Coffee Shop Manager   

What are your main tasks as Coffee Shop Manager?

- I have a wide variety of tasks. They stretch from budgeting and scheduling, to serving coffee to guests. My main task is to provide a good working environment, while running a favourable business for the company. Every day I ask myself "how can we improve?" and then work from that, both administratively and behind the bar.

I am responsible for my own recruitment and the further development of my colleagues. As a Coffee Shop Manager, you are responsible for your own coffee shop's performance, but also a part of a district, where you together with the other managers, have to try to lift it to new heights every day.

What made you choose Espresso House?

- I joined the company as a full-time barista after I graduated from high school. At first, it was a sabbatical job that I had only intended to last for a year. Already the first month in the company, a whole new path opened up that didn't involve the traditional university education, and I was hooked on operational optimization and coffee nerdiness. Espresso House has a hugely strong pipeline, tailored to people like me who thrive in a busy environment, and don't necessarily dream of an academic education.

Since starting, I've been a Master Barista, Assistant Manager and Coffee Shop Manager. I have managed four different coffee shops, opened a new coffee shop and much more. I want to stay at Espresso House, because I feel like I'm constantly evolving, and I can see what my next goal is.

What have you learned from working at Espresso House?

- I like to say that I've learned to be "adult" by being at Espresso House. In addition to the daily floor-to-ceiling cleaning, I have learned to be patient, solution-oriented and structured. As a manager in a dynamic workplace, it is important to be able to keep track of things when turnover suddenly increases or decreases, when you suddenly get a termination or sick leave, or when everyday life suddenly presents unpredictable operational problems.

I have therefore learned the essential of maintaining a positive overview, and especially of delegating so that the entire coffee shop staff is prepared to tackle everyday challenges.

When was the last time you laughed at work? - And what was it about?

- I laugh every day. We laugh with each other, and we laugh at the mistakes we make together. We laugh both in the bar and after our shift, over a cup of coffee or a drink.

What is the best thing about working at Espresso House?

- The working environment and colleagues. It may sound cliché, but you won't find a nicer place to work.

If you had to describe Espresso House in one word, what would it be?

- Dynamic.
No two days are the same and we have to constantly adapt to everything from the weather to roadworks. The great thing is that you never stand still, and every day you face new challenges and learn new ways of tackling issues. In short, you never get bored at Espresso House.