Sower has been working at Barefoots Joe since the beginning of her sophomore year.
“Mostly, it was just the environment of Barefoots that was always something I was drawn to because it’s just a really neat space that’s kind of unique.”Sower said. “So I just applied kind of like, ‘this would be like the coolest job, so I might as well’, not expecting to get it at all, and so when I did I was very happy.”
Working alongside the Barefoots leadership team as well as her fellow baristas are a couple of Sower’s favorite things about the job.
“Having the influence of Joy Moore has really been a really great thing,” Sower said. “She’s just a great leader and a great friend as well.”
Sower says she is constantly impressed by Joy Moore, director of Barefoots Joe, and the leadership team.
“[Barefoots Joe] is a very active, working place,” Sower said. “Joy and the leadership team are constantly trying to adapt to what students need or reinstating what our vision is; always coming up with kind of new ways to do things, new events to do, different things like that.”
According to Sower, the team of baristas works smoothly together and desires to get drinks prepared quickly but also prepared well. Even when the baristas work by themselves, Sower says they are all considerate of who comes after them by keeping the work space clean as well as encouraging one another.
“If you work the same shift with someone for a few weeks, you’re really good at just like moving around them and there’s a great flow that you can easily get with the team,” Sower said.
Brightening people’s day and creating an inclusive, comfortable environment is also something very important to Sower about her job.
Open mic nights, as well as the more relaxed concerts, have been enjoyable experiences for Sower. Some of her favorite shows include Ben Solee, Antrim Dells, Seryn and The Flying Colours.
“The bands that we get are really impressive. I don’t really even know how we come up with the ones that we do,” Sower said. “It is without fail that the bands just always love us and feel just so welcome because we treat them so well.”
Sower said the team strives to treat visiting bands with extreme hospitality and kindness.
“That’s something that is a part of Union’s culture here that’s also part of Barefoots culture,” Sower said. “We just want to incorporate our faith in everything that we do, even in small things. So craftsmanship in making and good drink or just being considerate of people’s needs. That really is the driving force behind Barefoots.”
Sower’s emphasis in the art program is ceramics, which is something that she also enjoys as a hobby. She recently began working with clay and started throwing on the wheel this semester.
“[Ceramics] is something that is really challenging but it feels good to kind of work towards something,” Sower said. “I really find just working with my hands has been something that I’ve loved about clay and then I also like about Barefoots.”
Sower plans to get married this summer and then continue in completing her degree for graduation in Spring 2016. With a minor in psychology, she has the option to attend art therapy school. Her hope, however, is to have a career as a potter.
“[Pottery] is something that I’m really passionate about and really trying to pursue and I think it’s possible, people do it, so we’ll see,” Sower said.
