Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life at Coterie (Or How I Survive Tuesday Chaos with Style)

Hey beautiful people!

So, you want to know what really goes on behind the magic at Coterie? Well, grab your coffee (preferably one of ours) and let me take you through a typical Tuesday - aka one of our busiest, most wonderfully chaotic days of the week.

6:30 AM - The Pre-Game Ritual

My alarm goes off and I'm already mentally running through the day. Coffee inventory? Check. Did I remember to prep the scones yesterday? Please say yes. Is my hair cooperating today? TBD, but that's what dry shampoo is for, right?

I roll into Coterie around 7:30 AM, and there's something magical about those quiet 30 minutes before we open. The space feels full of possibility, like it's holding its breath waiting for the day to begin. I flip on the lights, fire up our espresso machine (hello, beautiful Seven Hills coffee), and do that little mental checklist that keeps me sane.

8:00 AM - We're Open and the Magic Begins

The doors unlock and within minutes, I can already see some familiar faces walking up. Tuesdays have this beautiful rhythm - we've got our morning regulars who've made Coterie their weekly gathering spot. There's this one group that claims their corner table every Tuesday for their weekly check-ins, and honestly? Watching them support each other through life's ups and downs is exactly why I created this space.

By 9 AM, the cafe is humming. I'm behind the espresso machine pulling shots, steaming milk, and somehow managing to have actual conversations with people instead of just taking orders. That's the Coterie difference - we're not just serving coffee, we're serving connection.

10:30 AM - The Morning Rush Reality

This is when things get real. The laptop crowd has settled in, the morning meetups are in full swing, and I'm doing that delicate dance between making drinks and making sure everyone feels seen. Someone needs their usual oat milk latte extra hot, another regular wants to try something new, and I'm mentally calculating if we have enough cold brew to make it through the day.

Pro tip: If you see me frantically texting while making your drink, I'm probably checking with our suppliers or making sure we're stocked for tomorrow. The glamorous life of a small business owner, folks!

12:30 PM - The Handoff

Here comes my favorite part of the Tuesday routine - Alexis walks through the door at 1 PM like the superhero she is. We do this seamless (okay, sometimes chaotic) handoff where I'm updating her on who's been in, what we're running low on, and any special requests for the afternoon crowd.

"The Tuesday regulars are in their usual spot," I'll say, "and we're almost out of oat milk." She nods, ties on her apron, and just like that, she's got it handled. This girl has turned into such an amazing GM - watching her confidence grow has been one of my favorite parts of this whole journey.

1:00 PM - The Great Transition

And now for my favorite magic trick - I literally walk from behind the espresso machine to the salon chair. One minute I'm pulling shots, the next I'm sectioning hair for a cut and color. It's like Clark Kent in a phone booth, except instead of a cape, I'm trading my apron for my shears.

The afternoon brings a completely different energy. My salon clients settle in while the cafe continues buzzing in the background. There's something so special about doing someone's hair while the sounds of community happen all around us. Conversations flow, laughter carries over from the cafe, and my clients get to be part of something bigger while getting pampered.

The Beautiful Chaos Continues

By 5 PM, I'm usually covered in hair color, coffee grounds, or both. My feet are tired, my brain is full, and I'm already thinking about tomorrow's prep. But here's the thing - I wouldn't trade this beautiful chaos for anything.

Because every Tuesday, I get to watch our community come together. I see the regular group supporting each other through whatever life is throwing at them. I watch Alexis handle the afternoon rush like a boss. I help someone feel amazing about their hair while they listen to the gentle hum of their neighbors working, laughing, and just being human together.

The Real Behind-the-Scenes Truth

Running a cafe and salon simultaneously is absolutely insane. Some days I forget to eat lunch. Some days I realize I've been wearing the same coffee-stained shirt for three days. Some days I question my life choices while scrubbing espresso machine parts at 8 PM.

But then Tuesday morning rolls around again, and I see those familiar faces walking through the door. I watch strangers become friends over shared tables. I help someone fall in love with their curls again. And I remember exactly why I created this beautiful, chaotic, perfectly imperfect space.

We're not just serving coffee and cutting hair - we're creating a place where people belong. Where your Tuesday feels a little brighter, where your story matters, and where community isn't just a buzzword painted on the wall. and thats

Behind the Scenes: A Day in the Life at Coterie (Or How I Survive Tuesday Chaos with Style)

So next Tuesday, when you see me running between the espresso machine and salon chair with slightly wild hair and a huge smile, just know - this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Come be part of our beautiful Tuesday chaos. We're saving a spot for you.

With love, caffeine, and probably some hair product, Ghiovanna ✨

P.S. - If you're one of our Tuesday regulars reading this, thank you for making Coterie feel like home. You're the heartbeat of this place.