Grit, Grace, and Getting Real with Mark Erickson

How Something Wicked Coffee Inspired Me to Rethink ‘Shop Local’

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2536037/open_sms] In this solo episode of Beyond the Pitch: A Peak Connections Podcast, Tim Roper sits down — no guest, no interview — just an honest conversation straight from the heart about what it really means to support small businesses. Earlier in the day, Tim was interviewed by KUTV about a Clearfield favorite, Something Wicked Coffee, and their decision to offer free “Snap Breakfasts” for families who may lose SNAP benefits during the government shutdown. No proof. No questions. Just care. That one act of kindness inspired this entire episode. Tim reflects on how “Shop Local” has become more of a slogan than a movement — and how we can all do better to serve the people behind the counter, not just buy from them. He outlines a five-part plan for reviving Main Street USA by: 1. Rethinking the message — from “shop local” to “serve local.” 2. Removing the friction — making it easier for communities to help. 3. Reinvesting local — keeping our dollars where they matter most. 4. Rebuilding capacity — giving small business owners the time and tools to thrive. 5. Reigniting service — making kindness the standard, not the exception. Because as Tim says, “If a local coffee shop can decide that no one should start the day hungry, what can the rest of us do?” Want to share your story or be a guest on Beyond the Pitch? Click here to request to be on the podcast. [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/objJBLIF3pWCb9ovSW9p?notrack=true]

Grit, Grace, and Getting Real with Mark Erickson

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2536037/open_sms] In this episode of Beyond the Pitch: A Peak Connections Podcast, Tim sits down with Mark Erickson, founder of The Leadership Mark [https://theleadershipmark.com/about/], to talk about what leadership really looks like when you strip away the spotlight. From his early career as an engineer to becoming a people-focused leader and entrepreneur, Mark shares what it means to step out before you feel ready, lead as a team of one, and keep showing up with courage, humility, and heart. Together, Tim and Mark explore vulnerability in leadership, building a personal “board of directors,” and learning to lead without pretending to be perfect. It’s an honest look at growth, grit, and what it takes to keep leading even when no one’s watching. If you would like to be a guest on Beyond the Pitch, submit your request here: Request to Be on the Podcast [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/objJBLIF3pWCb9ovSW9p?notrack=true&fbclid=IwY2xjawNqHb9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF3cjdWZXpjMnJuVzRkWXI3AR6ypxfqVarCMJmAUKp9z2upIioTQTSXIuQaGKwWgFfPlyWzzmBjJ2XCRXbrYw_aem_ga2sceyNCjChCzYsl0IJIg] Would you like me to create a short social media post to promote

From Observing Others to Beyond the Pitch

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2536037/open_sms] In this heartfelt episode of Beyond the Pitch, Tim sits down with one of his closest friends and biggest influences, Kelly Silvester, the man who taught him that connection is not about what you can get from someone, it is about who you can be for someone else. Before Beyond the Pitch ever existed, Tim was Kelly’s right-hand man on the Observing Others podcast, learning what it meant to truly listen and lead with empathy. Now, Kelly serves as the Davis County Recorder, bringing that same heart for people into public service and community leadership. Together, they reflect on friendship, authenticity, and why so many of us get stuck in the roundabout of surface-level networking. They talk about what it really means to build relationships that last, how to create meaningful follow up, and why true growth begins when we slow down, listen, and care. This conversation is a reminder that real success starts with real relationships and that connection is the bridge between observing others and living Beyond the Pitch. If you would like to be on the program click here.  [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/objJBLIF3pWCb9ovSW9p]

From Golf Cart to Growth: Marketing that Actually Works with Jacob McBride of CR8 Marketing

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2536037/open_sms] In this episode of Beyond the Pitch, host Tim Roper sits down with creative strategist Jacob McBride of CR8 Marketing to uncover what it really takes to grow a small business through smart, authentic marketing. At just 15 years old, Jacob launched his first detailing business out of a blue golf cart. Within a few short years, he scaled it into a six-figure operation and then turned that experience into CR8 Marketing, helping small businesses stand out and thrive in a noisy digital world. Together, Tim and Jacob dive into how to build a marketing funnel that actually works starting with your bucket of loyal clients. Why small personal touches often outperform flashy campaigns and the truth about Google Ads vs Meta Ads and what is really worth your budget. How AI is reshaping marketing and how to use it without losing your human voice  If you have ever felt overwhelmed trying to handle marketing while running your business, this episode gives you a clear roadmap and a few simple actionable steps to make it all work. Connect with CR8 Marketing Website: https://cr8marketing.co/ [https://cr8marketing.co/] Instagram: @cr8_media Call or Text: 801 543 9824 Want to be a guest or featured business on Beyond the Pitch Email tim@peakconnectionsgroup.com or complete the short form here [ https://link.apisystem.tech/widget/form/objJBLIF3pWCb9ovSW9p]

The Truth That Sparked Peak Connections

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2536037/open_sms] Every movement starts with a story — and this one starts with mine. From building sales teams at Hewlett Packard and Samsung, to years at the Davis Chamber of Commerce, to serving on the Clearfield City Council, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the broken side of how businesses connect. In this solo episode of Beyond the Pitch, I open up about the turning points that showed me why networking isn’t enough, how business owners are left without real support, and why I built Peak Connections Group to change that. This isn’t another networking group. It’s consulting made accessible. It’s service shoulder to shoulder. And it’s a movement to go beyond the pitch and build communities that actually last.