BREWING UP SUCCESS

The Gazette recently sat down with Kelli Wood, manager and barista at Caravan Coffee in downtown Belmont, to talk about her job and industry:

How long have you been in this field?

“I started working for Caravan 13-and-a-half years ago, part-time. I was a stay-at-home mom for nine years after my second child was born, and this job gave me the flexibility I needed so that I could be home with the children when they got out of school. I now work what I call full time/part time, five days a week for five hours a day.”

What is your favorite part about this job?

“The people of Belmont have become my favorite part about working at Caravan. We have such a friendly community and we’ve developed many friendships over the last 15 years that we’ve been open. The great atmosphere, great coffee drinks, and great desserts have made Caravan such a great gathering place, and I’m thankful to be a part of that.”

What is the hardest part about this job?

“I’d say the hardest part of the job as manager would be the hiring and training of employees. We have a relatively high turnover rate since most of our employees are high school or college students, and eventually move on to the careers they have studied for, or to another town for school.”

If you could do anything else for a job, what would it be?

“Before I moved to North Carolina I was a travel agent, and if I were not a barista I would happily go back to that line of work. I love learning about new places and cultures, especially focusing on what I call the “local experience.” Taking away the stress of planning off my client’s shoulders would be (and was) the best part.”

What would you tell someone who is interested in getting into this field?

“I would tell them that it’s very much a people person type of business, and with that, you have to be friendly and upbeat. Besides making sure your drinks and service are consistent, your job is to ensure that every customer that walks in walks out happy. And maybe a little more energized!"

Do you love your job?

Is what you do for a living so rewarding or impactful, you’d like more people to know about it? Or do you know someone who warrants being highlighted for any of those reasons?

If so, we would like to feature you or someone you feel is deserving in our On the Job series. To take part, contact staff writer Michael Barrett at 704-869-1826 or mbarrett@gastongazette.com.

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