What does it take to go from making lattes to managing a thriving multi-location coffee brand? In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Smith, founder and owner of Armistice Coffee in Seattle, to talk about her inspiring journey from barista to business owner—and the lessons she’s learned about leadership, trust, and growth along the way.

We dive into the behind-the-scenes of owning multiple coffee shops, the importance of hiring for heart over skill, and how Rebecca’s vision for community-first cafés shapes every decision she makes. She also opens up about selling one of her locations, navigating tough feedback, and what it really takes to scale a business rooted in passion and purpose.

Whether you're dreaming of opening your own storefront or just love a good entrepreneurial origin story, this one’s for you.

In this episode:

• How Rebecca went from employee to owner in the coffee industry
• The biggest lessons she learned from management roles
• Building a strong and consistent company culture
• Tips for hiring with heart (not just a résumé)
• How to prepare your business for growth—even if you're not ready yet
• What it's like managing people, roasting coffee, and building community
• Her personal action steps to move through fear and take the leap

Action Steps for the week:

1. Reach out to someone in your industry and ask questions—don’t be afraid to cold pitch a coffee chat.
2. Write down your wins and the things you know you’re good at—return to this when self-doubt creeps in.
3. Give yourself grace—entrepreneurship is hard, and progress doesn’t always look like success

Connect with Rebecca:

Armistice Coffee Website: https://armisticecoffeeco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armisticecoffee/

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:

Steal my Podcast Launch Checklist for free: ⁠https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/⁠checklist⁠

Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EspressoPodcastProduction

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@espressopodproduction

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

Produced by Espresso Podcast Production: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/

Join the Conversation: What did you think of this episode? Share your thoughts and key takeaways with me on social media using the hashtag #EmployeeToBoss. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network.