Laura Quast: Serving with a Servant's Heart

Local Q&A

By Like Media Team

Laura Quast bought her first Jitterz Espresso stand in Coeur d'Alene in 2006. Nearly 20 years later, the company runs 20 locations across Idaho and employs more than 250 people. The count of stands is not what drives her. Those stands support local schools, youth sports, veterans, first responders, and families in a hard season. She built the business on one idea: great people, great coffee, and giving back to the communities she calls home.

Q. What first shaped the way you think about serving and supporting the communities around you?

A. I believe God gave me a heart for people. From a young age, I've carried compassion for those around me and a desire to help wherever I could. When I bought my first Jitterz in 2006, I wanted it to be about more than coffee. North Idaho has poured so much into my family, and giving back to the people who supported us has been one of my greatest joys.

Q. At what point did community involvement become an intentional part of how you run Jitterz?

A. It was there from the beginning. As Jitterz grew, I realized our impact could reach far beyond coffee. That meant helping a local family, sponsoring youth sports, supporting schools, and partnering with nonprofits. We wanted community involvement woven into who we are, not something we do once in a while.

Q. What does giving back look like through Jitterz today?

A. We support local schools in every community we're in, youth sports teams, nonprofits, community fundraisers, and families facing unexpected hardship. Requests come in almost daily. We can't say yes to everything, but we help where we can, because even small acts of kindness make a real difference. Some organizations we partner with often are Make-A-Wish, Canopy Village, Coffee for a Cause, Unyielding Hope, and several foundations that support veterans and law enforcement.

Q. How do your locations and team carry that work into the broader community?

A. Our team is the heart of Jitterz. They build relationships with customers every day, and many of them live in the same communities they serve. They promote local fundraisers, support schools, volunteer, and tell us about needs in their own neighborhoods. Community doesn't start at the top. It happens because every member of our team cares. We also have a wonderful outreach coordinator who keeps us involved in every community we're part of.

Q. How do you decide which needs or organizations to support?

A. We look for causes that directly affect our local communities and match our values. We also look for opportunities where our support can make a real difference, whether that's through donations, sponsorships, fundraising events, or simply helping spread awareness.

Q. Is there one person, family, or experience that has shown you the impact of that work?

A. It's hard to choose just one, because we've been blessed to witness so many incredible stories over the years. Some of the most meaningful moments have come when we've rallied around local families facing medical crises or unexpected hardship.

One experience has stayed with me. A gentleman came into our headquarters and asked if he could meet me. About 15 years earlier, we had helped his family at Christmas when they weren't going to have one. He told me our generosity had made a lasting impact on him and his son, and he came back all those years later just to say thank you. It was a humbling moment, and a reminder that you never truly know how far one act of kindness can reach.

I believe God has blessed this business because He knows our heart is to serve others. We don't always see the impact of what we do, but moments like that remind me why it matters, and why something as simple as a cup of coffee can bring people together for a greater purpose.

Q. What has community involvement taught you about leadership and running Jitterz?

A. Leadership is really about serving others. Success isn't measured only by growth or sales. It's measured by the impact you have on people. When you genuinely care about your employees, customers, and community, everything else tends to follow. Jitterz has been built on relationships and trust over two decades, and I'm thankful for that.

Q. Looking ahead, how do you hope Jitterz continues to support Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho?

A. My hope is that Jitterz continues to be known as a place where people feel valued and where the community knows we're here to help. As we continue growing, I want us to keep investing in local schools, nonprofits, families, and community events while creating opportunities for our employees to grow as well. North Idaho has given so much to our family, and we want to continue giving back for many years to come.

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