Morning's coffee bars are prime spots for informal exchanges between members. Each coffee bar is run and brought to life by a barista, with a very particular profile. This strategic job is one of the main roles Morning recruits for, with more than fifteen coffee bars across the network.
The people in this key role come from all walks of life. The flexibility of the baristas' specific contract gives them time and availability. Working 30 hours a week, baristas have the chance to develop a second activity alongside. Variety of background and creativity are very much the order of the day: some are masters of the performing arts, while others are self-employed, notably in events or food. To illustrate the freedom this job offers, we introduce you to 3 particular journeys. Those of Morgane Gilet, Anne-Laure Segla and Julie Bofy, who are, respectively, a food entrepreneur, an actor and a wedding planner.
Morgane, barista at Morning Monceau,
And founder of Mojo Food!
Alongside her work as a barista, Morgane Gilet founded Mojo food, a company making healthy snacks based on peanuts, seeds & maple syrup. “I started my business three years ago now. Mojo food came into being in the café area of a bike-courier company, right through to its current form,” says Morgane. Since it was founded, her company has come a long way and its range has been refined. “Today I'm targeting several distribution channels for the snack packs: delicatessens, online platforms, yoga studios and, of course, coworking spaces!”.
The barista at the Monceau coffee bar also highlights the flexibility her role gives her. “During my day as a barista, I often manage to find quiet moments. That means I can keep dealing with my emails and sorting out the details of Mojo. When my shift ends at 4pm, I often settle into the workspace with my colleagues. The setting has a friendly yet studious atmosphere, ideal for focusing on my second activity for a full two hours,” she continues.
But Morgane wants as much flexibility as possible in her schedule for family life. “I'm also the mother of a little girl, and I'd say the barista role at Morning is ideal for young parents,” before going on: “It's particularly well suited, both for its flexible hours and for the working environment itself. I have free time to look after my business and my daughter, while spending time in a place where I meet people from all backgrounds and can concentrate fully during the quiet hours,” Morgane insists.
Anne-Laure, barista at Morning République,
And an actor, director and choreographer!
As well as looking after the Morning République-Boulanger coffee bar, Anne-Laure Segla is an actor. She is the co-director of the play Séraphin, produced by the French musical-theatre company Selma and an actor with Velours & Macadam. “I'm not on the intermittent performers' scheme, so I've always had to have a job on the side. I joined the team three years ago through an actor friend who worked here too. I've stayed because, on top of a very pleasant working environment, being a barista at Morning has several advantages, notably working hours split across half-days and a flexible timetable.”
For the young actor, organising the service by half-day allows for more flexibility in the schedule. “This arrangement lets me plan the time I devote to my other activities better, so that they fit perfectly with my diary. I doubt I could do the same if my barista schedule were organised differently…”.
As a professional actor, Anne-Laure sometimes has to arrange to free up time from one day to the next. “There have been times when I've had to take time off from one day to the next for an audition; but there too, my managers and my colleagues have always been very accommodating. Being able to adjust my timetable is vital in my line of work, and thanks to the barista team, it's possible.”
Julie, barista at Morning Amsterdam,
And a wedding planner!
Julie Boffy set up her wedding-planning agency Konfetti three years ago. A barista at the rue d'Amsterdam space for almost two years now, Julie treasures the freedom this job gives her. “Just after the first lockdown, events were at a standstill because of the health crisis. I needed to see people and get back to an active life,” Julie points out.The barista also stresses the financial freedom and security her job gives her. “My second activity had been put on hold. I still wanted to have a fixed income every month while I waited for weddings to pick up as before.”
Although events are once again in full swing, Julie was keen to keep her job. “So I work every morning at the Amsterdam coffee bar and devote my afternoons to weddings. I'm also present at every wedding, which makes for quite a pace, especially at this lovely time of year!” Being a barista at Morning isn't only a byword for flexibility; Julie was determined to stay at Morning. “Even after the restrictions, having financial stability at a time when weddings are becoming scarce is essential.”
But this job also plays a key role in her balance. “Being a barista at Morning lets me see people every day and chat, while keeping my afternoons free to carry on organising weddings all over France! That way I can hold on to my second activity while interacting with the members and my colleagues.”
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