What is your position in the coffee industry?

barista, home barista, coffee enthusiast

Where are you located? ( City and Country )

kapaa, hawaii

How many years have you been in the industry?

10 years

If you are a barista or shop, are you interested in a barista exchange with another coffee shop/barista?

maybe

Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.

my favorite thing to do is steam milk and make it that perfect silky substance that i love so much....i can pull great shots too, which is definitely a key ingredient in the perfect cup! then there's the latte art, which is like icing on a cake....a little love in each cup. i am a very organized and efficient person, and i feel like i help the coffee shop to run smooth.

What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?

almost anywhere in europe, love that place. also i want to go to south america because i just have this feeling that i will love it. i am pretty open and just love to do new things and see new places. i want to visit our roaster someday in santa clara, ca. i also would love to go to stumptown in portland, which is the coffee shop that inspired my friend to open up the shop where i work now, small town coffee.

About Me:

i have been faithfully drinking latte's since i was a senior in high school...since 1997! i got my first job in a cafe at the age of 19 and have been doing it ever since. i love coffee....the smell, the taste, the effects :) my favorite is a quad shot latte in a 12 oz cup, at 140 degrees. i know, i'm a bit particular. i like latte art on it too. it's hard for me to let other people make my coffee for me, unless i know they are outstanding. i don't even like to take the chance on people sometimes because what if they mess up and we would have to waste coffee!! that is just terrible and if i know i can do it......is it just me, or are you like this as well? anyway, i love other things besides coffee, like shopping, singing and playing guitar, hiking, kayaking, paddling outrigger canoe, riding on the back of a harley davidson, sitting in the sun at the beach, playing volleyball....the list is quite large actually. mostly i love to be around friends and family and just have a good time. oh, and i forgot to mention traveling!! i totally love to travel and meet new people and learn about new cultures, languages.......i love kauai, but i'm not sure where i'll end up yet, this world is SO big!

About My Company:

small town coffee company was opened by melody harwell just over 3 years ago, in kapaa, kauai. she is an extremely passionate barista and a very driven person. it was my pleasure to work for her, side by side, striving to always serve excellence. she taught me a lot about coffee and helped me to take pride in every aspect of the coffee shop, from customer service, to cleanliness, to serving the best possible product. it wasn't long before i felt as if it were my own. she did sell the coffee shop 2 years ago to a team of 3, who have done an excellent job at carrying on the tradition of excellence, but will be back on the map again soon in oklahoma city! i love small town coffee company! it is the best job i have ever had! i love what i do and i love who i serve.

Website:

http://smalltowncoffee.com