Owning a small-town coffee shop in Harlem, Georgia, has been a journey filled with both challenges and rewards. As a former barista, stepping into the role of owner has been a significant transition, requiring me to navigate various hurdles that come with running a business in a tight-knit community. As a former barista turned owner, one of the most challenging aspects of owning a coffee shop has been dealing with unexpected employee call-offs and being short-staffed. These situations can be incredibly stressful, especially during busy periods. As a small business owner, I’ve had to learn to adapt quickly, often stepping in to fill the gaps myself or rearranging schedules at the last minute to ensure that we can continue to provide excellent service to our customers.

On top of the challenges at work, there are also personal responsibilities to manage. Recently, we had to drop off our new Tesla for repairs following a minor car accident. Dealing with these kinds of unexpected events can be overwhelming, and I am slowly learning how to prioritize and delegate tasks to ensure that everything gets taken care of without compromising the operation of the coffee shop.

Another challenge I’ve faced is adjusting to closing shifts that take longer than they used to. Since I haven’t had to do closing shifts for a long time, getting back into the swing of things has been a bit of a learning curve.

Despite the challenges, owning a coffee shop in Harlem has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to become a part of a vibrant community, forging connections with customers and fellow business owners alike. The sense of pride and fulfillment that comes from running a successful small business is unmatched, and I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.

#SmallTownCoffee, #HarlemGeorgia, #CoffeeShopOwner, #BaristaLife, #CommunityFirst, #BusinessOwnerJourney, #PersonalResponsibilities, #CoffeeShopChallenges, #ClosingShifts, #ProudBusinessOwner

MUSIC:
🎵 Music provided by BGM President
🎵 Track : A Summer Night’s Dream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC29Vt9u6T0&t=0s

🎵 https://youtu.be/5zq-u92tFZY?si=Tndim0Y9NH_31mmr