variety of high-quality olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and other gourmet products sourced from around the world.

Episode Summary:

In this engaging episode of "Johnson City Living," host Colin Johnson speaks with Greg and Shirley Mueller, the dynamic duo behind Olive Oil Divine, a specialty store offering high-quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars in Johnson City, Tennessee. Colin delves deep into their personal backgrounds, their journey into the olive oil business, and the spiritual motivations that drive their enterprise.

Greg and Shirley share how their passion for health benefits and spiritual significance of olive oil inspired them to open Olive Oil Divine. Their store offers over 70 different flavors of olive oil and balsamic vinegar sourced globally. They discuss the health benefits, proper storage, and usage tips for olive oil, emphasizing their commitment to product quality and customer education. Unique in its dedication to community and spirituality, Olive Oil Divine even features a prayer room where customers can meditate and pray. The Muellers also highlight their partnerships with local and national businesses and their future expansion plans, providing valuable insights into running a successful specialty store.

Key Takeaways:

• Starting a Unique Business: How Greg and Shirley Mueller transitioned from their previous careers to open Olive Oil Divine by following a spiritual calling.
• Health Benefits of Olive Oil: Detailed explanation of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of high-quality olive oil and how to use it in cooking.
• Importance of Quality and Integrity: The Muellers' commitment to lab-certifying their products and offering only the best to their customers.
• Community and Spiritual Focus: Their unique inclusion of a prayer room in their store and the positive impact it has on both their business and customers.
• Future Aspirations: Plans for expanding their product range and presence both online and in physical stores, alongside special collaborations like tours to olive oil-producing regions.

Notable Quotes:

1. "The fact that it's in the Bible Belt and the people are just so warm and friendly. We don't have a stranger in Johnson City." - Greg Mueller
2. "Just bring it up to low heat and you'll be just fine. If you overcook it, you'll know it'll start to smell." - Greg Mueller on cooking with olive oil
3. "God moved a lot of mountains to get us in business, and so it was the least we could do for Him, for doing that for us." - Greg Mueller
4. "When you anoint someone, you're basically sharing the spirit of Jesus with them." - Greg Mueller
5. "We don't push it down anybody's throats, but if you come ask about it, we're not going to shy away from it." - Greg Mueller

Resources:

• Olive Oil Divine Website: oliveoildivine.com
• Social Media:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Truth Social
  • Public Square: Available on Public Square platform

For a deeper dive into the fascinating journey and insightful tips from Greg and Shirley Mueller, listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more inspiring content on the “Johnson City Living” podcast.