Cactus Coffee Shop Hiring Program

Cactus Coffee Shop was born just a few short weeks before it's youngest original barista. Brooke Burnett started Cactus on June 1st, and welcomed her son Cyprus on the 21st. As a single mother of three, there weren't many options for a career path that allowed for children on board. So, she created one. With her son on her back and her girls underfoot, Brooke happily built a whole new life where kids and community could come together over coffee.

One thing we have learned over time is how to master the pivot. Even before COVID hit and the pandemic put a screeching halt to the world, Cactus Coffee Shop had been a brick and mortar, a food truck, as well as a series of smaller carts and trailers to cater events. We currently operate a brick and mortar shop and one coffee kiosk in Wimberley, Texas, as well as one in San Antonio with a kiosk opening in San Marcos in December.

With all this growth, Cactus Coffee never forgot how it began - with a single mother. Here at CCS we prioritize hiring single moms who need flexible schedules, understanding coworkers, and open arms to snuggle baby baristas that often tag along to work. We partner with the Hays Caldwell Women's Center to provide priority access to all new positions, knowing that women starting over after violence often need a lot of grace and accommodation while they transition. We also connect with a local recovery center to provide stable and sustainable employment for those who have completed the program and need to transition back into the workforce. We especially strive to hire those with criminal backgrounds who face limited options, to be able to provide them a stepping stone back into society.

This fundraiser is to help allow us to add four full time positions for single mothers and recovery clients. The funds will cover training, supplies and materials, health benefits, as well as a modest advertising budget for a successful launch. By offering our employees flexible schedules, living wages, and health benefits, we want to ensure we have the funds we need to successfully develop our business while providing local employment opportunities for at-risk populations. 

Brooke is not the only single mama on the team, Kasi Gravell joined the leadership team this spring as the Chief Operations Officer and co-owner, with her teenage daughter coming on board as a barista as well. Kasi handles the day to day operations, scheduling, ordering, and all those endless tasks that every mom seems to manage with ease. You can often find Kasi sneaking in snuggles from our barista Heather's infant son while she works the espresso machine to pull shots and sling 'spro like she was raised on it. Brooke's 10 year old daughter Charlie often accompanies her to events making iced and hot lattes to the delight of guests. Cactus Coffee is currently exclusively women-powered, with high school grads, college students, single mamas and their kiddos on board. Every team member works with passion and gratitude to be able to bring a moment of delight into every customer's day!