Finding Your People: Tyler Hubble

Tyler Hubble

Barista - Jojo’s Espresso

Tyler Hubble has worked as a barista at JoJo’s Espresso for a couple of years, first in JoJo’s coffee trailer until they opened their brick and mortar shop in November of 2022. Tyler shares his love for coffee, his passion for connecting with his customers, and all that he’s learned working in the hospitality industry. 

How did you get started working at JoJo’s? 

My wife loves sending me recommendations for things to check out around Memphis. One summer, she was out of town, and she sent me an Instagram post showing the JoJo’s Espresso trailer and suggested I check it out. So I did, and I met the owner, Taylor, and the store manager, Kyle. I could tell they were real coffee people – they knew a lot about coffee. So I kept coming back. Eventually, when I was transitioning out of my previous job, they offered me a job as a barista working in the trailer. When the shop opened up, I started working there. 

Have you worked in the hospitality industry previously? 

I’ve worked in other restaurants and I've worked in wineries. I run my own business working as a personal trainer, which is also very customer-oriented.I think many people's first jobs are something in the restaurant industry. You start out as a waiter or a bus boy, and you work your way up. I have been in the hospitality industry since I was old enough to work. 

What advice would you give to somebody who's coming into the industry for the first time or who is looking to move up in the industry? 

Providing really good service is a skill. And it's very unlikely that someone's going to be good at it just starting out, because that skill requires practice and it requires connecting with people and actually caring about customers. A big part of developing that skill is working at a place you enjoy. It’s very community-oriented. That’s part of what I like about JoJo’s. We’re not rushed, we have time to connect with customers, which creates an environment in which it’s very easy to be warm and friendly. 

What are your favorite Memphis attractions that you like to recommend to people?

If I'm going to another coffee place, my wife and I love to go downtown to Vice & Virtue Coffee in the Arrive Hotel. It's such a fun, eclectic environment. It almost feels like you’re hanging out in a big living room. We also love Elwood’s Shack, which is a very hole-in-the-wall barbecue place. Besides that, anytime a new place opens up, I'm eager to go try it. I like to know what the environment is like, and what’s on the menu, and whether the staff is nice. All that stuff is really important to any business in the hospitality industry. 

Tell us a little more about your relationship with guests at JoJo’s. 

At JoJo’s, there is a small community aspect. I generally get to know all of the regulars to the point where I can ask their opinion on something, or if I need to ask someone a favor or need help -– there is now a relationship with some regulars that extends beyond coffee or our interactions in the shop. Working at JoJo’s has given me an easy way to get out and make more friends. As an adult, most people spend most of their time working, so the people you work with or see on a daily basis end up being your friends. That’s probably one of my favorite things about working here. 

Thank you, Tyler, for reminding us to slow down and connect with the people we see each day!