Behind The Scenes With Bethany
Our “Behind The Scenes'“ series highlights one of our production team members, celebrating their unique contribution to the Tala experience. We believe the connection behind and across the bar can be meaningful and impactful. Our production team is the glue that holds Tala together, and we wouln’t be who we are without them. Learn more about what makes each person on the Tala Team unique with this personal interview.
She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is the moment. The lovely Bethany, dubbed the “Queen of Production” is the heartbeat of our production team at Tala! Bethany is an often unseen hero, double checking coffee orders, loading up supplies for our cafes, and making sure everyone is doing what they need to do in order for you to have a smooth and enjoyable café experience! Bethany is dedicated, passionate, and loyal. She’s an integral part of our production team and I know you’ll love learning more about her just as much as I did!
Q: WHAT IS YOUR POSITION OR ROLE AT TALA? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THIS ROLE?
I am the Production Manager. This means I am kind of the head of production – I facilitate online orders, coffee club, café things, our Neighborly program, and more! I also work with wholesale coffee orders – all the behind the scenes things!
Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT TALA? TELL ME ABOUT YOUR START, WHAT BROUGHT YOU HERE?
I’ve been the Production Manager for about 2 years, but worked behind the bar a little over a year before that. I’ve known about Tala since its beginnings! My sister used to work with Keith, Stefan, and Joanna prior to starting Tala, so I knew the team well. When Tala was just a coffee booth, I used to visit them at the Highwood farmer’s markets. Once they started building out their first café in Highwood, I wanted to apply but missed the deadline and ended up working somewhere else.
I’ve worked in the food service industry for a decade – I used to work at Bagels by the Book and Anam Cara. I’m a Libertyville girl for sure!
Q: WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU AS PRODUCTION?
Generally, I have a list of pre-production tasks to complete before my team comes in to do their work. I like to get a jumpstart on things so everyone’s job can run smoothly! My day usually begins by looking at café inventory levels and running reports to understand what syrups we need and tell our syrup production what they need to get working on for the day. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are the busiest as these are our roasting and Neighborly days. On an average day in production, my team and I bag coffee, make syrups, load up the neighborly van, create our neighborly driving route, work on wholesale orders, clean up, and do it all over again the next day!
Q: WHAT WAS IT LIKE MOVING FROM BEHIND THE BAR TO BEHIND THE SCENES WORK IN PRODUCTION?
When I started at Tala, I actually worked as a Production Assistant and in the café! When I worked in the café it was fun to educate customers on our production process and give them insight on how our coffee goes from seed to cup. When I completely left the café it was a drastic change, all of a sudden we had three cafes to provide for! There was so much to manage. I enjoyed connecting with customers behind the bar, pulling shots, and creating latte art. After leaving the cafe, I really missed it and felt like there were moments of it I took for granted. Being way less customer-facing was a tough adjustment!
Q: WHAT’S ONE PART OF YOUR JOB THAT YOU THINK PEOPLE MIGHT OVERLOOK – BUT IS REALLY IMPORTANT?
It’s super awesome that we make syrup in-house! But many people don’t realize the huge undertaking this is. The time and planning it takes to make just one bottle – the ingredients we have to plan for, the time it takes to make, and coordinating the delivery to the café! There is a lot of intentionality and thought behind every bottle of syrup we make.
Additionally, I think the aspect of production itself is an easily overlooked piece of being a specialty coffee shop. Many customers, and even some café staff, don’t even realize the complexity of what we do. Some people have never been to the warehouse or even know that it exists. Everyone is always surprised by how much we store and keep track of!
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT TALA?
Honestly, the access to good quality coffee! I love getting coffee, sharing it with other people, and enjoying it myself. It is such an awesome perk!
Now that I have a team to manage, I really like working with people and spending time with them throughout the day.
Q: WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES WORK THAT HAPPENS HERE?
In general, when people hear the term “production manager” they don’t understand the concept in the context of a coffee shop. But in the specialty coffee world, it means a lot and we manage so many moving parts. Many people don’t even know that production exists! There is a separation between us and café staff.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE QUALITY ABOUT YOURSELF?
I think I’ve always been a good leader and really like the way I lead my team and care for my coworkers.
Q: WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’RE REALLY BAD AT?
I’m a terrible surfer.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY AT TALA?
I really enjoyed the days before the Libertyville café existed and it was just production back here! I got to work with my sister, Martha, so much more and we had a lot of fun. Production felt closer and less spread out before the build out! Now we have windows into the production space and have to be more professional!
Q: WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT AT WORK?
I like to hang out with my sisters or make dinner with my mom. Depending on the season, you’ll find me working on schoolwork.
Q: WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU DID MORE OF?
I used to paint and draw a lot – but have recently switched to ceramics and creating pottery. I like to be outside as much as I can – reading or creating something artistic. I used to love rock climbing and would love to get back into this.
Q: SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF!
The last few years I’ve been doing more solo traveling! It’s been an unofficial birthday tradition and something I’ve grown to love.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE AND WHY?
10 Things I Hate About You! I really enjoy Heath Ledger. As a romcom, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and funny! An easy and fun watch.
Q: WHAT SONG DO YOU ALWAYS HAVE ON THE QUEUE IN THE WAREHOUSE?
Sailor Song by Gigi Perez.
Q: WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT FOR THE FUTURE?
It’s a combination of things. I’m excited to be going back to school and working towards finishing my degree, to become an ultrasound tech. I’m also excited for some future travel plans – international this time!
I also have a lofty dream of having my own art studio, even if it’s just at home!
Q: TELL ME ABOUT SOMETHING YOU’RE REALLY PROUD OF!
I am proud of myself for going back to school and juggling the workload with my job. I’m proud of myself for doing well in school and working hard at it.
Q: DO YOU HAVE A SECRET OR OBSCURE TALENT?
I am double jointed!
Q: WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU’RE GRATEFUL FOR?
I am grateful that I am close with my family and prioritize them in my life. I love spending time with my family and am so grateful for the ways they’ve shown up for me, especially in the challenges of this last year. I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with my grandparents before they passed this past year.
Q: WHO’S AN INFLUENTIAL PERSON/ROLE MODEL IN YOUR LIFE?
I don’t know if I have a specific role model. I am always feeling inspired by women who are in positions of power or leadership. I love seeing women-owned businesses or female C.E.O.s of successful companies. I think this is such a meaningful reflection of what women can do. It makes me feel like I could do that too!
Q: WHERE IS SOMEWHERE YOU’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO VISIT?
Definitely, New Zealand. I first wanted to in early high school and have spent years researching it and planning. I was supposed to go in 2020 and wasn’t able to due to the pandemic. I’m hoping to make it there soon! It seems like the perfect mix of adventure and simplicity.
Q: DO YOU HAVE A MORNING RITUAL OR FAVORITE WAY TO ENJOY YOUR COFFEE AT HOME?
Actually, my favorite time to enjoy coffee is sitting outside, especially when it’s a crisp autumn day. If I have the extra time, it’s definitely a slow morning outside with a cup of coffee.
Q: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP TO VISIT (BESIDES TALA!)? ARE YOU A REGULAR ANYWHERE?
I’m not a regular anywhere necessarily, but if I had the chance I would like to visit Onyx. I would love to see their roastery and production situation. Getting the chance to see the way another place does it! When I travel, I like to check out different roasteries and see what they’re up to!
Marissa Cummings
On staff at our Libertyville café, Marissa loves befriending customers and making the perfect cup of coffee. When not behind the bar, she is usually exploring new coffee shops, curled up with a good mystery book and a warm miel in hand.