Working -- Desiree Engle

-- Story by June Casagrande; photo by [tk]

SHE IS

Here just to wake you, not to break you.

ON HER OWN

That’s the motto of maverick barista Desiree Engle, who actually runs

a business within a business: the coffee bar at the Juice Cafe in Corona

del Mar. As a one-woman show, the 34-year-old Newport Beach resident sets

her own hours, menu and prices. She likes to keep prices low, she said,

one of the reasons her business consists almost exclusively of regulars.

“I know pretty much everyone and their drink order,” Engle said.

“Basically my customers just come in and put their money on the counter

and take their cups.”

HER CUP RUNNETH OVER

Engle’s success happened on the heels of a not-so-successful

experience. A long-term stint working for another coffee company had

ended suddenly and unpleasantly. Estelle and Bill Roberts, owners of the

Juice Cafe, thought Engle had gotten a raw deal. At the same time, they

saw a solution that could benefit everyone. They invited Engle to set up

her own coffee stand inside their already successful business. Nearly a

year later, everyone agrees the idea was a hit, including the many

customers who followed Engle to her new digs.

“I call Estelle and Bill Mom and Dad,” Engle said. “They’re like my

parents now.”

PEOPLE WHO LIKE PEOPLE

But even these surrogate parents say they’re in awe of Engle’s real

parents. Engle grew up in Sacramento as one of five adopted children.

“We’re all different colors, different races,” Engle said, “It was a

good way to grow up.”

Such strong relationships are a part of her success today. It’s no

problem to remember that customer Dr. Mike drinks nonfat lattes with one

Equal or that Jim comes in before he’s even officially awake yet. It’s

not hard to remember things about people when you genuinely like them and

are interested in them, she said.

“I know a lot of people say it, but it’s really true with me: I’m a

down-to-the-bone people person,” she said.

NEVER JUST A DRIP

But at the end of the day, which for Engle starts in the 5 a.m. hour

and wraps up about 1 p.m., coffee is what it’s all about. Engle takes

full advantage of her entrepreneurial freedom to make sure she’s serving

the stuff people love.

Her Mayan Mocha is a favorite, made special with secret spices.

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, which Engle calls “the best in the world,”

is another of her specialties. And, she said, you can’t beat a good

Yoguccino -- an ice-blended coffee concoction that uses yogurt in place

of more fattening ingredients.

“I get to make the drinks I want, set the hours I want. I have all

that freedom,” she said. “It’s great to be able to have that kind of

freedom.”