EAST LANSING, Mich. — BIGGBY® COFFEE has a purpose that they exist to help support people in building a life they love, and for one owner/operator she lives her life through this purpose. MaryAnne MacIntosh, a multi-unit owner/operator with BIGGBY® COFFEE sells the world’s best coffee and runs four successful BIGGBY® COFFEE locations, but more than that she uses her businesses as a way to help those in need.
The first time MaryAnne MacIntosh walked into a BIGGBY® COFFEE in DeWitt, Michigan, she was feeling lost and trying to find her calling in life. In that coffee shop she found it—she was meant to help people. This coffee shop, which was unintimidating, fun, and welcoming, helped her find her way in life. As the friendly baristas engaged her in conversation, people laughed and talked as they drank their coffee, and the aroma of coffee swirled around her she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. As she continued to return and visited more BIGGBY® COFFEE shops, she had without a doubt found her calling, and it was BIGGBY® COFFEE. Through BIGGBY® COFFEE she wanted to help people, to make people happy, to love people.
As the staff at that DeWitt, Michigan, BIGGBY® COFFEE listened to her stories and lifted her up, the store owner, Deb Kirchen, helped MacIntosh realize this was her dream. She was meant to help people feel good and she was going to use BIGGBY® COFFEE as the vessel to do it. Through Kirchen’s encouragement, MacIntosh opened her first store in 2013 with the dream of lifting others up.
Today, as the owner/operator of four BIGGBY® COFFEE locations—two in Traverse City, one in Cadillac, and one in Alma, Michigan—MacIntosh uses her coffee shops as a way of encouraging those who are struggling and bring a glow of positivity to those around her. Through fundraisers and community events, MacIntosh strives to be an advocate for those who are suffering illness or need help finding their way, much in the way she felt years ago in a similar BIGGBY® COFFEE.
While each store runs different fundraisers and participates in different events, one thing rings true through all of MacIntosh’s efforts: it’s all about the community. Her goal is to help those in her community—to uplift each and every person that walks through her doors, and even those that don’t. Through her BIGGBY® COFFEE locations MacIntosh is able to reach many more people than she would be able to on her own.
“The reason I picked BIGGBY® [as a business]…is the standard they have for how we help everybody. I love that BIGGBY® is so involved in the community so we can give back. With a franchise it’s the name and the brand, and BIGGBY® COFFEE is my vessel to help people in the community.”
Whether it’s the small vendor events she hosts in her stores as a way for local women to sell their products on the second Saturday of each month, participating in Project Christmas in Cadillac, or donating tip funds to those in need, MacIntosh and her teams strive daily to uplift the people in their communities.
MacIntosh noted that the community members are not the only ones benefiting from this, however. She said that involving her baristas and store managers in this community service allows them to think about how they can impact people and help lives. She said that it allows them to look at life a little differently and see how they can have a change in their communities.
Further in her stores, MacIntosh tries to hire those that may have difficulties in the job market. MacIntosh welcomes local high school students with disabilities to work in her Alma and Cadillac coffee shops one day a week as a way to earn job experience and skills that will help them get jobs beyond high school. She also has hired many individuals in the community as a chance to support themselves and strives to create an environment in her stores where everyone is welcome. Through her stores, she’s able to give those that may struggle to find work the opportunity to build their resumes while serving their communities.
MacIntosh said if there was one thing she could tell the communities she’s in it would be: “I am her to support [you]. If [you] need something, I’m the person to help!” MacIntosh further added that she does not turn anyone away that asks for help.
BIGGBY® COFFEE is honored to have MacIntosh running four stores and enveloping her communities in love. As a coffee company, BIGGBY® COFFEE strives to make people their focus—not just serving them the world’s best coffee but supporting customers individually and helping their communities to grow. MacIntosh is a shining example of why BIGGBY® COFFEE exists—to love you.
You can visit any one of MacIntosh’s stores at 1596 Wright Ave, Alma, MI; 1818 N Mitchell St, Cadillac, MI; 1535 S Division St, Traverse City, MI; or 748 Munson Ave, Suite 3, Traverse City, MI.
