Small Town, Big Grind: Building a Coffee Business

Follow The Good ShiftInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/thisisagoodshift/Support today’s guest ☕Check out their shops and give them a follow:Umatilla Java Junkies → https://www.instagram.com/_java_junkies_/Irrigon Java Junkies →https://www.instagram.com/javajunkiesirrigon/This week we’re sitting down with a woman who knows what it means to show up — even on the hard days. Katie Sappington. Katie is the franchise owner of Java Junkies in Irrigon, Oregon. A community builder, and someone who took the leap into business ownership when it would have been easier to stay comfortable.We talk about what it actually looks like behind the coffee stand window — the fears that come with starting something of your own, the things no one tells you about running a business, and the growth that happens when you decide to keep going anyway.In this episode we get into:• What pushed her to become her own boss• The parts of business ownership that surprised her the most• How she leads a team and protects her energy when she’s running on empty• The shifts that changed everything for her as a business ownerWe also talk about what a “good shift” really means — not just at work, but in life — and the seasons that shape us into the women we become.If you’ve ever thought about starting something of your own, wondered what it takes to lead, or needed a reminder that you don’t have to be “ready” to begin… this conversation is for you.And because community matters, we’re celebrating this episode with a giveaway featuring exclusive merch from Java Junkies.Because around here, we believe in community over competition — we rise together.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Good Shift Podcast02:35 Katie's Journey as a Franchisee05:28 The Evolution of Java Junkies08:21 The Coffee Culture and Community Impact11:33 Challenges of Business Ownership14:23 The Transition from Employee to Owner17:27 Fears and Responsibilities of Ownership20:13 Staffing Challenges and Team Dynamics26:50 Coffee Shop Chronicles: Misunderstandings and Humor30:31 The Challenges of Leadership and Exhaustion34:54 Finding Balance: Work and Personal Life40:04 The Journey of Business Ownership48:12 Embracing Fear: The Path to Entrepreneurship57:43 A Burst of Light