Fire and Knives

Seven Mile Latte (Stumptown Hairbender)

I was diagnosed with Dyshindrotic Eczema this week. The first outbreak started during 500hr training. By the time I saw the dermatologist, my right hand was transforming into hamburger meat at an alarming rate. In hindsight, an outbreak of something should have came as no surprise. I'd spent months torturing my hands, alternating them carelessly between humid conditions in the hot yoga studio, a coating of drying magnesium powder for climbs, and the hot water bath tending bar.

Vegan Blueberry Pancakes and Strawberry Nutella Waffle

I was a little shocked that I wouldn't be making coffee anymore, a skill I have come to take some pride in. I would also be leaving a job I have had for over a year, but the blow was softened considerably the next day. Healthy new skin revealed itself beneath incapacitating blisters that had been the bane of my-- and anyone-around-me's-- existence.

I learned a ton in my year at Seven Mile Café. I have never worked as part of a team with a more cooperative backbone. That isn't to say there aren't quirks, but in general everyone does their best to embrace strengths and excuse weaknesses as the business that unites and empowers them grows.

In high-pressure situations, and a busy restaurant can feel as compelling as a code blue, frustration, unforeseen challenges, and miscommunication abound, but the owners and management of this team have an innate and unrivalled ability to motivate and maintain high expectations in the face of what an outside-observer could only describe as chaos. It's not mysterious to me where this power comes from.



10,000th shot pulled

I have never worked in a business where the owner was present everyday. I have never worked in a business where its owners and their managers worked just as hard on the front lines as their employees... every... day. Kevin and Jose's engaged presence has allows them to make responsible innovations and form relevant assumptions about a very diverse pool of team members.

The unique environment they have created by striving to improve themselves makes it impossible for those who do not adopt the same dedication and critical thinking skills to stick. The hostess-in-training who lasted an hour before forfeiting, "I can't do this." comes to mind.



Seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte

I hope to own my own business sooner or later, and when I do, I will remember Seven Mile Cafe. I will remember the sacrifices, investments, and adjustments. I will remember the loyalty and community these people attracted by being remarkably themselves. I will remember the passion for food and attachment to quality of product whether a poached egg or shot of espresso. I will remember, most of all, the focus and willingness to forgive in the midst of passion, fire, knives, and Sunday rushes.

Hope you had a good one today.

Artist: Abby Buford, Manager of Seven Mile Highland Village

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." -Proverbs 27:17