From Barista to Centre Manager: My Four-Year Journey
Hi, I'm Cheran! Four years ago, I started as a barista at what would become my second home - a vibrant coworking space that's shaped my entire career trajectory. Today, I'm proud to say I'm the centre manager of The Curious Lounge, but the journey to get here has been anything but straightforward.
When Plans Change
Originally, I was at university, following what seemed like the traditional path. But when Covid hit, everything changed. My university plans didn't work out as expected, and like many others during that uncertain time, I found myself needing to pivot quickly. What felt like a setback at the time turned out to be a blessing in disguise - sometimes life redirects you exactly where you need to be.
Finding My Voice
If you'd told me four years ago that I'd be managing a team and regularly engaging with clients, I would have laughed nervously and probably hidden behind the coffee machine. I was incredibly shy when I started - barely speaking unless spoken to, keeping my head down, and feeling overwhelmed by even the simplest customer interactions. The transformation from that quiet, reserved person to someone who now leads meetings, manages social media, and builds relationships with our diverse community still surprises me sometimes. It's amazing what stepping outside your comfort zone repeatedly can do for your confidence.
Building Skills One Coffee at a Time
Starting as a barista taught me more than just how to pull the perfect shot or create beautiful latte art. Those early morning coffee shifts were my foundation, teaching me about customer service, working under pressure, and the importance of consistency. But I was hungry to learn more.
Before long, I was running the coffee shop - managing stock, handling sales, and training new baristas. There's something special about passing on skills to others, watching someone master their first proper flat white or seeing their confidence grow behind the machine. These experiences taught me that I genuinely enjoyed the training and development side of management.
Discovering My Strengths
As I took on more responsibilities, I discovered something about myself that I hadn't expected - I have a real passion for admin work and processes. Whilst others might find spreadsheets and systems tedious, I find something deeply satisfying about organising everything and making it all run smoothly.
Today, my role encompasses operations, social media, digital marketing, room bookings, invoicing, managing booking revenue, SEO, and leading our front of house team. Each area has taught me something new about business management and about my own capabilities.
Life Beyond Work
Outside of the coworking space, I'm constantly challenging myself in other ways. I'm passionate about learning languages - currently working on Spanish, Korean, Japanese, and Portuguese, with Mandarin on my list for the future. My goal is to become a polyglot one day, and every new phrase I learn feels like a small victory.
I'm also a huge anime fan and love exploring different cuisines and learning about cultures from around the world. These hobbies might seem unrelated to my work, but they've actually helped me connect better with our diverse coworking community. When you can chat with a member about their favourite Korean drama or recommend a brilliant Japanese restaurant, it creates bonds that go beyond just business.
Lessons Learnt
Looking back, I've learnt that growth happens one skill at a time, one challenge at a time. From mastering the espresso machine to mastering business management, every step has taught me something new about myself and what I'm capable of achieving.
The journey from barista to centre manager hasn't always been easy, but it's been incredibly rewarding. I've discovered strengths I didn't know I had, developed skills I never thought I'd need, and built relationships that have enriched both my professional and personal life.
Looking Forward
I'm sharing this story as much for myself as for anyone else reading. Sometimes we need to pause and acknowledge how much we've grown, how far we've come from where we started. It's easy to get caught up in day-to-day challenges and forget to celebrate the progress we've made.
As I look towards the future, I'm excited about embracing new challenges and seeing where this journey takes me next. The skills I've developed, the relationships I've built, and the confidence I've gained have prepared me for whatever comes next.
To anyone reading this who might be in a similar position - whether you're dealing with unexpected changes to your plans or wondering if you're on the right path - remember that sometimes the best opportunities come disguised as detours. Stay curious, keep learning, and don't be afraid to embrace the unexpected.
After all, four years ago I was just trying to make a decent flat white. Today, I'm managing an entire operation and planning my next adventure. If that's not proof that you never know where life might take you, I don't know what is.
