(Tom Pionek): Kate Mau wrote this post yesterday and because our blog automatically archives everything at the end of the month, her post was only up for one day. We felt Kate deserved more time than that, so we're posting it again:

Five and a half years ago I walked into Stone Creek Coffee in Wauwatosa looking for a part time job.  Today I am finishing my last shift in Bay View, wondering where this time has gone.  I went from barista, to lead staff person, to manager at two different locations.  As someone who never thought she would be here this long I find myself reflecting on all I have learned: leadership, accountability, that you can be friends with the people you work with, meeting people where they're at, how to remember six drinks in a row, and undoubtedly how to make a good cup of coffee.  One of my favorite quotes by Annie Dillard is, 'How we spend our days is, in fact, how we spend our lives.'  As I look forward to now becoming a regular customer, I know that every morning I spent waking up at 5am to turn on the lights, open the doors, and brew that first batch....was a day well spent. Thank you SCC.