Peopledelphia + Saxbys
If cafe culture has taught us anything, it’s that we live in a city of makers, dreamers, and self-starters who grind beyond the 9 to 5. So we teamed up with Philly’s most camera-savvy storyteller, Peopledelphia, to celebrate the side hustle that makes our city stand out.
Follow @peopledelphia & @saxbys_coffee on Instagram as we profile people who are making things happen in our city (and putting in the work at our cafes).
Our third interview is with our own C.E.O. (cafe executive officer) Dan Kinsinger. Dan is charge of our Drexel University cafe, which opened in 2014 as our first experiential learning cafe. As one of our busiest areas, Drexel provides Dan with a challenging, rewarding and unique experience to learn what it takes to run a business. Check out the interview below as Dan discusses how his team members drive him to succeed.
Tell us about you. What are you working on at Saxbys Drexel right now?
I am currently finishing up my second year at Drexel. Our cafe is 100% student run, and I lead a team of about 30 baristas who are all Drexel students. Using our hospitality skills (and great coffee), we work together to create a cool, welcoming atmosphere for our students, faculty, and neighbors to drink, study, and hang out.
There are so many opportunities available through Drexel’s five year co-op program. What made you pick this one?
When the Drexel cafe opened on campus in the fall of 2014, I walked in to the grand opening in the middle of the rush not expecting much more than a typical cafe experience. The host behind the bar greeted me with a warm smile and treated me like I’d been her friend for years. I gave her my name for the cup and quickly fell in love with my latte.
The next day I stopped in for coffee on my way to class again and the same host remembered my name from the day before and greeted me with a “Great to see you again, Dan!” I knew immediately that this was going to be something huge and that I needed to make myself a part of this one-of-a-kind culture as soon as possible, so I applied to be a barista. I was a biology major at the time, but it wasn’t much later that I switched into the school of business, and here we are today.
It didn’t take me long to see that this was a group of people that I wanted to be around, but there really isn’t much of a better co-op than working with your best friends and an unlimited supply of coffee.
What (or who) inspires you to be better?
My team at Drexel definitely inspires me to be better. Even when it feels like I’m having the toughest days, my team of baristas, who are all also balancing school, exams, sports, extracurriculars, greek life, and working about a million hours a week in the cafe all work with so much passion that it becomes impossible not to mimic that drive to excel.
How has Philly helped you find your footing? How has the city helped you succeed?
I’ve lived in and around the city my whole life. I was born in Philly and grew up in the suburbs, so when it came time for college, I took the incredible opportunities this city has to offer, and couldn’t see myself going anywhere else. Going to a Philly school became the obvious choice.
What would you change about Philadelphia?
Public transportation. Driving and using public transportation to get anywhere in the city takes forever. It’s a much safer bet to head out on foot or on your bike.
What do you wish more people knew about Philadelphia?
It is not possible to be bored in this city. There is always so much to do in Philly whether you’re looking for concerts, museums, night life, festivals, rollerskating, pop-up parks, or food. You can get a great meal in you no matter what section of the city you’re in, especially in the summertime.
What makes you the happiest?
Cleaning my room, for sure.
