Hey everyone! Happy February! I’m happy to report we’re now half-way through winter, which we’re going to call a “win.” In spite of the cold, the last few months have been eventful and we’re looking forward to a great spring in Milwaukee. As Omicron subsides and the weather warms we expect Milwaukee will be eager for some killer cafe vibes. So we’re working to make sure our teams stay well-staffed and well-trained for a busy summer season.
B CORP PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT – As you all know by now, we have finally received our B Corporation certification. We were thrilled to accomplish this goal, and we look forward to talking more about this together in our workshops later this month. More on that in just a second. We plan to make this announcement public on Sunday, and we look forward to celebrating this step together in person later this spring.
FEBRUARY WORKSHOPS – Later this month we’ll be hosting our seasonal learning workshops digitally. Given the recent spike of the Omicron variant, moving the workshops digital felt like the most prudent move. Teams & People will be working with Team Leaders to schedule you for a workshop based on your availability. We plan to do these earlier in the day this time, and not necessarily on a team by team basis. Our goal for this round of workshops is twofold:
- We want to spend some time explaining our B Corp certification and the implications it has for how we run Stone Creek Coffee now and into the future.
- The last two years have been very difficult for most people. The social and personal effects of COVID have been far-reaching. We’ve all faced situations that we didn’t know how to handle. Many of us have been more isolated from friends and family. Our mental health and physical wellness may have suffered. So, we want to discuss that a bit together and share some thoughts and frameworks that may be helpful for you in living a healthy, balanced life.
LATTE ART – Over the next few months we will be focusing on leveling up our latte art. Hailey Barsch, or Director of Education is leading this effort. Here’s a brief note from her, and you can expect to hear more in the days ahead:
“Being Our Best – Hey team. Over the past few months, I have been working with our coffee leaders to focus on how we can bring our best and deliver beautiful drinks to our customers. We have an opportunity to be world class and truly exceptional in our latte art. I’m excited to say that we are taking a big step in moving this project forward. Throughout February, I am asking every barista to focus on their art and deliver art that meets the following standards.
- Silky/glossy microfoam.
- Excellent contrast between the crema and the milk.
- The Art fills the surface of the latte.
- The Art is evenly distributed and centered in the cup.
- The Art is Intentional & Beautiful.
I will be sending some visual examples here in the next few days. The following few weeks should be filled with focus and intentionality, as we work to reach this goal and level-up our latte art together.
Finally, to bring energy to this focus, I want you to mark your calendars for the following three SCC-only Throwdowns: March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day), July 22nd, and November 11th. These throwdowns will not only be a great opportunity to relax and have fun with your coworkers, but the top three winners will take home the following cash prizes. Third Place: $200; Second Place: $300; First Place: $500! There will no longer be a buy-in and these will be open to Stone Creek employees only. Winners from the most recent TNT will then be asked to be judges for the next TNT as a team member cannot win two TNTs in a row.
Thanks for your attention to this! I’m really looking forward to collaborating with you and seeing what we can accomplish together!”
GEISHA & OAK BARREL – We sourced an amazing Geisha coffee from Bolivia that is currently scheduled to arrive in late March. Each Stone Creek employee will be receiving a quarter pound of this to brew up and play with on your own. We will have a very limited amount (like 40) of 12 oz bags for customers, so they’ll only be available online. So, get hyped for that! That’ll be followed closely by an Ecuadorian coffee that was fermented in oak rum barrels. April is going to be a great month for Milwaukee coffee geeks.
Thanks everyone. Per usual, don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if we can be of help in any way. See you (virtually) in the workshops very soon!
Drew P.
Development Director
dpond@stonecreekcoffee.com, (940) 733-1414