Having access to coverage for IVF made a life-changing difference for my family

By Junior A., coffeehouse leader

I’ve been a partner for eight years now. My wife is also a partner and has been with the company for five years. We didn’t meet through work, but it has been special to share this experience together.  

One of the benefits we have used is coverage for IVF. Having that coverage through our medical plan made a life-changing difference. It helped remove a major financial barrier and allowed us to focus on building our family rather than worrying about the cost. It means a lot knowing there’s support available during major moments in life.

For me, Starbucks has played a huge role through its focus on development and the variety of opportunities available to partners.

When I started as a barista in 2018 after working as a supervisor at a pizza place, I was looking for a different environment. Starbucks stood out to me because of its culture of belonging, positivity and connection. It felt like a place where people genuinely wanted to be.

I moved fairly quickly into a shift supervisor role. I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to take in my life, but my coffeehouse leader at the time, Paula, encouraged me to keep developing anyway. She reminded me that growth doesn’t have to be tied to having everything figured out, and that stuck with me. With her support, I continued developing and later moved districts, applied for an assistant store manager role and was selected. I’m now approaching one year as a coffeehouse leader, and I’m grateful for how each step prepared me for the next.

I wouldn’t be here without Paula. She believed in me and was very direct in her feedback, but it was always from a place of care. She saw potential in me before I saw it in myself, challenged me with open-ended questions and consistently pushed me outside my comfort zone. What stood out most was that she never treated us like employees — she cared for us like family and I believe that’s what separates a true leader from a manager.

I try to lead the same way by supporting and challenging my partners while showing them they’re valued beyond their role. However they grow within Starbucks or beyond it, I want them to leave stronger, more confident and feeling genuinely supported. 

Growth doesn’t only mean moving up; it can look like becoming a barista trainer, pursuing a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University through the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, taking courses through Starbucks Global Academy, becoming a Coffee Master or building leadership skills in everyday moments. Those resources create space for partners to grow in ways that feel meaningful to them.