Meet Jessica Graves of Starbucks in Canton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Graves.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jessica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I am originally from a small town in North Carolina. I came to Georgia to join/support family in early 2011. Closer to the end of 2011, I decided to pursue a dream of mine and I enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as a Paralegal. Upon my return, I continued my education at Kennesaw State University. I was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, and I had graduated with a Degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

During that time, I began working for Target in their Investigation/Asset Protection Department. After graduation, I took a position at Macy’s working within a few locations in the Atlanta market. I connected with a variety of people that shared different outlooks on life that made my transition from one state to another so impactful. I was primarily focused on continuing doing anything and everything in the investigating/ legal aspects of the military and company I worked for, but as my personal life started to change and as I grew older I realized a lot about myself which changed my aspirations.

While I was in college, I met my now husband. He is in the military himself (currently deployed). Our family expanded and now we have two little girls. When I initially found out I was pregnant with my oldest, I realized I had to change my career path, because what my husband and I were both doing was dangerous and at the end of the day we needed to think of the girls first. I decided to reach out to a friend who had been trying to convince me to invest in this company that will allow me to grow, share ideas, and most of all by myself.

So, I did! In 2016, I decided to take a step down from my current position with Macy’s and join Starbucks as a Store Manager. Believe me, when I say it, I would not change that decision for anything. I am able to influence, develop, mold and shape future leaders. I am able to grow, tap into the community by doing things like “Coffee with a Cop”, “Coffee with a Firefighter”, serve and donate in any way I possibly can. I have connected with partners of all walks of life and helped them through difficult times and more importantly help them see the value you in themselves. I hope to continue to grow and move forward so I can continue to be relevant for the company I enjoy.

So here I am now a Hispanic woman, mother of two, still serving and overseeing a store. I owe it all to every person I have been able to help along the way and has helped me see my worth.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not! I had to do what I had to do to support my family and myself as I grew older. I started working at 14 years old, at a local ice cream shop, because if I wanted anything, car, phone, the latest fashion; I had to buy it. Not saying my mother did not want to give me those things, because she worked hard, it’s just the reality of the circumstances. I took chances, I put myself out there, and again it was some of the people that believed in me along the way that helped me become who I am today.

Did I make the right choice every time? No. Would I go back in time and do it over? No. I learned from each challenge, and I still face challenges which help create the best version of myself.

Please tell us about Starbucks.
I currently manage a store for Starbucks. Within my store, I am known for being genuine, yet direct, and caring for each partner I am responsible for. I love connecting with the community and hosting a variety of events at my store to help customers feel it is their third place to go to besides home and work. Starbucks gives its partners the ability to appreciate everyone for who they are. They have different groups within the organization like the Woman’s Impact Network, Black Partner Network, Pride Alliance, Armed Forces Network and so much more. What truly sets it apart is the investment. We are not just a number, we are invested in. Whether it is going back to college or in my case having to do a military obligation, Starbucks pays for it.

I recently had a partner go through a bad time in their life. Their mother had passed away, and it was actually the second loss they had experienced in two years. Instead of turning my back on the partner, we banded together as a store to make sure she had any and every support she needed and the reassurance that her job would be there for her upon her return to take the time she needed. That is the most recent, but seen partners struggle with substance abuse or even financially and through Starbucks I was able to help give them the resources/direction they needed.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My mother used to take me to this Japanese restaurant and she would let me get a Shirley Temple. It would come in these Japanese ceramic mugs. I loved that moment. I would just sit there just the two of us and enjoy the night. It seems ridiculous I know, but my mother was a single mother and it is the one that sticks out the most because even when we didn’t have much, she made sure we had moments like those.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Starbucks.com

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