Kendra Barron, Retail Director and Barista Education

In 2003 I moved from Kansas City to attend MIAD here in Milwaukee. Shortly after moving, I was hired as a part time barista with Stone Creek Coffee. As a nineteen year old, I was sad to leave my family, but I soon found out that the coffee community I had been hired into was a family of its own. I worked part time through college, and after I graduated I took a full time position at SCC in Bay View in 2006. In the same year Stone Creek Coffee hired me for my first “desk job” as a wholesale account manager, community coffee team director and customer service representative (we sometimes wear many hats here). I loved the work, but missed the opportunities to lead, grow and develop staff in to outstanding baristas. Still in the coffee industry, I took a job with one of SCC’s wholesale accounts, where I did train baristi, but that family and a value system part was missing. In 2008 I embarked on a year to remember; I started a new job managing our retail store in Whitefish Bay, I got married, started a family and made more friends at the store in WFB than you can shake a stick at.

All of the above experiences lead me to realize my desire to teach my passion; coffee and service. As the Director of Retail Operations and Barista Education, my work is to impart my experience and love for the final espresso beverage to all staff, wholesale and factory members. Every drink that is served, and the manner with which it was served is my business. Only the highest quality and the most genuine service can accurately honor the hard work of our farmers, the perseverance of our company and the support of our community.

Once again I find myself back at the Stone Creek Coffee factory and my husband in the cubical next to me, just like how we met way back in 2006. On the weekends Steve and I hang out at home, play with baby Camille, brew coffee in our pour overs, listen to records, shop the thrifts stores and talk endlessly about what we want for our family.