Meet Brandie Potzick

We recently connected with Brandie Potzick and have shared our conversation below.

Brandie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

For a long time, I thought I had to emulate the more traditionally masculine approach to coffee and a cafe (sticking my nose up at putting flavor in lattes and minimalist, mid century or industrial interiors) in order to be taken seriously—especially in an industry that still tends to reward a very specific kind of ego. But the further I’ve gone, the more I’ve learned to trust the qualities I wasn’t used to seeing in the coffee world: intuition, empathy, softness. Turns out, those aren’t weaknesses. They’re what make Fable work.

Leaning into feminist values—care, community, transparency—hasn’t just shaped how I lead. It’s shaped the entire experience of our coffee shop. We’ve built something that resonates deeply with women, but we also hear from men all the time who say it just feels different here. That’s the point. The patriarchy hurts all of us, and we need more businesses that reflect what leadership can look like when it’s rooted in care instead of control.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I own Fable Cafe, a woman-owned coffee shop in the Westwood neighborhood of Cincinnati. We serve thoughtfully sourced coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and baked goods and pastries—but more than that, we’re building a third place for our city. A space to slow down, feel seen, and connect—whether you’re here for a first date, a writing day, or just your usual.

What makes Fable special isn’t just what’s on the menu (though we do make a fabulous coconut cold brew latte). It’s the way the space feels. Soft. Intentional. Alive with good conversation and quiet magic. Everything we do—from house made syrups to how we train our team—is rooted in care.

We are getting ready to celebrate our two-year anniversary on July 22, and we’re continuing to grow every day. We are excited about adding new food items to our menu and dreaming about secret-garden-inspired patio addition this fall. Our goal has always been to serve relational coffee in a beautiful, welcoming space—and to prove that doing things differently isn’t just possible, it’s better.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

First: care. Coffee might be the product, but hospitality is the job. If you don’t genuinely care about people—your team, your regulars, the person ordering decaf at 2PM—you’ll burn out fast.

Second: experience. If you want to open a coffee shop, work in one. Be a barista. Learn how it feels to be on the floor during a rush. Know what makes a shift run smoothly, what slows it down, and how to lead from that firsthand understanding. You can’t outsource that part if you want to build something sustainable—and human.

Third: resilience. The highs are high, the lows will catch you off guard, and sometimes they’ll happen in the same day. The best thing you can do is stay steady. Feel the feelings, then keep going. You’re building something real, and that’s always going to be a little messy.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Ina Garten’s Be Ready When Luck Happens really hit home for me. She writes about taking risks, trusting her intuition, and building something meaningful—not just for herself, but for the people around her. I was especially moved by the way she poured into her employees. She led with clarity, kindness, and consistency. She created an environment where people could grow and take pride in their work. That matters.

What also stuck with me was how deeply she cared about the experience of the people she was serving—how food wasn’t just about flavor, but feeling. That applies to coffee, too. Every drink, every interaction, is a chance to make someone feel seen, cared for, and part of something.

She reminded me that success isn’t just about strategy—it’s about intention, trust, and the people you bring along with you.

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Mackenzie Fulcher

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