I returned to the one place where I felt I truly belonged

By Paige D., coffeehouse leader

My Starbucks journey began in 2016 when I moved home after college. Like so many others, I was figuring out what exactly it was I was going to do next. 

My aunt had previously worked at Starbucks as a shift supervisor, and she encouraged me to apply. I remember her telling me about the health care benefits, along with 401(k) matching and Bean Stock.

I was hooked. 

When I started as a barista, my passion was craft. I was obsessed with creating the most picture-perfect beverages and working as a team to meet customer expectations. My store manager taught me so much about what leadership could look like, and I wanted to explore that next level. 

I became a shift supervisor and developed that passion for connection and community, and to not just meet but exceed customer expectations and drive results. 

After some time in that role, I took another job opportunity outside of Starbucks. It made me realize that the grass was not, in fact, greener on the other side. I was rehired at Starbucks in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a time when connection was struggling the most and a time of uncertainty, I returned to the one place where I felt I truly belonged — Starbucks. I put on that green apron once again and felt like I was home. Starbucks has always remained a consistent, safe place for me to learn and grow. It was this time around that I was ready to explore that next step, and I applied for the assistant store manager role. 

In August 2025, my husband and I welcomed our first child. As a new mom trying to ground myself in this motherhood era, I am so thankful for the 18 weeks of paid leave available to bond as a family. To not only have the support of the company, but to be able to share this joy with my peers, and to have the support daily of my fellow coffeehouse leaders who have since become some of my best friends, is a company perk that can’t be matched anywhere else. I also am such a huge advocate for using the Headspace app and have been utilizing Lyra for added support in this delicate time.

There is a quote by author and leadership expert John Maxwell that goes, “Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” I think back to that lost girl just starting with Starbucks and not knowing where life was going to go. 

I think back on all the coffeehouses I have had the privilege of working in and the partners I have shared this journey with — so many are still in my circle. I have been able to find my path, all because a leader believed in me and empowered me to find my own greatness. 

Today, that’s why I love being a coffeehouse leader. My passion is being able to walk alongside those partners finding their way. Whether their time here is just a stepping stone in their journey or if they are interested in next-level leadership, I strive to be a leader who empowers others to find their why. 

Our location in downtown Grand Rapids is a Mobile Order & Pay, pick-up-forward location. We have embraced our unique concept to focus on our downtown community and to foster that community connection. Our partners are big advocates for the Neighborhood Grant program Starbucks provides to give back. We have so much to offer, and I am proud to see our company embrace the courage to pursue greatness past our comfort zones. 

I want to give a shoutout to that coffeehouse leader who has been my coach, role model and friend for years, Lindsay R. Lindsay has shown me what being a leader means — how to hold space for partners, how to celebrate wins as a team, how to empower a team to do the hard work. 

It’s through the leadership of those before me that has led me down this path to honor our green apron partners and deliver the Starbucks Experience to partners and customers. 

It is here where we all grow together.