A job that broke me🫠
Once upon a time I worked as a cashier but i ended up leaving because it wasnt meant for me a few months later my boyfriend and friends pushed me to get into Starbucks and sure enough i did!. I was so excited to start as I was never a barista,a few months in my manager had to leave so the department was without a manager…a month goes in a no one still took the job so I talked to my boyfriend and we both decided it would be a good try. Well I got the job! I was now the Starbucks manager, I was stressed at first because it was a mess but I ended up falling in love with my job, my staff was short so I was basically the only worker there 99% of the time I pulled 50-60 hour weeks sometimes 12-13 hour shifts but I did not care because I loved my job. But the worst happens…we had a meeting and I got told my department was getting shut down (for reasons I’d rather not discuss) and I was so devastated!!! And not just me my whole team😕, they checked out, so it was up to me to finish the job from starting to pack to selling our products that won’t be any use. So there it is….im tearing down my own department I worked so hard for all by myself. I was promised another position but I got denied due to discrimination…it was a fight with the store manager but the higher ups didn’t seem to care. So I eventually got put on cashiering again and i was miserable beyond belief, not to mention the store manager told me everything that happened to my department was my fault when all I did was try my hardest to make my department better. So I eventually quite due to being poorly treated. I am truly sorry for anyone who has to go through this as it is not a pleasant experience and this is why I encourage people to be at a job they love and get treated equally❤️. Let this be a reminder that even through the hardest parts of your life you can find what your truly worth and be the better person you were meant to be.#lemon8contest#AskLemon8#STARBUCKS #fyp
It's funny, when I first stepped into that Starbucks manager role, I truly believed I could conquer anything. But looking back, I realize why it's often described as one of the hardest positions to hire for and build a team in. It's not just about making coffee; it's about being the backbone of a busy store, managing personalities, and constantly battling staffing challenges. When my department was without a manager for a month, it really highlighted how difficult it is to find someone willing to step up. Who wants to inherit a 'mess,' right? I did, and I quickly learned why it's such a tough sell. The expectations are sky-high, often with limited resources. You're expected to be a leader, a trainer, a problem-solver, and sometimes even a therapist for your team, all while hitting sales targets and maintaining brand standards. Building a cohesive and high-performing team in such an environment is a constant uphill battle. I remember those endless shifts, trying to cover for absent team members, training new hires while simultaneously doing inventory and managing customer complaints. It felt like I was always wearing multiple hats, and the pressure to keep everyone motivated and engaged was immense. You try to create a positive atmosphere, a 'family' feel, but the reality of demanding hours and sometimes low pay makes retention incredibly hard. It's not uncommon for new hires to last only a few weeks once they see the true pace of a busy Starbucks. I often wondered what district managers really looked for when trying to fill these 'hard-to-hire' roles. Do they truly understand the day-to-day grind? I think they're looking for resilience, strong leadership, and an ability to inspire. But what they also need to provide is unwavering support and realistic expectations. When you're constantly short-staffed, the 'building' aspect becomes less about strategic growth and more about immediate survival. You're just trying to keep your head above water, ensure shifts are covered, and prevent burnout among your existing baristas. My advice to anyone considering a similar leadership role, or already in one, is to really understand the commitment. Don't be afraid to ask for help, and learn to delegate effectively, even when it feels like you're the only one who can do it perfectly. More importantly, remember to advocate for your team and for yourself. It’s a role that demands so much, and while incredibly rewarding when things go well, it can also test your limits like nothing else. It certainly tested mine, and I learned invaluable lessons about leadership, resilience, and knowing when it's time to step away for your own well-being. It truly is a journey of growth, even through the hardest parts.
