What is your position in the coffee industry?

barista, manager, coffee shop owner, barista trainer, coffee enthusiast, consultant

Where are you located? ( City and Country )

Duluth, GA USA

How many years have you been in the industry?

5

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 am the Chief of First Impressions and Goodwill Ambassador for Chocolate Perks. My main responsibility is making people happy. With more than a 20-year love affair with great food and service, I began in 1987 with my first job as a barista/bartender for a family friend's shop, "Café Espresso," in Gainesville, Florida. Like the many who have gone before me, I too have worked at SB and am embarassed to say so.

What cities or countries are you interested in traveling to?

I've been to the Czech Republic, Slovaokia, Chile, Peru, South Florida, Alabama, Costa Rica, and various other places around the globe. I am dying to visit Sumatra.

About Me:

As a Duluth native, I was thrust upon the hospitality industry at the early age of 12 by my mother, "The Official Wedding Director" for North Central Baptist Church. While serving food and cleaning up after the Receptions my heart for service grew strong as did my enthusiasm for the business.

In 1988 I began working banquets and events with Emiliano's Catering Company, then moved to South Lake Tahoe where I rubbed elbows with celebs while working for *5 Star* Llewellyn's Fine Dining Restaurant in Harvey's Casino Penthouse.

In 1999 I began working with Special Occasions Catering at Savannah Grande reception Hall. After almost 10 years working in Event Management with Savannah Grande, I was approached by Duluth's own Payne-Corley House to come back home as Operations Manager for Sage House Group Management Company. Being born downtown at Joan Glancy Memorial Hospital and having been brought home to the Historic First Baptist Church Parsonage, I accepted the position - allowing me to express my love for Duluth, GA.

When my contract with Sage House Group ended, Marsha Bomar offered me the change to live my personal dream by helping to bring CHOCOLATE PERKS to historic downtown Duluth, GA.

About My Company:

CHOCOLATE PERKS is Historic Downtown Duluth's newest addition. A place created for friends and neighbors to gather in a wonderful atmosphere with great food and a great place to chill, brought together by Chief Happy Officer Marsha Anderson Bomar and me, the Chief of First Impressions. Being "The Dynamic Duo" that we are, we started getting down to business in 2008, putting our plan together to bring to our hometown a quality venue for spending time with friends, family, or other special people in our lives. Come in for a GREAT cup of coffee and a GOURMET chocolate dessert or even a simple luncheon of a Sizzling Panini Sandwich and Garden fresh salad. We'll be using all natural ingredients whenever possible.

But trust us when we say the story didn't start in 2008...

Some of you may wonder, "Just what qualifies Marsha to be the Chief Happy Officer at Chocolate Perks?" Well, we think being a lifetime devoted Choco-holic is a great start. Add to that a true servant's heart, a total dedication for top quality ingredients, and sprinkle in a lot of love. Good enough for us. And what makes me the best Chief of First Impressions? Stir in my lifetime dream of making people happy and total dedication to making your every experience a terrific one...sounds like a great recipe huh?

What is your favorite thing about the coffee industry?

Giving free espresso and a puppy to small children!

Website:

http://www.chocolateperks.com