By Kaity Coisman
Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY – Lisa Pavlowich has many hats that she puts on in her day-to-day life, including barista, equine massage therapist and massage therapist for people.
You may have seen her, as she is a seven-year employee of the Starbucks on Auto Plaza Way and Main Street in Green Bay.
She recently took a trip to Washington D.C. as a partner of Starbucks to talk about her experiences with the business, and how it has allowed her to find joy in her part-time work at 66 years old and connect her to her community.
Lisa is lovingly called the “grandmother of the store” by her coworkers due to her ability to share her wisdom with customers and employees.
When asked what her favorite part of her job is, she said, “Really, the people, the people I get to meet. I will often be in the drive-through, and I love schmoozing with the people.”
Pavlowich continued to tell stories of experiences she has had with customers.
“The other day one of my customers came through and I was so focused on something. And when I turned around and it was him, I was like, ‘It’s you!’ and he grabbed my hands and was like, ‘It’s okay, you were zoned in!’ and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh!’ and right away I was looking for his dogs, so that was very cute,” reminisced Pavlowich.
She also talked about conversing with a young couple on their first pregnancy, including all of the fears and uncertainties that come with being a new parent.
One of Pavlowich’s common sayings is “we were born with two ears and one mouth for a reason” when she asks the customers and employees to share their daily lives with her.
Pavlowich also works at her farm, Crane Haven Acres.
The 50-acre property is self-run by Lisa, but she finds immense joy in taking care of her animals, even going as far as to give gentle massages to the resident chipmunks.
Besides her morning run-ins with her smaller clients, she has also worked with warthogs, tortoises, reindeer, horses, pigs and some other furry friends.
Lisa encountered some of these animals volunteering at the reforestation zoo.
Lisa also wanted to massage the reforestation zoo’s resident moose but didn’t have the opportunity at the time.
Pavlowich was inspired to build her farm from fond memories from when she was a child visiting her grandparents.
Forty years later, Pavlowich said she is still enjoying the peace and quiet that Crane Haven Acres provides her away from the city.
“You don’t have to deal with the craziness that people have to live in the city. I would go berserk. It’s just so noisy,” she said.
Pavlowich will often invite her Starbucks coworkers to visit the farm and learn the ropes, engage with the animals and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Beyond Lisa’s four jobs she also volunteers knitting blankets, mittens, hats and more with Knit 4 Kids; a group started by Lisa and a friend. Knit 4 Kids has recently donated knitted blankets to area hospice veterans through a group called Unity.
Through her various jobs and volunteering, Lisa has found ways to give back to the community and show her love for those from all walks of life, ranging in her furry massage clients to her regulars at Starbucks.