Freshly Brewed Coaching

Connor navigated the slippery streets on his way to work, his car tires crunching through the freshly fallen snow. Today was his one-year anniversary at Freshly Brewed Café, and he couldn't help but reflect on the journey. As he gingerly pulled into the parking lot on Queen Street behind the cafe, carving a fresh path of tire tracks in the snow, he thought about how quickly he had mastered the art of making espressos and lattes. He had listened, learned, and applied himself with a dedication that had made him a favorite among the regulars. The warmth immediately embraced him as he entered the café and kicked off the remaining snow from his shoes. A rich aroma of newly ground coffee beans enveloped him and welcomed him like an old friend. Connor waved to Troy, who he could see was in the throes of tidying up near the front counter, taking advantage of a rare lull in the café's bustling traffic. He always had admired Troy, one of the owners of the cafe and a former entrepreneur in the real estate industry. He was charismatic and had a profound passion for coffee and coffee shops that were kindled during the early formative years of building his enterprise. Troy often regaled his employees with tall tales from those early days working tirelessly in coffee shops. Connor knew the stories well and could almost tell them verbatim. Troy would begin “I was a scrappy real estate entrepreneur with big dreams and an empty wallet! Back then, my 'office' was a rotating roster of coffee shops scattered across the city.” He would vividly recount each one of the shops and their own unique charm and character, and how he learned more from those places than in any boardroom or seminar. Those cherished memories were what actually fueled his decision to open Freshly Brewed Cafe along with his wife Vicki nearly 11 years ago, aiming to offer the same inspiring space to others. Now semi-retired and hoping to transfer his euphoric energy to the next generation, Troy always reminded the employees as they would start a shift, as he did to Connor just then, “Every time you serve a customer or make a latte – you’re not just making coffee, you’re creating a legacy of passion, community, and dreams!" Connor, ever inspired, looked out at the familiar panorama and smiled as Troy walked away. He thought about the eclectic mix of customers who frequented the café and all of the unique stories that unfold every day and how he was sometimes a part of them. Each of the regulars had their own quirks and preferences, like Susie, who always ordered a decaf coffee with double cream and one sweetener—Splenda, never pure sugar. "Morning, Susie," Connor greeted her as she walked in and he readied himself at the counter. "Morning, Connor. How do you always remember?" Susie asked, genuinely surprised as he already started preparing her drink without her even ordering. Connor chuckled. "It's part of the job, remembering faces and orders! Makes it more personal, don’t you think?" Susie smiled warmly. "Well, you do a great job." Wayne walked in just a few minutes later, his usual energetic bold self, despite the cold. "Ho, ho ho!”, he exclaimed. “Hey Connor! How’s it going?" "Good, Wayne. The usual large regular for you today?" Connor asked, already reaching for the cup. "You got it my friend. Just got back from another training session in Toronto. You should’ve seen the energy in the room," Wayne said, taking his coffee and brushing off some of the snowflakes from his coat. "Sounds exciting. You always seem to bring that energy back with you," Connor replied. Wayne was a boisterous, jolly, and inquisitive regular at Freshly Brewed who never hesitated to strike up a conversation with anyone he met. Nearing retirement, he was still sharp as a tack, very smart and a touch eccentric. His rapid shifts from one topic to another in discussions were his fun way of keeping people on their toes. With a heart full of kindness and a penchant for good humor, Wayne was always on the lookout for opportunities to help people and make them laugh. He worked as a Life and Business Coach and was perfectly suited to help get people motivated. His presence was unmistakable. Connor often thought that the tornado of his boundless energy and his trademark gray bushy mustache made him the most memorable character at Freshly Brewed, always leaving a lasting impression on those fortunate enough to cross his path. Wayne sat down at a small table in the front of the cafe, rustling a bit in his wooden chair, and curiously looked around at the other guests hoping to spark up a new conversation and learn something new.