Cat & Cloud Podcast
Cat & Cloud Coffee www.catandcloud.com
Taking Care of the Pack w/Leah Wolff in HR - Ep #445
Summary:
In this episode, the team sits down with Head of HR Leah Wolff to explore what it really looks like to build people, culture, and leadership inside a growing coffee company. Leah shares her journey from starting as a concierge during the pandemic to stepping into an executive leadership role, offering a candid look at how growth happens through ownership, feedback, and continuous learning. The conversation digs into the difference between traditional HR and a more human, culture-driven approach—covering hiring, training, communication, and the realities of managing a transient workforce. Along the way, they unpack how strong values, intentional onboarding, and honest conversations can shape not just better employees, but better people.
Chapters:
00:00 Meet Leah Wolf and Casey Ryan
04:30 Leah’s Journey from Concierge to Head of HR
10:00 Knowing When You’re Ready to Lead
15:30 Feedback, Directness, and Learning to Communicate
21:00 Orientation, Training, and Setting the Tone
27:00 Hiring for Values and Cultural Fit
33:00 The Challenge of Staffing a Cafe Business
39:00 How Cat & Cloud Built Better HR Systems
45:00 Advice for Small Business Owners Hiring Their Team
51:00 Team Chemistry, Standards, and Accountability
57:00 Why Clear Expectations Matter
1:01:30 Gratitudes and Final Thoughts
Cat & Cloud:
Instagram www.instagram.com/catcloudcoffee/
Webstore www.catandcloud.com/
Roasters Choice Subscription www.catandcloud.com/collections/subscriptions
Wholesale Partners! Interested in serving our coffee at your business? Learn more about our Partner Program https://catandcloud.com/wholesale
Links –
The Truth! Colombia Truji y Angelita Thermal Shock Natural
https://catandcloud.com/products/colombia-truji-y-angelita-thermal-shock-natural
Jared Truby Interview
https://youtu.be/KaTFcHxjumk?si=wlTAbJ7ZCvZleM7B
Jared Truby Zine
https://www.flipsnack.com/965BBFD6AED/letter-to-young-coffee-owners-issue-with-jared-truby
Cat & Cloud Coffee was founded in 2016 by three friends who believe experiences and connections shape our lives. Former barista champions and lifelong coffee professionals, they envisioned a better way to do business and set out to create a values-driven organization that put culture first.
Our mission is to inspire connection by creating memorable experiences. Whether it's with guests in our 4 retail locations in Santa Cruz, our team members, or our wholesale partners across the country, we strive to leave everyone better than we found them.
The Cat & Cloud Podcast is a space for us to share our experiences and adventures in coffee and business in hopes of inspiring more people to create culture and values-driven organizations.
Hosted by Chris Baca and Jared Truby
Produced by Casey Ryan
April 2026
