Today, on International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible women we partner with, café owners, baristas, and hospitality professionals who bring passion and dedication to the industry. We are proud to support them and to witness their success in everything they do.
Noelle is the head barista at TNB Café, bringing skill, passion, and a love for hospitality to every cup she serves. With a background in the kitchen and a drive to connect with people, she has found her place behind the coffee machine, perfecting her craft and creating meaningful moments with customers every day.
What inspired you to work in the café industry?
I studied to be a chef. I loved cooking for my family and seeing the joy on their faces. However, working in the kitchen is a different story, and I didn’t get that same feeling. I wanted to be able to see the joy on customers’ faces and have that connection with people. So I branched out into a café work lifestyle and really found joy in it.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day for me is a day for women to give themselves a pat on the back for all the hard work they’ve gone through. It’s a day to celebrate how far we’ve come and a day to encourage all women to go for their goals and not give up on their dreams.
Are there any women in your life or career who have inspired you?
My stepmum Rose is someone I look up to. She’s a very strong and independent woman, and to this day, I see her challenging herself to learn beyond what she already knows. I find this truly inspiring.
What do you enjoy most about your role at the café?
What I love about working at TNB is more about the small things, the friendships the team has built, the interactions with customers, the space to work on my latte art, and the ability to be myself, making TNB feel like a second home.
Any advice for women thinking about starting a career in hospitality?
There’s nothing scary about working in hospitality. Hospitality is a space where all you can do is learn and keep learning, and that’s what makes it so great. You’ll be surrounded by so many people who are willing to help you and share their knowledge. I think that if you were to find a job where you already knew all the answers, well, that would be a bit boring, challenge yourself!
What are some challenges you face working in a café?
One challenge that comes up often for me is the random rush (haha) when I’m solo. I’m personally someone who has trouble asking for help, so that is something I’ve worked on and will continue working on moving forward. I’ve also had to figure out a system and workflow that works best for me to get through the rush. And of course, telling myself “good job” when it’s done.
What keeps you motivated when things get challenging?
I think it’s really important not to let any challenges bring you down. As long as you know you’re doing your best, you are doing great. But when in doubt, take things one step at a time and just believe in yourself. This is how I managed through all of my challenges, and it’s worked every single time.
Thank you Noelle for taking part and for everything you do!
