33 October Café in The United States

Team 72 Poster

Team Reflection

Our AIM2Flourish story centered on October Café in Chicago, a business dedicated to reducing waste and promoting sustainability. During our interview with co-owner Audrey, we were truly inspired by their ethical practices—from sourcing local ingredients to offering sustainable food choices. October Café not only addresses environmental concerns but also fosters a positive social impact by creating a supportive workplace, collaborating with local businesses, and cultivating a welcoming atmosphere for all.

Their operations align with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (United Nations (n.d.)), specifically SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). This commitment to sustainability was evident in their fully vegan menu, which promotes healthier eating and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production (The New York Times (2023, July 22).

Writing this story prompted us to reflect on the broader implications of companies’ contributions to social and environmental challenges. We critically examined the motivations behind corporate sustainability efforts—are they genuine or merely greenwashing? While our studies emphasized sustainability and accountability, witnessing October Café’s mission in action provided us with a profound understanding of these concepts. The café’s approach exemplifies the “triple bottom line” framework, demonstrating that a focus on profits, people, and the planet can yield meaningful, positive community impacts (Be Organised (n.d.)). Our interview reinforced the idea that businesses, regardless of size, can be catalysts for positive social change when driven by purpose.

As we collectively reflected on our experience, we recognized its influence on our professional aspirations. We are now more motivated to seek out or create workplaces that embody similar principles, prioritizing ethics, responsibility, and sustainability. This experience has strengthened our belief that achieving the triple bottom line is possible and that we can contribute to that mission. This project not only reinforced our existing knowledge but also challenged us to view sustainability from new perspectives. As a small business, October Café exceeded our expectations for what ethical and accountable businesses should aspire to be.

We are committed to applying the lessons learned about ethical and sustainable practices in our future careers. We are energized to challenge conventional profit-only mindsets and advocate for inclusive, accountable workplaces. This experience has sparked a collective goal: to continue exploring sustainable business practices through knowledge sharing, relevant courses, and certifications. Additionally, we feel empowered to be more conscious consumers, supporting businesses that contribute positively to the environment and community. Throughout this process, we connected theory to practice, recognizing that strategies suitable for multinational companies may not apply to small businesses and vice versa. Our coursework helped us develop essential soft skills, which facilitated smooth collaboration on this project. The AIM2Flourish experience allowed us to practice our communication skills and engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, open-mindedness, and empathy in professional settings.

Our team found success in holding regular meetings to maintain accountability and effectively delegate tasks based on our strengths. While there were some scheduling challenges due to time zone differences, we resolved them through clear communication via email, ensuring that everyone stayed informed and engaged.

Individual Reflections

Colin – Overall our Aim2Flourish COIL project went extremely well and included limited bumps in the road to completing our tasks. Effective communication was crucial, and while there were moments of misunderstanding, our commitment to open dialogue helped us overcome these hurdles. Managing multiple time zones was initially daunting, yet our consistent scheduling of meetings every Friday kept us aligned and motivated. The extensive email chain served as a vital resource, ensuring that everyone stayed informed and engaged. Conducting the interview was an enriching experience, as it allowed us to connect more deeply with our project’s objectives. I made it a point to keep my teammates informed about the insights we gathered, which not only enhanced our discussions but also fostered a sense of shared ownership in our progress. Overall, our shared goal of completing the Aim2Flourish COIL project on time fostered a strong sense of teamwork. I appreciated how, despite the occasional bumps in the road, we maintained a respectful and supportive environment that allowed us to thrive as a team.

Matt – The Aim2Flourish COIL project went as smoothly as we all hoped it would. As there were no alarming challenges we faced when it came to completing our tasks and assignments, a big hurdle we had to face was finding a time when we could all meet. This was immediately challenging as we were juggling three different time zones and each of us had different schedules and obligations, but through clear communication, we figured out a time and day that satisfied all. Through these weekly meetings and constant communication via email, our group was always clear on what needed to be done and the group going in an aligned direction. Through open communication and email, we were able to mitigate any potential challenges, such as miscommunication or task delays. This project was very rewarding as we respected each other’s contributions and maintained a strong sense of accountability throughout the project. Overall, the Aim2Flourish project was very rewarding as it highlighted the importance of adaptability, communication, and teamwork, which we all expressed allowing the group to work effectively.

Laura – Our AIM2Flourish COIL project went extremely well with little to no issues or challenges. We maintained strong communication through an email chain which allowed us to solve any problems that occurred throughout. The main problem was figuring out times for the meetings as we had different schedules and different time zones to account for. Having the meetings enabled us to find the right time to meet, to divide the work between everyone, and helped us to meet deadlines that were set. It allowed us to track progress, share insights, reduce misunderstandings, and keep us accountable. All of these were very important as we were working as a team so if someone didn’t communicate when they couldn’t do something or haven’t yet, it would’ve affected what we could do that week as we would’ve been waiting for other people. When potential problems started to emerge, through effective communication, we were able to adapt and work as a team to come to a solution. This project allowed me to develop my soft skills, e.g., communication, adaptability, teamwork, and time management, as I was working with people from different countries. Overall, we kept a respectful and supportive environment that enabled us to work well together and achieve the goal of finishing the AIM2Flourish project.

Klaudia – Our AIM2Flourish COIL project on October Café was a great experience with only a few small challenges. We were able to achieve this despite some moments of misunderstanding because we talked things out to help each other. At first, managing many time zones was challenging, but we managed to make it work by keeping to a schedule that worked for everyone. We stayed on task and organized weekly meetings and emails. If something was missed, we made sure to inform the other group members. This prevented misunderstandings, allowed us to divide up the work, and kept us on track. When issues came up, talking openly helped us find solutions. We learned a lot about how to properly implement sustainability from our interview with the café’s co-owner. This project helped me build valuable skills such as adaptability, teamwork, and time management. Despite the scheduling difficulties, we maintained a happy and encouraging environment and completed everything. It showed me that everything is possible if we work together and communicate effectively.

Dario- Working on the AIM2Flourish project was a great learning experience. It taught me a lot about teamwork, good communication, and how businesses can make a positive impact. Managing different time zones and schedules was tricky, but regular meetings and staying connected through email helped us stay organized and work through any issues. Interviewing the co-owner of October Café was inspiring, as we saw how they include sustainability in every part of their business. This project also helped me build important skills like time management, adaptability, and teamwork. I learned how clear and respectful communication makes it easier to reach team goals. Overall, the experience motivated me to use these lessons about CSR and teamwork in future jobs.

References

Be Organised (n.d.). Triple Bottom Line. Retrieved October 21, 2024, from https://be-organized.ch/inspiration/triple-bottom-line/

The New York Times (2023, July 22). Save the Planet, Put Down that Hamburger. Retrieved October 21, 2024, from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/climate/diet-vegan-meat-emissions.html#:~:text=Researchers%20examined%20the%20diets%20of,greenhouse%20gases%20than%20meat%2Deaters.

United Nations (n.d.). The 17 Goals | Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations. Retrieved October 21, 2024, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals