We were lucky to catch up with LaNisa Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi LaNisa , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I get my work ethic from my mom. I watched this lady raise 5 queens and never complained about how much she had to work. She has always worked and had a side hustle to make sure we were taken care of. As a kid she would always tell us that lazy people do double the work, so do it right the first time. My mom gave a 110% at every job she had. I watched her help others when we didn’t have nothing. If she didn’t know how do do something she figure out a way. I took everything she taught me and I apply if every day I put in work. I don’t know how to give up or let things stop me because The examples I had growing up showed me that hard work and dedication can take you places and opens doors that you didn’t know where there.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Barista Life La is coffee education and training company. We service any and everyone who wants coffee education. Barista Life La provides a space for this in the coffee industry to be seen and heard. A space where you can grow and explore your coffee journey. We do not gate-keep or withhold an information. We train offer trainings for home brewers, those who are looking to start a coffee career to shops that have opened but need some updated training to offering corporate events. We also offer training to those who have been incarcerated and give them a second chance at life. Barista life la host and sponsors throw downs and coffee community events. We highlight black coffee professionals doing there thang in the coffee community. We want to be a safe hub for those who feel displaced and for those who don’t have access to training or can’t afford it.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Being one of the few black peoples in the coffee industry has taught me a lot. -Having to find away to learn more about coffee and to better my craft because I was being denied information tonight me how to go get it.
-Being patient and understanding has helped me connect with so many who have been in the same position.
Understanding how people learn has been one of the best skills. Being able to explain and things in ways others learn is why I feel I’m very good at what I do
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I would like to collaborate with those who have like minded ideas and those who want to change the way coffee is viewed. Those who are willing to share there knowledge and give others the opportunities. Look to partner with local cafes who are willing to hire those who have criminal records. Coffee/ coffee equipment company that are willing to donate equipment for the Baristas Life La Lab. Those who believe in sustainability and paying farmers fair prices. Collaborating with those who believe that giving someone the tools to enter themselves in life can change the world a little at a time. Building up the community and making coffee more accessible to any and everyone
Contact Info:
- Website: Baristalifela.com
- Instagram: BaristaLifela
