What is your position in the coffee industry?

barista, manager, barista trainer, coffee enthusiast

Where are you located? ( City and Country )

Omaha, Ne

How many years have you been in the industry?

13 years and few extra days...

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

yes

Tell us more about your coffee shop or barista skills.

I started working in this industry by chance. It was always one of those far away dreams that I always loved thinking about. I grew up watching the show Friends, and I loved the idea of having a place where you could drink coffee and have a fun and laid back time with comfy chairs and delicious desserts. The second job I ever had was actually the first time I ever used an espresso machine. That was in 1993 at a place called New York Bagel and Deli. It was a small machine with only one portafilter, I was only 17 at the time......but the love of a great tasting latte was born in that little sandwich shop. The next place I worked at was actually a yogurt shop that also housed a coffee kiosk called Java Coast. Surprising that a yogurt place served coffee, but I thought it was a genius move, living in Nebraska. When people don't want icey cold yogurt, why wouldn't they want a mocha in those cold winter months? I then was faced with a challenge........find a new job because the yogurt shop was going out of business. Not for any particular reason, except for that the owners wanted to retire. My sister-in-law got me interested in a new bookstore opening up, with a cafe that was going to serve Starbucks coffee. So it didn't take me too long to decide that was going to be my next venture in the coffee world. Mind you this was before any actual retail Starbucks stores in Omaha had even opened up. I was so excited to be in on the ground running! I got some really excellent training for 2 weeks straight before we opened for business. And it was just about a year later that I was offered a position to manage the cafe. A job that was scary and exciting all at the same time. Some of my greatest memories are because of the long lasting friendships I formed while working in that little coffee shop. And in fact, the first person I ever hired was just 16 years old at the time, and just a few years back I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. I spent so much time building a community at that store, but there did come a time when I needed to move on. Life throws you a lemon you have to make lemonade right? That same girl who I first hired, started to nudge a past customer who was her current manager and a local Omaha coffee shop. They were looking for managers, and she showed up one day (I don't think it was an accident), and within 2 weeks I was thrown into a whole new world. Coffee shop, with a drive thru and a bakery, and it's all mine! Well.......sort of. :) I've been with Crane Coffee for 4 years now. This is just a starting off point for me, for what is up next.....there is so much more to learn. It's such an exciting place and an exciting time!

What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?

I recently visited Seattle for the first time. Of course it was amazing! I need to get a passport so I can travel to Italy and drink espresso in a cafe, or Guatemala to see the rows and rows of coffee trees! How exciting would that be?

About Me:

33, engaged to be married in like 88 days! Coffee, music, friends and family. It's a life, it's my life.

About My Company:

Crane Coffee began in September 1991 in Omaha, Nebraska by its founders, Paulette and Steve Hammerstrom. The first location operated under the name “Espresso Express”in the Brandeis Building in downtown Omaha. In 1993, they opened the first Crane Coffee at the current 77th & Cass location. Throughout the years, they opened several new locations, closed a couple and continued to build the brand.

Although Crane Coffee was very successful through 2006 and opened many locations it also represented a time of great change in the company. Steve died in 2006 after a long battle with cancer. Paulette continued to operate Crane Coffee until September 2008 when she sold the company to Lori & Brad Foerster. Lori and Brad were just what Crane Coffee needed for the next chapter in the story of this outstanding company. They respect and honor the history of Crane Coffee while moving the business to the next level. Today there are seven locations.

What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?

EVERYTHING IS COFFEE, AND COFFEE IS EVERYTHING!! <3

Website:

http://www.cranecoffeeomaha.com