Tucked away in a small corner of a shopping mall, stood a retro coffee shop. It was bursting with energy and the smell of blended coffee welcomed each person with warmth. The lively music filled the open space, and all kinds of conversation saturated the air. Taking in all the bustle around her, this barista, Nancy, took a moment to look around and smile. This was it. She was living the dream.

After several years of uncertainty about her career life, she finally hit gold. What common folk would think of as a ‘transitional’ job, she knew was permanent and something real. She didn’t care that it didn’t garner a lot of money or that it wasn’t what was expected of her as an adult. Her desire for service and connection exceeded her greed because she knew that it was more than serving coffee.

It was about creating a memorable experience that consisted of delicate moments keeping people wanting more. And Nancy was a natural at cultivating such an atmosphere. Anyone that met her, knew that she was someone who truly listened and remembered the small details of their lives. It could be about their job, family or even something as simple as their name and their coffee order. Customers always found themselves coming back, not only because of proximity to the shop, but because of her friendliness. And this is what enticed Nancy to commit to this field of work. The beauty in the mundane, the space for vulnerability and of course, sealing the whole experience was the rich, decadent coffee, which she was exceptional at making.