It’s watching someone spread their wings. ❤️
Years ago, Joannie worked for me at Pacific Perks. Then life took an unimaginable turn when she lost her husband. Eventually, she moved to Ellensburg, started a new chapter…and opened her own coffee trailer, The Buckin Bean.
Why am I telling you this?
Because this past weekend, while I was at the Pendleton Round-Up — Let’er Buck! 🤠 — I saw Joannie. In her coffee trailer. Serving customers with that big smile of hers.
There were HUGE hugs. Huge smiles. And one very proud former boss.
As I walked away, she said something to me that absolutely melted my heart:
“Because of you, I have this”
And wow. ❤️
It reminded me that one of the greatest privileges of leadership is getting the opportunity to pour into people – to teach them, encourage them, give them skills and confidence…and then watch them take those things and make them their own.
Sometimes they stay with you.
Sometimes they move on.
And sometimes you run into them years later at the Pendleton Round-Up, standing inside a coffee trailer they built for themselves.
Joannie, I am SO proud of you.
Keep spreading those wings. You are flying. ☕️❤️
