Podcast Summary: Social Media Decoded with Michelle Thames

Episode: October 9, 2025 — “Elevating Coffee, Community & Black Women in Business with Chris Christian of Chicago French Press”

Episode Overview

This episode features Michelle Thames in conversation with Chris Christian, founder of Chicago French Press—an acclaimed, woman-owned coffee brand. Their discussion centers on entrepreneurship, building community impact through business, and the unique challenges and victories of Black women founders in the beverage industry. The episode also highlights Chicago French Press as the official coffee sponsor of the upcoming “Elevate and Empower Live” event, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to fueling success and connection among women entrepreneurs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chris Christian’s Entrepreneurial Journey

[02:00 – 08:52]

• Early Life & Values:

  • Chris shares her Memphis roots, family legacy of HBCU graduates, and the deep connection to Black excellence, community uplift, and generational wealth.
  • Quote:

    “Black excellence and being, you know, focusing on community and building black community and black generational wealth has always been instilled in me. It's in my DNA.”
    — Chris Christian [02:17]

• Entrepreneurial Foundation:

  • Inspired since youth by seeing Black professionals and entrepreneurs in her family and community.
  • Started her first business at Howard University (Couture by Kristen, an online jewelry store).
  • Self-taught creative skills (Photoshop, video production) leading to the founding of Fame Production Group, a multicultural marketing agency, in 2011.

• Pivot to Coffee & Community:

  • Realized her love for coffee and saw a problem: most coffees needed unhealthy additives to taste good.
  • Innovated flavored, freshly roasted coffee beans using real ingredients (nuts, coconut, pecans, cocoa).
  • Launched nine coffee flavors in 2017, each linked to a nonprofit, forming the “Grinding for a Cause” initiative—connecting commerce with community impact.

• Example of Impact:

  • Student-originated drinks (like “Tres Leches Latte” at Roosevelt Collection) benefit youth entrepreneurship through partnerships with organizations like The Gray Matter Experience.

• Business Growth:

  • From pop-ups to permanent locations at Roosevelt Collection, UIC, and UChicago; expansion to McCormick Place and into the gift shops at Midway and O’Hare airports.
  • Quote:

    “We've been able to really grow over the last five years... All around the airports. So that's really exciting. But it's different when you know that that hard work is connected to your community and fueling an impact.”
    — Chris Christian [08:27]

2. Overcoming Challenges as a Black Woman Founder

[10:19 – 13:46]

• Mindset Toward Challenges:

  • Chris frames herself as a “solution seeker,” not defined or deterred by obstacles.

  • Candid about systemic hurdles: access to capital, limited resources, staffing challenges.

  • Emphasizes faith and resourcefulness over focusing on barriers.

  • Quote:

    “I don't think that I've ever really—I won't say acknowledged the challenges, but I haven't held onto them because there's so many that you go through... If I held onto them and really focused in on them, I wouldn't get anywhere.”
    — Chris Christian [10:56]

  • Key Strategies:

    • Leverages existing resources, networks, and spaces (taking over former Starbucks and David’s Tea locations).
    • Iterative growth—“use what you have to get what you want.”
    • Community-driven expansion and support throughout her journey.

3. The Power of Coffee, Community, and Event Partnerships

[13:46 – 16:43]

• Chicago French Press as Event Sponsor:

  • Chosen as the coffee sponsor for “Elevate and Empower Live,” Michelle’s signature event for women entrepreneurs.

  • Importance of supporting and fueling thriving women’s communities.

  • Quote:

    “Your community is made of thriving women that are just like us. So I want them to be able to experience Chicago French Press and add value to what you're building.”
    — Chris Christian [14:32]

• Coffee as a Catalyst for Connection:

  • Testimonies of customers who’ve fueled creative and business breakthroughs at Chicago French Press locations.
  • Quote:

    “I drank Chicago French Press when I wrote my book, and it was the thing I was looking forward to, to write my next chapter...”
    — Chris Christian [14:56]

4. Imbuing Coffee with Meaning at Events

[16:00 – 16:44]

• Intention Behind Every Cup:

  • Each coffee flavor offers a different vibe:

    • “Black Tux” (unflavored Ethiopian bean, by women farmers): boss, CEO, bold.
    • “Maple Pecan”: warmth, joy, southern hospitality.

  • Quote:

    “If they had the black tux... that's gonna give you the boss light feel... If you had the maple pecan, now that's going to give you a feeling of warmth and joy and love... You just have to come taste, sip and see.”
    — Chris Christian [16:03]

5. How to Support and Connect with Chicago French Press

[17:28 – 17:59]

• Ways to Connect:
  • Website: chicagofrenchpress.com
  • Instagram & All Social: @ChicagoFrenchPress
  • Chris’s personal: @chrisdchristian and chrisdchristian.com
  • Available at several Chicago locations and all HMS Host airport gift shops.
  • Quote:

    “We're going to get back in TikTok and Instagram and all of that. But yeah, right now you can come and buy coffee at the location...and all the bags are at the airport in the HMS Host gift shops.”
    — Chris Christian [17:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Why Focusing on Challenges Won't Help:

  “There's nothing that comes my way that I can't do. So I'm not worried about it... I'm not looking for the challenges because they're there.”
  — Chris Christian [11:34]

• On Business Expansion & Resourcefulness:

  “All the locations that we have... they were old Starbucks, old David's Tea... I was, at one point, like, 'I don't want their stuff, I want new stuff.' No, you fix what this is, and use what you have until you generate more to buy the new stuff.”
  — Chris Christian [12:40]

• On the Social Impact of Coffee:

  “To be able to kind of do the same thing with young people in the community, taking their ideas, taking our creativity and monetizing that to give back. That's what Grinding for a Cause is about.”
  — Chris Christian [07:15]

• On Community Events & Connections:

  “I want to be able to connect us to spaces and places that we can fuel the energy.”
  — Chris Christian [14:38]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Chris Christian’s backstory & entrepreneurial roots: [02:00 – 08:52]
• Chicago French Press’s social impact mission: [06:30 – 08:52]
• Business expansion and key milestones: [08:30 – 09:20]
• Discussion on challenges for Black women founders: [10:19 – 13:46]
• Chicago French Press sponsoring Elevate and Empower Live: [13:46 – 16:00]
• Coffee flavors as vibe-setters at events: [16:00 – 16:44]
• Where to find & support Chicago French Press: [17:28 – 17:59]

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

This episode exemplifies the intersection of business acumen, community uplift, and creative entrepreneurship. Chris Christian’s story reflects the persistence, ingenuity, and service-mindedness driving successful Black woman-owned businesses. By blending flavorful innovation with purposeful social impact, she inspires fellow founders—and coffee lovers—to lead with both heart and hustle.

To connect, support, and sip for a cause, visit Chicago French Press or follow @chicagofrenchpress for updates.