We recently had the chance to connect with Beth Humbert, M.Ed., CRC and have shared our conversation below.
Beth, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
People/Customers only see the day-to-day operations of our business, such as how coffee drinks are made and how menu items are presented. Fortunately, they see a well-oiled café, which is obviously what we want on the surface.
What they don’t realize is the amount of extra work that goes into promoting our services to referral sources, processing selected candidates for work at the café, and educating families, as well as the challenges associated with teaching work-readiness skills, so that all can participate effectively.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Beth Humbert, and I have dedicated the last 25 years to helping people with disabilities achieve meaningful employment. I’m a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor by trade, and I’ve partnered with government agencies, private organizations, and local nonprofit programs to provide individualized support, career coaching, and advocacy to a variety of disabled populations.
Beth’s passions lie in creating opportunities for independence, self-determination, and inclusion in the workforce. Whole Latte Love Café began to evolve in 2017. The mission at Whole Latte Love Café is to enhance and empower the lives of differently-abled adults through specialized job training and community support. After witnessing the limited vocational options for her own daughter with Autism during her transition from high school, Beth chose to leave her professional career to make a tangible difference in Stark County.
Today, the café represents inclusion and change. It provides a platform where people with disabilities can now be seen, heard, and valued. Whole Latte Love Café successfully held its grand opening in January 2022, and they expanded their services in September 2025 with Whole CommUNITY Academy, which is primarily focused on career exploration services and addressing activities of daily living.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I always knew I’d be a mother someday. I read the books on “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” and “What to Expect during Your First Year”, but none of those books prepared me for the birth of my third daughter. She arrived differently; she was born breech, with a different set of rules, and she forced me to look at life through a different lens.
This lens has changed my life; it shaped my future, and it opened up a world I never realized I truly needed.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Starting a grass-roots not-for-profit is definitely not for someone who isn’t up for many years of hard work, learning, evolving, and accepting guidance, especially when you have no experience starting a business. However, organizing a board of directors comes with its own separate challenges, and it isn’t for the faint of heart.
I shared in my last interview that our Board of Directors unexpectedly fell apart just six months before opening the café. Navigating that disruption required adaptability, transparent communication, and steady leadership during a critical period. It forced me to reinforce my values, the importance of governance alignment, and mission-driven decision-making. It was 12-18 months of being micro-managed by someone whose heart didn’t align with mine. Although I learned a lot during those challenging months, it was a very discouraging time for me. I kept asking God to take the lead, and finally He worked it all out.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire Michelle Obama for her character because she consistently leads with integrity, humility, and compassion rather than authority. She uses her platform to uplift others, advocate for education and inclusion, and she is the model of grace under pressure—showing that true influence comes from authenticity and service, not power.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I suppose you might have a more vivid look if you were to ask my daughters or my staff this question, but here goes …
I hope people say that I saw potential where others saw limitations, and that I created spaces where people felt valued, capable, and included. That I led with compassion, worked hard to build something meaningful, and helped others believe in themselves—sometimes before they believed in themselves.
Most of all, I hope they say I made my community better by choosing inclusion and people over convenience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://wholelattelovecafe.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nclattelovecafe/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humbybeth/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nclattelovecafe
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/home/_15vpDTyC31XVl-uSLpTHw/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FNVbDEBVlJx4
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@wholelattelovecafe%F0%9F%A7%A1
Image Credits
Laura Esposito was the photographer who took the picture of me, my husband & my youngest daughter. All the other pictures were taken with my cell phone.
