It’s never easy to say goodbye to a great employee, especially when that person has been a cornerstone of your team, culture, and success. But, as we all know, talented people often come with a hunger to grow, expand, and explore new horizons. That’s exactly what happened with Tess—a stellar team member who recently left us to embark on an exciting new chapter in her career while living in the mountains.
Today, we want to celebrate Tess and the impact she made on our team, our community, and her clients. We also want to celebrate the incredible work she will be doing out in Colorado. Here’s to her journey, which inspires us all to aim higher, dream bigger, and work harder.
Remembering Her Journey with Us
Tess joined us in the Spring of 2021 as a personal trainer. From day one, she brought a joy that was contagious to be around. However being a personal trainer is not always the most stable of jobs. When Tess welcomed a child into this world she made the hard decision to take a job elsewhere that would provide more stability for her family. After that brief stint Tess and I realized how important she was to Summit and vice versa. So we came up with a plan to bring Tess back on at Summit with a more permanent role.
With this new role, she took on challenges with grit, tackled projects with innovation, and always brought a fresh perspective that inspired everyone around her. Her passion is within personal training and nutrition. However, she was capable and willing to take on new tasks at summit. Taking on these new tasks to stick around to help our our community since it meant so much to her (as she does to us). From social media coordination to sales, to making promotional items, she took it all on and was a quick learner. All while still working with her previous clients. Her enthusiasm was contagious, her work ethic was top-notch, and her dedication never went unnoticed.
Whether it was a group run, brainstorming session, or covering a class, Tess was always there—encouraging others, lending a hand, and pushing boundaries. Her efforts helped shape our team’s vision, strengthen our client relationships, and improve our internal processes. It’s no exaggeration to say that she left an indelible mark on our team.
A Legacy of Growth and Leadership
One of the most rewarding things about working with Tess was watching her growth. Her growth both as a professional and a woman and a mother. She came in ready to learn, and in turn, she taught us so much. She raised the bar by being welcoming coming to work with a smile and setting an example for everyone.
Tess took the time to share her skills and expertise with the entire team and wasn’t afraid to get in the mix with all the guys. She fostered a collaborative environment that encouraged everyone to bring their best selves to work every day. She demonstrated that leadership isn’t just a title; it’s about lifting others and helping the team succeed.
For me, it was awesome to have someone around who, in a way, was a sisterly figure. It was great sharing an office with Tess because we were able to take small breaks in the day to be sarcastic and joke around.
Moving On to Make a Bigger Impact
We will greatly miss Tess, but we are proud of where she is headed. She is off to live in beautiful Colorado (foot hills of the Rocky Mountains) while going back to school to get her degree in Occupational Therapy. Tess is passionate about learning and, specifically, learning about improving human life. She will be doing exactly what she is passionate about: making a difference on a larger scale. All were doing it in a place where she belongs, in the Mountains!
We couldn’t be more excited to see how Tess will continue to thrive. It’s always a bittersweet moment when a team member moves on, but seeing them soar in a role that truly suits (and location) them is the ultimate reward.
How We Move Forward
At the end of the day, this is exactly what great teams are about. It’s about nurturing talent, celebrating growth, and championing each other’s success, even if it means saying goodbye. Tess reminded us all that when we invest in our people, we’re investing in something much bigger than our immediate goals.
So here’s to Tess and every talented person who has ever been part of our journey. Their stories remind us that the work we do together is meaningful, impactful, and worth every moment. We can’t wait to see all the incredible things Tess will accomplish, and we’re so grateful to have been a part of her journey.
We will see you in the Mountains Tess!
Our doors will always be open to Tess, and we’ll be cheering them on from afar.
To Tess—thank you, and here’s to a future that’s as bright as you’ve always dreamed. We’re grateful for the time you shared with us and can’t wait to see how many more life’s you will positively affect in the mountains.