In an industry known for high turnover and low wages, one small coffee shop in Aberdeen, Maryland, is doing something radical: it’s giving women not just management roles—but ownership. At The Screaming Bean, a coffee shop in Harford County, Maryland, two former baristas are stirring success by shattering the glass ceiling. They’ve been promoted to management and now hold a percentage of ownership in the company’s newest location. Their journey isn’t just about coffee; it’s about rewriting the rules of what empowerment in the workplace actually looks like.
While most companies dangle promotions like carrots—often offering little more than a new title and a slightly bigger paycheck—The Screaming Bean is breaking the mold. “We didn’t just want to hand someone a manager title and hope they stuck around,” says Martin Grams, owner and founder. “We wanted to invest in people who already saw this place like it was theirs. That kind of ownership mindset deserved actual ownership.”
The decision wasn’t made lightly. These young women had already proven themselves, not just by clocking in on time or hitting sales goals, but by taking real initiative long before anyone asked them to. Business owners often recognize that employees vary greatly in attitude and drive. Some are there just to collect a paycheck, while others bounce from job to job based on convenience or interest. Not everyone fits the same mold. But those with true ambition and a strong work ethic are different—they’re not just helpful, they’re the backbone of any business with plans to grow. For Tayler Blansfield and Kaylie Sprissler, the title of barista wasn’t just a position—it was a purpose they embraced with drive and dedication.
To clarify, being a barista is more than just making lattes. It’s a demanding, high-pressure role that requires speed, memory, multitasking, emotional intelligence, and unshakable grace under fire. From opening the store before sunrise to steaming milk during the morning rush, cleaning equipment between customers, remembering dozens of personalized orders, restocking shelves, handling food prep, resolving customer complaints with a smile, mentoring new hires, and closing the register at night—baristas do it all. They are brand ambassadors, problem-solvers, therapists, and team leaders rolled into one. And far too often, all that effort goes unnoticed. But at The Screaming Bean, that invisible labor is seen for what it is: the foundation of a thriving business—and more than worthy of ownership. They’re not just running the show; they’re building the future of the brand. And it’s not because they asked for more—it’s because the company noticed what most others overlook: potential already in action.
“I have said many times that today’s cashiers are tomorrow’s managers,” says Grams. “The employees are encouraged to make tweaks and improvements to the job and given full autonomy to make decisions for what is best for the company. Most of the employees are trusted with real responsibility because I do not believe you wait to see if someone’s ‘ready’—you empower them and then they show you what they are capable of.”
“We didn’t promote Kaylie and Tayler just because they asked,” Grams adds. “We promoted them because they were already doing the job—and doing it with heart, vision, and grit. The only thing they lacked was the title and the ownership. So I fixed that. And we since promoted two more employees at our flagship location into positions of shift lead and manager.”
“I’d have to say before I even started at the café I already knew if I became employed there that I would 100% be leading a vision,” says Tayler Blansfield. “I met a group of people that were hard-working and dedicated to their cause before the doors even opened. We want people to continue to support small local. Everyone starts out small. Everyone has big dreams so to make those dreams a reality you have to have your community’s support to make it happen.”
In an era where many companies still hesitate to place women—especially young women—in positions of power, The Screaming Bean is proving how shortsighted that is. For these newly minted co-owners, that success isn’t theoretical. They aren’t just holding keys to the shop; they’re shaping its future, driving its culture, and building the next chapter of the brand from the ground up. From lattes to leadership, they’ll now receive a share of profits, have input in decision-making, and be instrumental in launching the brand’s new location on the Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Ownership in a business, especially for front-line workers, is almost unheard of. Most corporations keep equity and decision-making in the hands of executives. Even when workers are praised or promoted, the rewards often stop at a small pay bump or a hollow “employee of the month” plaque. At The Screaming Bean, however, ownership is more than symbolic. It’s a real stake in profits, decisions, and direction—a move that’s almost revolutionary in the food service world.
“The Coffee industry is constantly evolving, with a growing demand for unique experiences and sustainable practices,” says Kaylie Sprissler. “My ideas for the future of The Screaming Bean would be: One, for us to implement Waste-Upcycling solutions. For example, collaborating with local farmers and gardens to donate our coffee grounds for compost rather than just throwing them away. Coffee grounds do wonders for a garden! Secondly, I’d like to go beyond just taste. Coffee should be an experience. I’d like to introduce design elements that engage all the senses, including customizable mugs that react to temperature.”
This business model doesn’t just uplift individuals; it challenges an entire system. By giving women the tools, trust, and tangible investment they need to lead, The Screaming Bean isn’t just building better coffee shops—it’s building a blueprint for what true empowerment can look like in small businesses everywhere. It’s a statement that says: We don’t just trust your labor—we trust your leadership.
The hope is that other business owners will follow suit. As the second Screaming Bean location prepares to open on the Aberdeen Proving Ground—a military base where the two new co-owners will oversee operations—it stands as a living example of what happens when you believe in people early, treat them with dignity, and back it up with more than words.
Because at the end of the day, empowerment isn’t a slogan on a wall or a trending hashtag. It’s what happens when a young woman is handed not just the keys to the shop—but the keys to her future.
For more about The Screaming Bean, visit their website and stay connected via Facebook.
