Attending high school in Roseville, Minnesota, Summer Balfanz is an honor student who had the opportunity to take part in a Capitals of Scandinavia overseas tour and visit the University of Oslo. She is active with Minnesotans for a Smoke-Free Generation as a student coalition member. Summer Balfanz supports youth outreach in her community, with a focus on avoiding traditional and flavored tobacco, as well as vaping products.
She has also undertaken anti-smoking lobbying at the state legislative level. In addition, Ms. Balfanz and the Ramsey County Student Action Team were honored in May 2025 as the Group Youth Advocates of the Year by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids at the 2025 Youth Advocates of the Year Awards in Washington D.C.
Summer Balfanz’s interests span marketing, media, public speaking, and writing that fulfills a mission of positively influencing society, from businesses to the political system. She is passionate about efforts that bridge generations and contribute to small town economies and independent local farming.
In 2023, Ms. Balfanz earned the Honor Roll Speech Team Award as “Best First-Year Teammate.” She took first place in the Star Tribune Eastview Lightning Classic Speech Meet, and is active with the National Speech and Debate Association. An art enthusiast, Summer Balfanz counts Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, and Jean Michel Basquiat among her favorite painters.
A volunteer with the Ramsey County Library in Roseville, she competed in the 2025 Minnesota State Speech Tournament.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I like to start my mornings with some quiet time and a bowl of oatmeal. Maybe read a book or an article. Then I head into my day with some mental energy to handle the unexpected. A good brisk walk outside during the afternoon sets me up for all the after-supper to-do list items. Wrap it up with some couch time and try be off-screen for at least an hour before bed.
How do you bring ideas to life?
When in doubt, write it out. I enjoy writing for its own sake, but it also gives my mind room to wander.
What’s one trend that excites you?
People reconnecting with traditional crafts and making things by hand. I like that more people are looking for nonelectronic outlets for their creative sides. I like that we are keeping some of those traditions from being lost.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Stay on a schedule. And if the schedule gets upended for a few days, I’m totally okay with a down day or two. Better to recharge the battery than run on empty.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It’s okay to lose your confidence now and then. You are more resilient than you think. If you surround yourself with people that lift you up, you’ll be amazed at all that you can experience and accomplish.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Coffee is over-rated.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Be a part of something you believe in. Follow your passion, and you will probably find other people that share that same passion. Win-win.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Make a list on a Post-it note. I might not get to all of it, but it helps me pick the priorities. And when the day is done, I can just put that Post-it in recycling and start fresh tomorrow.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Have the courage to try something new and then network. I started with joining a committee. That committee led to meeting new people, which opened doors to new opportunities. One small step of trying something new has expanded my network and laid the foundation for future success.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I set a lofty goal one year and didn’t make it. I had to choose to lower my goal, change it, or go in a different direction. In the end, I kept that goal and tried again. Wasn’t any easier to achieve, but when I made it happen on the second try, the victory was that much sweeter. And I realized the effort was just as important as meeting the goal. It really had added benefits in other areas of my life. It gave me confidence to try other lofty goals.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Keeping my calendar and alerts up-to-date really helps keep me on track. Honestly, I’ve started using alarms lately to help me break off of a task more efficiently. I set a time limit to prevent me from over-staying a meeting or working too long on one thing.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I can’t say I spent an actual $100, but getting my hands on an acoustic guitar has been awesome. I played some other instruments in my younger years. Learning the chords and building my skills on a new instrument has been a really great experience for me. Very fulfilling.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I can’t seem to pick a favorite right now. Let’s just say I like finding discarded treasures in the “free” bin at my local library. I can give them a good home for a while and then pass them on.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed the Bruce Springsteen movie. I liked the focus on a lesser-known album and the deeper dive into Bruce’s writing process. Not a big epic of his whole career, but a nice film to watch with my dear old dad.
Key learnings
- Have the courage to try something new.
- Embrace your own comfort and style.
- Don’t be afraid to set lofty goals.
- Give oatmeal a chance…it may change your life.