From Coffee to Community: How Chicago French Press Is Brewing Impact & Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

From Coffee to Community: How Chicago French Press Is Brewing Impact & Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

Author: Michelle Thames October 9, 2025 Duration: 17:55
In this inspiring episode, host Michelle Thames sits down with Kris Christian, founder of Chicago French Press — a woman-owned coffee brand that’s revolutionizing the way we sip, connect, and give back. Kris shares how she went from Wall Street to launching a coffee company that fuels communities, supports scholarships, and empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Ever feel like the rules of social media are written in a language you don't quite speak? Social Media Decoded translates the noise into a clear plan. Michelle Thames, a marketing expert who understands the grind of building something from scratch, hosts these conversations. She moves past theory to focus on the practical moves that actually change things-how a piece of content can attract a dream client, or how to tweak a profile so it starts working for you. Each episode feels like a focused workshop, whether she's dissecting a platform's algorithm, walking through a content marketing funnel, or sharing a story from an entrepreneur who turned followers into a sustainable business. This isn't about viral moments; it's about building a visible and viable operation online. You'll find a direct, no-fluff approach here, designed for anyone ready to move from being just a user of these platforms to becoming a strategic builder on them. For actionable steps on monetization, audience growth, and crafting a brand that resonates, this podcast serves as an essential guide.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Social Media Decoded
Podcast Episodes
Storytelling That Sells — How to Turn Your Real Life Into Revenue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:48
In this episode, Michelle breaks down how to use storytelling to build a powerful personal brand, create deeper audience connection, and turn your real-life experiences into revenue. You’ll learn the three types of stori…
The Visibility Audit: 5 Signs Your Brand Is Ready for a Big 2026 Leap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:39
In today’s special Black Friday episode, Michelle breaks down the five signs your brand is ready for a major visibility breakthrough in 2026. If you're feeling the pull toward your next level — this is the episode that c…
How I Pick My Clients Now (So I Don’t End Up In Situations Again) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:10
In this episode, Michelle breaks down the boundaries, red flags, and standards she uses to choose aligned clients — so she never ends up in chaotic, draining, or low-alignment situations again. If you’re raising your sta…
5 Signs You’re Ready to Shift From Creator → CEO in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:00
In this episode, Michelle shares the five undeniable signs that you're being called out of creator mode and into your CEO identity for 2026. If you’ve been feeling a shift in your purpose, passion, or leadership, this ep…
The One Thing Every Creator Needs Before Selling Anything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:36
Most creators think they have a sales problem, but what they really have is a clarity problem. In this episode, I break down the one thing every creator must have before selling anything — and why skipping this step keep…
What Businesses Get Wrong About Building Community in 2026 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:46
Most brands think they’re building community, but in 2026 the rules have changed. In this episode, Michelle breaks down what companies get wrong about community, the new relationship-based business model, and the shifts…
The Visibility Shift That Changed Everything For Me [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:44
In this episode, Michelle shares the turning-point visibility shift that transformed her business, brand, and confidence. You’ll hear the true story behind how she stopped performing, started leading, and built an aligne…