Many businesses view community involvement as something they do after they’ve become successful.
For Kathleen Sears, it’s the very reason her business continues to grow.
As the owner of two Timber Pizza Co. restaurants in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina, Kathleen has built her organization around a simple philosophy: when you invest in people, everyone wins. It’s an approach that has helped create loyal customers, engaged employees, and a brand that’s become deeply connected to its community.
From Geology to Teaching to Entrepreneurship
Kathleen’s path into business wasn’t traditional.
She studied geology in college and initially pursued environmental consulting. While she loved the science, she realized something was missing: meaningful human connection.
That realization led her to Washington, D.C., where she served with AmeriCorps before becoming a teacher and community outreach coordinator. Working in public schools allowed her to experience firsthand the power of relationships and the importance of investing in families, educators, and neighborhoods.
Eventually, burnout from teaching opened the door to an unexpected opportunity with Timber Pizza Co. What began as helping friends evolved into corporate training, opening multiple locations, and eventually becoming a business owner.
Throughout that journey, one thing never changed: her desire to build community wherever she worked.
Community as a Growth Strategy
Many companies separate marketing from community service.
Kathleen intentionally combines them.
Over the past year, her Raleigh restaurant alone has donated more than 300 pizzas to schools, nonprofits, teacher appreciation events, volunteer organizations, student celebrations, and community fundraisers.
These aren’t random acts of generosity.
They’re intentional investments that build authentic relationships.
Instead of relying solely on traditional advertising, Kathleen focuses on becoming an active participant in the neighborhoods her restaurants serve. Local organizations know they can count on Timber Pizza Co., and that trust naturally translates into stronger brand recognition and customer loyalty.
Why Giving Back Creates Loyal Customers
One of Kathleen’s favorite examples involves local schools.
After hosting pizza-making classes, donating pizzas, and supporting school fundraisers, families began visiting the restaurant specifically because of those community interactions.
Parents would tell her they came because their children remembered meeting her at school.
Silent auction winners became first-time customers.
Volunteers who were served meals during community events became regular guests.
Kathleen admits it’s difficult to measure every dollar generated from these efforts, but she doesn’t need complex analytics to recognize the ripple effect. Strong guest experiences combined with meaningful community engagement create lasting relationships that traditional marketing often cannot replicate.
Creating a Team That Believes in the Mission
Kathleen’s philosophy doesn’t stop with customers.
She believes employees perform their best when they understand they’re contributing to something larger than a paycheck.
Whenever possible, she invites team members to participate in community events—delivering pizzas to schools, helping with classroom demonstrations, or serving at nonprofit functions.
Employees see the direct impact of their work, and many describe these experiences as some of the most fulfilling moments of their jobs.
Rather than simply making pizzas, they’re helping build stronger communities.
That sense of purpose has contributed to exceptional employee retention, something that’s especially rare in the restaurant industry. Kathleen notes that very few employees leave for other opportunities; most departures occur because of major life transitions such as graduating college or relocating.
Leadership Through Trust
Another hallmark of Kathleen’s leadership style is trust.
Instead of micromanaging, she encourages employees to make mistakes, reflect on what happened, and develop their own solutions.
This coaching approach creates confident team members who continue growing professionally.
Recently, Kathleen has also learned to trust her leadership team more as the business expands.
Managing two locations requires letting go of the need to personally solve every challenge. By empowering others, she’s created a stronger organization capable of growing without depending on one person.
A Business Built on Purpose
Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of Kathleen’s story is that none of her community efforts feel transactional.
She genuinely enjoys helping people.
Whether she’s teaching children how pizza is made, supporting volunteers with donated meals, mentoring employees, or simply making families feel welcome, every interaction reflects the same mission: create meaningful connections.
Her story serves as a reminder that business growth and generosity are not competing priorities. In fact, when done authentically, they become powerful partners.
For franchise owners and entrepreneurs alike, Kathleen Sears demonstrates that investing in your community isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s one of the smartest long-term business strategies you can make.