Meet Mary Mahler | Coffee Program Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Mahler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe the most important factor behind success is loyalty. Yes knowledge is very important, but I wouldn’t have gained all that knowledge and vital connections without being loyal to my previous employers. I know that the past two companies hired me based on the fact that I managed a coffee bar for almost 10 years at such a young age. I never jumped around and tried to advance my career by looking for the next best thing. I commit myself to growing within whatever company I am currently working for and if after a while I can tell I will not advance, then I move on. The knowledge and business connections I made through being loyal, is what made my latest, and most successful venture, possible.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently the Coffee Program and Human Resource Director for a company called Capri Gelato & Coffee Bar. We have just started our first Brick & Mortar and plan on many locations to come. This company is exciting because it began with catering at the Golden Globes After Parties 2 years in a row, and other high profile celebrity events. When the Owner of Capri Gelato & Coffee Bar realized the quality of the Gelato and Coffee was a huge success, he could not wait for our first store front to be opened. The Owner, searched for the perfect team to build the company from the ground up. My husband was hired as Gelato Chef/Operations, I was hired as Coffee Director/Human Resources and we have a third partner Remi who is the Chief Marketing Executive. My extensive coffee knowledge which I gained through years of being a barista, coffee manager and attending coffee expos and classes is what landed me the job. Have I struggled with the choice of being a “career barista”? Yes of course. Many people have doubted me, or even made fun or light of all the knowledge I posses on coffee. Did I ever dream it would get me this far? No, but I didn’t care. I love what I do and no one would be able to stop me. Once you find what you love, chase that. Don’t chase money. Success comes from hard work, loyalty, knowledge and determination. It was not easy for a time, because I was stuck at companies that would not advance my position because, to them, being a barista manager is the highest you can get in the coffee industry- this is false, and I had to constantly tell myself that. I always had to keep in mind that my ideas were great and one day I would be able to express them freely. It is important to continuously expand your knowledge in a particular field, be confident in what you know and share it with people whenever you can- some will not care, or even make fun of you…but eventually your speech will reach the right business person who has been waiting for someone just like you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Obviously our first stop would be at my cafe Capri Gelato & Coffee Bar. From there, a short drive to Abbot Kinney to shop, then go a little further north to Venice Beach to eat at a new Italian restaurant OSPI. Of course, we would end up at the Santa Monica pier and beach for fun sights and activities.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I started my coffee career in Hawaii. An Italian couple who hired me as a barista at their popular gelato shop entrusted in me to develop a coffee program and eventually manage the cafe at 20 years old. The knowledge they shared, passion they expressed and full complete trust they put in me was something I recognized everyday and I now try to mimc in my management style. Everything they did to make their business a success, they shared that with me. I even learned how to make croissants, bake pies, and do accounting. This couple now runs a cafe in Victoria, Canada called Mosi (their last name). I am so grateful they took me into their arms and shared their passion with me. I was fearful to become a “career barista” but they made that fear go away with the confidence they expressed in me. I will always give them credit for any type of success I have, because it all started with them.

Website: www.caprigelato.com
Instagram: @caprigelato @Mary_loves_coffee
Linkedin: Mary Mahler
Twitter: @caprigelato