Part of the AMSG Experience Program
At AMSG, we believe that supporting our team members goes beyond the workplace. The AMSG Cares Hobby Program is one of the many ways we invest in the personal passions and well-being of our people. Offered as part of our broader Experience Program, this unique benefit provides financial support to help team members pursue hobbies that bring them joy, reduce stress, and spark creativity.
Whether it’s cycling, photography, gardening, painting, or even restoring a motorcycle—our team members have used the program to explore a wide range of interests. Since launching the program, AMSG has reimbursed over thousands of dollars in hobby-related expenses, helping team members reconnect with what they love outside of work.
We’ve seen firsthand how hobbies can improve mental health, encourage work-life balance, and create opportunities for connection beyond job titles and contracts. The Hobby Program is a small but meaningful way we show that we care—not just about what our team members do, but who they are.
The AMSG Hobby Program is designed to support our team members in pursuing their personal interests—because we know that passions outside of work help fuel creativity, reduce stress, and bring balance to life. Each year, eligible team members can receive financial support to offset the cost of a hobby or activity they love.
While the approval and reimbursement process is managed internally, the goal is simple: to encourage team members to carve out time for themselves and do more of what makes them feel happy, inspired, and fulfilled.
The program is administered by our Employee Engagement Team as part of the larger AMSG Experience Program, which focuses on enriching the team member experience both in and outside the workplace.
The aroma of freshly ground coffee and the rich, dark liquid it produces are a staple for many, but for me, it was an acquired taste. It wasn’t until 1996, at my grandmother’s funeral, that I had my first cup. Staying with her neighbor, Jim Carson, I was offered a cup he’d brewed using Eight O’Clock coffee beans and real cream. He ground the beans just before brewing, and the result was amazing. I was instantly hooked and adopted his method, thinking my standards were top-tier.
I soon learned my so-called “coffee snobbery” was only at a beginner level. Years later, a coworker told me that to truly “up your coffee game,” I needed to roast my own beans. He called the difference a “punch in the mouth.” Intrigued, and unable to afford a high-end roaster, I researched a cheaper alternative. I learned that some roasters use hot air popcorn poppers. I found one at a thrift store and was completely blown away by the flavor. He wasn’t kidding; it really was a “punch in the mouth” difference. Store-bought coffee tasted stale from then on.
As my tolerance for coffee grew, my need for a stronger brew and more frequent roasts grew with it. I found a used Behmor roaster that could handle a full pound of beans per session. I’ve been through three of them since then, and I’m still roasting.
Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about my hobby. For one, don’t roast your own coffee unless you’re prepared to haul your entire coffee rig with you on every trip. Secondly, don’t ever try to convince anyone how good it is, or you might become their dealer. I made that mistake with my neighbor and now have to double my roast amounts to keep him supplied. But despite all of that, I would do it all over again.
