Manit_Sethi
Manit Sethi
Business Collaboration
Southeastern Roastery
Quick Facts
Southeastern Roastery creates a memorable coffee experience by blending artistry with sustainability.
Committed to quality and transparency, the company sources the finest coffees while supporting farmers and local communities.
Each cup reflects a dedication to environmental responsibility and specialty coffee appreciation. Southeastern Roastery fosters meaningful connections between coffee lovers and growers.
Their mission promotes sustainable practices and elevates coffee culture through ethical sourcing, community support, and a passion for exceptional, responsibly produced coffee.
Southeastern Roastery
About the Nonprofit
Southeastern Roastery is a specialty coffee company committed to sourcing, roasting, and serving high-quality, sustainable coffee. With a focus on ethically sourced beans, the company carefully roasts each batch to highlight the unique flavors of every origin.
Southeastern Roastery brings the rich and diverse coffee culture of the Southeastern United States to consumers while fostering a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and sustainability.
Their mission is to create an exceptional coffee experience that supports ethical practices, uplifts communities, and celebrates the vibrant, meaningful connections formed over a great cup of coffee.
Southeastern Roastery
Monetization Strategies
Southeastern Roastery generates revenue through diverse coffee offerings and specialized roasting services. Alongside selling a variety of coffees, the company provides Toll-Roasting, where clients supply green beans and receive expertly roasted coffee tailored to their specifications.
Southeastern Roastery handles every step, from roasting to packaging, ensuring consistency and quality. They also offer White Label Roasting, producing premium coffee for other brands to sell under their own labels.
This model allows businesses to offer exceptional coffee without investing in roasting infrastructure. These services reflect Southeastern Roastery’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and supporting coffee entrepreneurs.
Southeastern Roastery
AI Opportunities
Southeastern Roastery embraces artificial intelligence as a tool to enhance efficiency while preserving the craftsmanship and community values central to its mission. AI can refine roast precision, personalize customer experiences, and streamline supply chains without compromising quality or sustainability.
From recommending blends based on taste profiles to helping Master Roaster Candy Schibli identify top-tier beans, AI offers powerful support. It can also optimize roasting with real-time feedback and enrich storytelling that deepens brand connection.
Southeastern Roastery remains committed to ethical AI use, ensuring technology respects privacy and strengthens the bond between coffee, people, and purpose.
My Emerging Technology Presentation
During the AI & Emerging Technology Internship, I worked with Dr. James Giordano, Chief of Georgetown University’s Neuroethics Program, to learn about the emergence of artificial intelligence and the global implications.
Throughout this week, I participated in in-depth discussions and advanced lectures by industry-leading professionals about cutting-edge developments and applications of artificial intelligence. I collaborated with my team to identify practical AI-driven solutions for critical issues faced by underserved communities.
At the conclusion of the week, we presented our findings to a panel of judges, earning a microgrant to support the implementation of our proposal.
My Emerging Technology Proposal
Our research addressed critical questions and implications related to artificial intelligence and its practical applications. Throughout the program, we worked closely with Southeastern Roastery to gain a clear understanding of their objectives. These collaborative meetings offered valuable insights into key areas in need of optimization.
The most pressing issue facing Southeastern Roastery is that its social media is not reaching enough customers. This is causing the business to not reach as many customers as possible. This challenge poses both operational and strategic risks that hinder overall efficiency and growth.
To tackle this issue, we developed a comprehensive AI adoption proposal, including a detailed SWOT analysis of Southeastern Roastery’s current landscape. Our team proposed the use of AI tools to find their target audience, and then create and schedule the release of posts to various social media siteswhich can attract a larger audience and show how posts are performing.
Internship Highlights
During my internship, I participated in hands-on AI labs that were structured to replicate real-world scenarios, allowing us to apply advanced AI tools and techniques to solve complex problems. I gained experience developing AI-driven solutions that allowed me to translate theoretical knowledge into practical outcomes.
Through this immersive environment, I began to develop technical proficiency and problem-solving capabilities. Each lab session emphasized collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability in a fast-paced setting. This experience not only deepened my understanding of artificial intelligence and reinforced my commitment to pursue this career path.
I had the opportunity to explore industries that are pioneering the use of AI, such as finance, marketing, healthcare, and cybersecurity. I gained valuable insight into how AI is revolutionizing data analysis, customization and personalization, medical outcomes, and security. These experiences allowed me to see how AI is not only enhancing existing processes, but also creating new possibilities in various fields.
I was also able to hear directly from companies at the cutting edge of innovation in these industries, learning how they use AI to tackle real-world challenges. Whether exploring the future of fintech or discovering breakthroughs in medical AI, these experiences provided a clearer understanding of the diverse career paths available. They also gave me a deeper appreciation of how emerging technologies are reshaping industries globally and how I can contribute to these exciting developments in my future career.
During my internship, I gained valuable insight into the world of AI consultation through lectures and discussions with Dr. Dan Spar of Deloitte. His expertise provided a comprehensive understanding of how artificial intelligence can be applied across industries to solve complex business challenges.
Dr. Spar walked us through the consulting process, from identifying client needs to designing AI-driven solutions that improve efficiency, decision-making, and long-term strategy. We explored real-world case studies where AI was implemented in fields such as operations, marketing, and cybersecurity, allowing us to see the direct impact of consultation on organizational success.
Through these sessions, I not only deepened my knowledge of AI’s practical applications but also learned how consultants bridge the gap between technical capabilities and client goals. This experience strengthened my ability to think critically about technology in a professional context and sparked my interest in pursuing AI-driven problem-solving in future endeavors.
During my internship, I had the opportunity to apply my training in AI consulting by working directly with small business partners in Washington, D.C. Meeting with Southeastern Roastery allowed me to gain a clear understanding of their goals, challenges, and long-term vision, giving me the chance to explore how artificial intelligence could provide meaningful solutions.
Working alongside their leadership, I developed tailored recommendations on how AI tools could streamline operations, improve decision-making, and enhance customer engagement. This included analyzing areas where automation could reduce inefficiencies, identifying opportunities for predictive analytics, and suggesting ways to incorporate AI-driven marketing strategies.
Through this hands-on consulting experience, I not only strengthened my ability to assess client needs and translate them into actionable strategies but also learned the importance of aligning AI solutions with each business’s unique context. By applying these skills, I was able to deliver practical recommendations that could support Southeastern Roastery in reaching its goals and preparing for long-term success in an increasingly data-driven economy.