Repetition Coffee • Meet the Team
AMY POPE
Coffee recommendation: COLOMBIA /// BEST CUP #6
Owner / Boss
After traveling and living abroad for 10 years, REPETITION COFFEE'S founder Amy’s Midwest roots lured her back to Kansas; starting a coffee business was the sum of all her experiences. She had to figure out how to continue traveling globally while working to create social change. Throw her in a big city or a deep jungle any day of the week, she’s up for the challenge. With a master’s degree in international diplomacy with a focus on trade, her passion for coffee and the opportunity to work towards a transparent supply chain helped make the decision to start REPETITION. She works closely with the producers and farmers at source, and forms genuine friendships with her kind, thoughtful demeanor. The cupping table is her Zen zone, and if she isn’t repeatedly sampling new coffees you may find her sampling mezcals or solving a puzzle with her three amazing cats by her side. She’s a true non-conformist, you’ll never see her up before 10am by choice, and it’s a fact that she drinks coffee in the shower! In 2018 she received a bronze medal for single-origin pour-over coffee in the North American Golden Bean Competition.
SIENA VANCE
Coffee recommendation: CONGO /// MAPENDO
Dancing Swiss Army Knife / Does it All
How we all just love Siena so much! This bubbly, bright personality brings a youthful energy to the shop, and she often keeps us dancing with her various music selections. She worked as a barista for 3 years (learning from Chelsea), and won 3rdplace for best barista in Lawrence in 2018. She can spot the one burnt coffee bean amongst a sea of thousands to pluck out before packaging, and her quest for perfection is top notch. She’s an artist with a passion for linoleum cut prints and you can find her beautiful work at art markets around the area. Her carvings are not to be missed, and we’re so lucky to have her talent here with us at REPETITION.
SAM THOMAS
Coffee recommendation: GUATEMALA /// LA SENDA
A Lawrence native as well, Sam lived in Oklahoma for undergrad but returned to attend Kansas University for a graduate degree in Religious Studies. Fun fact: he was originally on a golf scholarship for undergrad but switched over to running on the cross-country team! A barista for 5 years, and most recently trained to become head roaster here at REPETITION. In 2022 Sam took home a bronze medal in the North America Golden Bean contest in the "Elite Coffee" category. When he’s not skateboarding all around town or helping out with the Lawrence Skaters Association, you can find him singing and playing guitar in his band Late Night, or cruising around on his vintage restored motorcycle.
KATIE HARPSTRITE
Coffee recommendation: SUMATRA /// MT. KERINCI
Farmers' Market associate / Ray of sunshine
Katie was raised on a farm where Folger's was fancy, and old coffee tins were filled with nails and screws. She fell in love with cafe culture while studying Italian in Florence, but didn't start making her own coffee until she bought a moka pot during law school. In 2013, Katie had a brain tumor epiphany, quit sitting at a desk, and took a long vacation. She also devoted herself to another love, teaching yoga, and discovered a therapeutic method from Brazil. In 2021, her business VAST Yoga was awarded 3rd place in the Best of Lawrence. Katie enjoys being a townie and the people she adores here, so she jumped at the opportunity to rep REPETITION at the local farmers' market. When she's not teaching people how to be more present in their body, mind and breath, or connecting with friends over something delicious, she is training her new pup, Bazooka Joe, to be the best yoga dog and dancing whenever she can.