We recently had the chance to connect with Jess Sabine and have shared our conversation below.
Jess, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
This is such a fun question for me to answer! I have been consciously seeking activities outside of my normal work life to bring more joy into my days. This is definitely a two part answer:
First, I’ve been slowly getting involved with a new community group called The Crowded Table – which is focused on community building for business owners. We are all about doing business from the heart, gathering around the hearth, sharing stories, wisdom, kindness, and business with each other. That has been a true joy. Could not recommend finding a local group of women to commune with on a regular basis.
The second is a little more approachable for people not in my immediate community. I’ve been absolutely LOVING Amy Pohler’s podcast Good Hang. It’s given me a new perspective on my progress as an entrepreneur and a ton of laugh-out-loud moments. Do NOT recommend listening while you’re lifting weights because you will laugh and drop a weight awkwardly.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jess Sabine and I am a restaurant and cafe owner based in Webster, Massachusetts. My business is called The Rose Room and we are a community focused cafe that sources locally and makes whatever possible from scratch.
At The Rose Room we’re baking, we’re building recipes, we’re making syrups and sauces. I don’t have a team of baristas, I have a team of quite talented individuals who are invested in giving the best hospitality that they can, crafting beautiful lattes, cooking on the hot line, and going above and beyond for the business and for our guests.
In addition to being a local favorite for breakfast, lunch, and specialty coffee – we regularly host local artisans for pop-up shops, the occasional drag show, open mics, workshops, and networking events.
We cater locally in both Massachusetts and Connecticut too! If you’re looking for a good time, we can provide it.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
It took many, many years for me to understand the power that is held within each human being and so within myself. For most of my young adult hood I would feel moments of strength, and I would cling on to those and seek them out – but for the most part I felt powerless and unseen. I was constantly longing for someone to really notice me, to take interest, to seek me out.
I always felt powerful on the high school softball field. I wasn’t a superstar, but I had enough skills and smarts to play the game well. My father played sports throughout his life and tough me about doing all things with a sense of purpose, about taking care of my equipment, about good sportsmanship, teamwork, and the pride that should come with being a member of a team. When I stepped onto the field, I knew exactly what I was doing, how to behave, and how to help others be successful too. That gave me a sense of power in my teen years.
Those lessons have carried over into my business. Working with purpose, taking care of my equipment, teamwork and caring for others, and the pride I have in the business.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You are valuable. You are beautiful. You are capable.
Keep listening to your gut – it will never steer you wrong.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Because that is alignment. Period.
I don’t want to live in a world where the person I’m speaking to is someone different behind closed doors.
I don’t want to live in a world where I have to hide who I really am in order to make society happy.
I am an open book, wear my heart on my sleeve kind of girl. And I always will be.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Using social media and watching TV. I honestly don’t know why I have not stopped already – I guess bad habits die hard.
I could add so much more value to my life and to the lives of those around me if I just got off the screens!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Theroseroomcafe.com
- Instagram: theroseroomcafe
- Facebook: theroseroomcafe
- Other: tiktok: therealroseroom
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