- Hiking
- Wildlife/Nature Photography
- Creative Writing
- Herbalism
Phalan Higgins
Columbia,SC
Summary
Dedicated and motivated professional with over a decade of experience in customer service, actively seeking opportunities beyond the food and beverage industries to better support a young family. Extensive knowledge and commitment to excellence are demonstrated through a proven track record of maintaining high customer satisfaction and contributing to overall company success. Recognized as a solid team player with a approachable demeanor, specializing in quality, speed, and process optimization. Committed to developing new skills, cultivating partnerships, and driving business success with an articulate and methodical approach.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Barista
Curiosity Coffee
04.2025 - Current
- Trained new employees, sharing knowledge and expertise of coffees, teas, and merchandise.
- Pleasantly interacted with customers during hectic periods to promote fun, positive environment.
- Maintained regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
- Trained new team members with positive reinforcement and respectful, encouraging coaching.
- Operated espresso machines and commercial coffee brewers to create beverages.
- Listened carefully to customer requests and created personalized, delicious beverages, which improved sales.
- Created wide variety of hot and cold drinks in average shifts with consistently positive customer satisfaction scores.
- Prevented infections and maintained store professionalism by cleaning and sanitizing work areas daily.
- Used POS system to accurately enter orders and process payments.
- Minimized spoilage with proper use of first-in-first-out stock procedures.
Food Service Team Leader
Target
04.2024 - 04.2025
- Oversaw daily operations of both Starbucks and Pizza Hut departments.
- Monitored team adherence to DHEC and Steritech cleanliness and food safety guidelines.
- Troubleshooting cash registers and computer systems experiencing slow-downs, crashes and data loss.
- Monitored temperatures on serving line and refrigerator equipment to promote proper food storage and safety.
- Identified and implemented enhancements to customer service and communication to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Evaluated procedures and policies to achieve efficient and effective operations.
- Assisted with daily operations by reviewing inventory levels, monitoring delivery of supplies, inspecting food preparation and orienting team members on procedures, store cleanliness and new items or promos.
- Prepared weekly assigned tasks to staff to maintain organized shift and smooth operations.
- Addressed and resolved customer service issues to establish trust and increase satisfaction.
- Coordinating with vendors to address equipment failure and maintenance.
Starbucks Barista
Target
08.2017 - 04.2024
- Listened carefully to customer requests and created personalized beverages, which improved sales.
- Maintained regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
- Cleaned counters, machines, utensils, and seating areas daily.
- Pleasantly interacted with customers during hectic periods to promote fun, positive environment.
- Trained new employees, sharing knowledge and expertise of coffees, teas, and merchandise.
- Assisted other departments in store when necessary such as stocking, cashier, or collecting carts
- Repaired minor issues and maintained espresso equipment and coffee machines for smooth functioning.
- Elevated customer loyalty by using strong communication abilities to resolve customer problems.
- Took on leadership duties when leadership position was vacant, such as ordering product and editing schedules.
- Maintained and operated espresso machines, blenders, commercial coffee brewers, coffee pots, and other equipment.
Starbucks Barista
Kroger
04.2017 - 08.2017
- Operating cash register
- Adhering to DHEC and QUASA cleaning and sanitation standards
- Breaking down and organizing truck orders
- Rotating and restocking materials.
- Listened carefully to customer requests and created personalized, delicious beverages, which improved sales.
- Maintained regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
- Cleaned counters, machines, utensils, and seating areas daily.
- Trained new employees, sharing knowledge and expertise of coffees, teas, and merchandise.
- Controlled line and crowd with quick, efficient service.
Server Assistant
Prohibition
05.2016 - 04.2017
- Making sure servers have everything necessary to properly serve tables
- Assisted with dining room set up prior to and after service period.
- Bussed tables between courses and load and unloaded trays to expedite tasks.
- Kept close eye on customers to quickly spot leaving guests and clear tables for future patrons.
- Maintained knowledge of current menu items, garnishes, ingredients and preparation methods to promptly answer customer questions.
- Collecting glasses to clean during night-club service.
- Delivered customer orders promptly and with attention to accuracy and satisfaction.
- Greeted customers warmly to provide exceptional customer service.
Airport Janitor
IH Services
06.2016 - 08.2016
- Kept building spaces premises clean inside and outside.
- Responded immediately to calls from personnel to clean up spills and wet floors.
- Mixed, used, and properly stored hazardous chemical cleaners to reduce risk of injury or illness.
- Inspected facility and grounds and picked up trash or other debris impacting appearance or movement flows between spaces.
- Maintained floor cleaning and waxing equipment.
- Followed procedures for use of chemical cleaners and power equipment to prevent damage to floors.
- Maintained clean and comfortable environments in commercial buildings by vacuuming, cleaning windows, and dusting.
Server Assistant
Old Village Post House
09.2015 - 03.2016
- Assisted with dining room set up prior to and after service period.
- Bussed tables between courses and load and unloaded trays to expedite tasks.
- Maintained knowledge of current menu items, garnishes, ingredients and preparation methods to promptly answer customer questions.
- Collaborated with other staff members to maintain high-level customer satisfaction.
- Maintained clean, safe and organized work environment to safeguard servers and patrons.
- Greeted customers warmly to provide exceptional customer service.
- Delivered customer orders promptly and with attention to accuracy and satisfaction.
Barista/Cashier
Dunkin Donuts
10.2013 - 05.2015
- Pleasantly interacted with customers during hectic periods to promote fun, positive environment.
- Maintained and operated espresso machines, blenders, commercial coffee brewers, coffee pots, and other equipment.
- Controlled line and crowd with quick, efficient service.
- Maintained regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
- Trained new employees, sharing knowledge and expertise of coffees, teas, and merchandise.
- Cleaned counters, machines, utensils, and seating areas daily.
- Listened carefully to customer requests and created personalized, delicious beverages, which improved sales.
- Restocked display cases with attractive arrangements to promote specialty food items like bagels and muffins.
- Packaged bagels, muffins and other food items for customer purchase.
- Used POS system to accurately enter orders and process payments.
Education
Media Arts Production - Information Technology
Trident Tech
North Charleston, South CarolinaHigh School Diploma -
Goose Creek High School
Goose Creek, South Carolina06-2014
Skills
- Customer Service
- Paperwork Processing
- Information Security
- Complaint resolution
- Data Entry
- Delivery Scheduling
- Computer Proficiency
- Cash Handling
- Team Development
- Critical Thinking
- POS system operation
- ~35 WPM Type Speed
Interests
Timeline
Barista
Curiosity Coffee
04.2025 - Current
Food Service Team Leader
Target
04.2024 - 04.2025
Starbucks Barista
Target
08.2017 - 04.2024
Starbucks Barista
Kroger
04.2017 - 08.2017
Airport Janitor
IH Services
06.2016 - 08.2016
Server Assistant
Prohibition
05.2016 - 04.2017
Server Assistant
Old Village Post House
09.2015 - 03.2016
Barista/Cashier
Dunkin Donuts
10.2013 - 05.2015
Media Arts Production - Information Technology
Trident Tech
High School Diploma -
Goose Creek High School