How Serving Coffee and Waiting Tables Taught Me Valuable Skills Important in Any Career - Episode 006

Before I led strategy meetings, built content plans, or pitched to executives, I was 16 and half-asleep behind a coffee bar—sometimes a little hungover from the night before and figuring out how to make a customer feel seen while running on espresso and teenage rebellion.

Sounds chaotic? It was. But my first two jobs as a barista and then a server taught me some powerful skills that I carried into my career.

In this episode of Jeans with a Blazer, I unpack the realest jobs I’ve ever had: working in hospitality. I share the raw, unfiltered lessons I learned while serving tables and frothing milk.

Whether you’ve worked in the service industry or not, these lessons can benefit anyone who wants to lead, connect, or show up more powerfully in their life and work.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

Making Others Feel Seen Is the Secret Sauce

Most people just want to feel acknowledged. Whether it was a regular’s coffee order or asking how their dog’s surgery went, small details made big impact. It taught me that remembering people isn’t just “nice”—it’s powerful. It builds trust, loyalty, and connection, fast.

You Set the Vibe

I treated my coffee shop like it was my own little universe. Music, lighting, energy—it all mattered. I learned that leadership starts with how you show up, even on days you feel like a half-functioning caffeine zombie. The way you show up shapes how others feel in your presence.

Anticipating Needs Builds Trust

If I saw a regular’s car pull in, I’d start making their drink before they walked through the door. That instinct to read the room and act before being asked? It’s one of the most valuable skills I’ve carried into business, coaching, content, and collaboration.

Accountability > Excuses

In restaurants, everything is your fault—even if it isn’t. The food is late? Your fault. The glass has lipstick on it? Your fault. The chef quit mid-shift? You guessed it. It taught me to take responsibility without taking things personally, and how to keep my cool under pressure.

Adaptability Is a Power Skill

From slammed lunch rushes to broken espresso machines, service jobs force you to pivot constantly. It taught me to solve problems quickly, communicate clearly, and recover from setbacks without spiraling. That’s a life skill—period.

Boundaries & Resilience Go Hand in Hand

Working hospitality taught me how to deal with people… all kinds of people. I developed thicker skin, faster conflict resolution, and a deep understanding of how to move through tough moments with grace—and without absorbing everyone else’s energy.

This episode is for you if:

✅ You want to build people skills that actually translate to real-world success.
✅ You’ve worked in hospitality or retail and know how real it gets.
✅ You’re in a leadership role (or want to be) and crave stronger communication, empathy, and grace under pressure.
✅ You’ve ever dealt with a difficult person and wished you had better tools to handle it (hint: this episode delivers).
✅ You’re navigating burnout, pressure, or constant change—and need to know it can shape you into something stronger.