I was Blank Street's first employee. I almost said no to the drink that changed the company.
Blank Street's first employee says he almost rejected blueberry matcha — a beverage that ended up transforming the company.
Jai Lott, Blank Street's inaugural employee, admits he would have vetoed the blueberry matcha drink that catapulted the coffee chain to success. The 41-year-old, who cut his teeth in the coffee industry during his teenage years in Australia, then moved to the US to join Bluestone Lane, eventually becoming Blank Street's first employee.
Lott reflects on the missteps and triumphs of his career, revealing that the blueberry matcha was a turning point for the company. Launched in a bid for innovation, the drink challenged the status quo and altered the company's development framework. Lott emphasizes that spending significant time with colleagues is crucial when building a business, and he employs a "no knucklehead" policy to gauge potential hires.
During interviews, Lott looks for signs of genuine friendship and hospitality, such as the candidate pushing their chair in and cleaning up after themselves. He shares this anecdote to underscore the importance of interpersonal dynamics in a work environment.
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