Meet Biggby’s barista of year

She stopped in for a latte, and they offered her a free drink if she’d apply for a job.

“I was just excited to get some coffee because I hadn’t been into a Biggby in a while. The hiring manager was there, and she basically told me that if I applied that day, I would get a free coffee. And I said to myself, ‘I’m gonna get a free coffee today, and I’m never going to talk to these people again,’” Anna Wincek said.

The offer was simple: Apply and get a free drink. But the plot twist was a career stirred with purpose and now — national recognition.

Within three years, Ms. Wincek rose to manager of the Maumee shop on South Detroit Avenue and has now received the title of Biggby’s Barista of the Year, outpouring competitors from more than 450 locations across 13 states.

Some might see a barista’s work as just pouring coffee, but the role has evolved as they are often the first point of contact for many people and help set the tone for the rest of their day.

Biggby Coffee, headquartered in East Lansing, Mich., is a national coffee franchise with a stated mission to “create a world where people are energized by purpose, connected by community, and uplifted through everyday interactions by fostering real relationships, encouraging kindness, and creating spaces where people feel like they belong,” a mission Ms. Wincek takes to heart.

In an average 3 to 5-minute interaction, the single mother of a 4-year-old son works to forge a connection whether through a shared laugh or a remembered order.

“As somebody who has experienced a lot of hardship, I know that everybody else is going through just as much, so I want to make sure that the interaction that they have with me is a good one,” she said. “If it’s one good interaction for their entire day, at least they had that one good one.”

The company’s baristas are nominated from every store by customers who rate them on their service and great attitude. Maumee store regulars wrote glowing letters to Biggby’s campaign sharing their admiration for their favorite barista’s ability to know every customer’s name, order, and story.

“It makes you feel special, and it makes you feel like somebody’s listening,” said Sylvia Muniz Mutchler, a regular customer. “She knows my order, but I just think in general, in anybody’s business, communication and customer service — that’s really the key to everything ... and a friendly smile. She’s got it, she’s got the characteristics, she’s got the traits, and she knows when to use them.”

After juggling multiple jobs to make ends meet — car detailing, pharmacy technician, medical records work, and even a stint at another Biggby location — the barista has finally found her niche, transforming the coffee shop to more than just a place for caffeine — but a community hub.

While Cassie LaPlante has been a regular customer at Biggby Coffee for about two years because she loves the Chai Charger latte, the service is a key reason for her frequent visits.

“A lot of it’s because of Anna. As soon as you walk in, it’s a bright presence because her smile just happens to light up the room. She’s always excited to see you and remembers little things about you,” Mrs. LaPlante said.

“She knows my order. She’s like, ‘You’re getting your regular?’ I’m like, ‘Heck, yeah.’ It’s very welcoming and homey,” she continued. “Let alone that the product is worth going back for, she definitely really ups that ante in making it such a great experience.”

Ms. Wincek’s honor comes with not only a trophy but a one-week trip to Nicaragua in October, where the chain’s coffee is sourced. She highlighted the significance of farm-direct coffee and the company’s ethical practices.

When she told her son she was bringing home a trophy, he said, “You’re the big, best barista girl of the year,” Ms. Wincek said.

Gary Dible, store owner, said he knew from the interview that Ms. Wincek was going to be a “strong asset to the team.” She excels both at managing customers and employees, he said, keeping the whole operation motivated and running smoothly.

“Not only is she a fantastic barista, but she’s a fantastic manager too. We have this saying that we want every customer to leave the store in a better mood than when the customer arrived ... one of our operating philosophies,” he said. “She feels that same way about the employees. She wants every employee to leave their shift in a better mood than when they came into the shift.”

Ms. Wincek advised single moms to set goals and do more than only “what’s required” because your children benefit from seeing you achieve those goals.

“It’s easy to think, oh, well, I’m just a mom, or I’m just a barista. But you can make opportunities for yourself too. You give it meaning,” she said.

Contact Sheila Howard at showard@theblade.com.