Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelley Smith.
Kelley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I spent 19 years in the Specialty Coffee sector, primarily with Starbucks Coffee Company. It was a phenomenal company to work for however, I have always thought that if I could take the skills, I learned with the coffee giant and bring that to underserved communities, the impact would be great. So fast forward to 2018, I started BaristaSource LLC with the mission of creating a pathway to Specialty coffee training for underserved communities, specifically those with people of color.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Even with my experience, degree and mentors, funding for entrepreneurial businesses is already challenging but combines that with the inequalities in the banking industry towards minority-owned businesses and it’s a tough road ahead. Bootstrapping is really the way most minority-owned businesses come to fruition and we are no different.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the BaristaSource story. Tell us more about the business.
BaristaSource LLC is the nation’s first and only Barista Staffing and training firm. We have a unique footing in the marketplace because we are subject matter experts with an immense amount of insider knowledge of the challenges within Specialty Coffee. Currently, the only way to learn how to be a Barista is by getting hired at a coffee shop. Well, we wanted to streamline the process and create a more accessible pathway for everyone who wants to learn about Coffee.
I’m most proud of the lives we’ve saved by training and placing people with troubled past, folks coming off of government assistance and anyone re-entering the workforce. Jobs creation is a direct solution to crime, unemployment, homelessness and gangs.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Our industry has taken a huge but since the onset of Covid-19. The industry in itself is pivoting to survive and so are we. People have lost jobs and the training for new skills is necessary for survival. We will be there to ensure those needs are met.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebaristasource.com
- Phone: 4048292781
- Email: info@thebaristasource.com
- Instagram: @BaristaSource
- Facebook: BaristaSource LLC
- Twitter: @BaristaSource
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