Passion

One of my favourite pictures is taken by Hockie, a fellow barista that I was working part-time with Starbucks in Singapore way back in 2002. It is a black-and-white shot of the portafilter of the La Marzocco Espresso machine and I think it captures the abstract beauty of espresso making. This machine is where I learned to make all the various espresso-based drinks(eg lattes, cappuccinos, etc) and the task I enjoy doing the most: making dense foamy milk.

I guess I was one of those who followed the ‘proper’ way by graduating from university and based on what I have studied, went to work in IT and subsequently consulting . Heck, I even started my own consulting firm with my mate Yen Pin after we left McKinsey. While I enjoy running our own business, I know working in an office was not exactly my cup of coffee(pun intended ). Anyway I was sitting outside a Starbucks, having another random-thoughts day trying to figure out what I enjoy doing, when I realized that I enjoy interacting with people on an informal setting, taking in the smell of coffee, and having a place called my own. Wanting to test out this sudden thought, I went inside and applied for a part-time barista position.

I did that for 15 months in Singapore and started again at Starbucks Canada from Jan 2008. Not only did I validate my passion through my stints at Starbucks but it has also further my interest and education in coffee and also the tremendous difficulty in running a successful cafe. It is a tough business: stiff competition(ironically from players like Starbucks and Timmies), tight cost margins for success, physical requirements,occasionally irate customers, etc. But more importantly, I also realize is that when I am at Starbucks, I am no longer treating it as a job and I really enjoy what I do. I guess that is what passion is all about – it is not about money or the easy way, but the courage to do something that I love to do.

anyone with me on this?

Memories from SB(Singapore) – celebrating my 31st birthday