Quick Start Guide
Welcome to the team! This page walks you through everything you need to know for your first day and first week at Muse & Co. Take it one step at a time -- by the end of your first week, you will feel right at home.
Your First Day
Your first shift will be a shadow shift, meaning you will follow an experienced team member and observe how things work. There is no pressure to memorize everything on day one. Just soak it in, ask questions, and get comfortable with the space.
What to expect:
- You will be introduced to whoever is on shift and given a quick tour of the lounge.
- Your shadow partner will walk you through a typical shift flow: opening tasks, drink prep, customer interactions, and cleaning routines.
- You will get your apron and a login for the staff portal.
Where to Park
We are located at 311 Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville. There is no dedicated employee parking lot, so you will use street parking.
| When | Cost |
|---|---|
| Monday -- Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM | $1.35/hour (metered) |
| Evenings after 5 PM | Free |
| Weekends (all day) | Free |
Save on Parking
The Franklin Street Deck (one block away) offers the first hour FREE. If you are working a daytime shift on a weekday, this or a side street just off Hay Street are your best options. Many surrounding blocks have free, unmetered spots within a short walk. After 5 PM and on weekends, everything is free. For more details, see ncfayetteville.com/parking.
Dress Code
Keep it casual but clean. You represent Muse & Co, so please show up looking put-together:
- Clean, presentable clothes -- no rips, stains, or offensive graphics.
- Comfortable closed-toe shoes (you will be on your feet and around hot water).
- An apron is provided for you on your first day. Keep it clean and bring it to every shift.
- Hair should be pulled back if it is long enough to fall into drinks or supplies.
Key Tools
You will use two main tools as a team member:
| Tool | URL | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Portal | staff.ncmuse.co | View your schedule, clock in and out, access the POS system, set availability, request time off |
| Employee Wiki | wiki.ncmuse.co | You are here! Drink recipes, checklists, equipment guides, event setup instructions |
Staff Portal Access
You will receive your login credentials on your first day. If you have trouble logging in, ask your shift lead or email hello@ncmuse.co.
Required Onboarding Reading
Every new employee must read Observations & Shared Lessons during onboarding. This page records recurring mistakes and lessons that protect product quality, costs, and customer trust. Re-read it whenever the team is told that it has been updated.
The staff portal at staff.ncmuse.co is your daily hub. You will use it to:
- Clock in and out at the start and end of every shift. See Clock In/Out for details.
- Check your schedule for upcoming shifts. See My Schedule.
- Set your availability so we can schedule you for times that work. See Availability.
- Request time off when you need it. See Request Time Off.
The customer-facing website at ncmuse.co is what guests see. It is worth browsing so you know what customers are looking at when they visit us. Key pages you should know about:
| Page | URL | What Customers See |
|---|---|---|
| Menu | ncmuse.co/menu | Full drink menu with descriptions and prices |
| Paint & Art | ncmuse.co/paint | Paint & Boba ($45) and Sit and Paint ($25) booking |
| Events | ncmuse.co/events | Upcoming workshops and events calendar |
| Art Classes | ncmuse.co/classes | Weekly class calendar and enrollment |
| Book Space | ncmuse.co/book-space | Private event and space rental booking |
| Loyalty | ncmuse.co/loyal-tea | Muse Stars program, points, and rewards |
| Membership | ncmuse.co/membership | Monthly membership plans ($25-$105/mo) |
| Military | ncmuse.co/military-discount | Military discount details (5-30% off) |
Military Discounts
Muse & Co is veteran-owned, and we offer military discounts to give military members and their families greater access to creative outings and events while showing appreciation for their service. Current discounts and eligibility details are listed at ncmuse.co/military-discount.
Eligible customers include active-duty service members, veterans, Guard and Reserve members, military spouses and dependents, retirees, and Gold Star families.
| Purchase | Military discount |
|---|---|
| Sit and Paint | 30% off |
| Paint & Boba | 25% off |
| Space rentals | 15% off |
| Military Latte | 25% off plus one free topping |
| Other drinks | 5% off plus one free topping per drink |
Military discounts are attached to the customer's Muse & Co account and apply to online orders and bookings only through ncmuse.co. Staff do not manually enter these discounts at the register.
How to Verify a Customer
Every floor employee can complete verification, including when working a shift alone. A manager does not need to be present.
- Sign in to the staff portal and select Verify Military. You can also open staff.ncmuse.co/verify-military directly.
- Ask for the email address on the customer's Muse & Co account and search for it. Searching is required. Select the matching customer when found.
- If no matching customer is listed, select Create customer account and enter the customer's name and email. Staff do not create or know a password for the customer.
- Select the customer or military sponsor's branch of service. This is used only for relevant community outreach, such as Memorial Day communications; never record rank, unit, or an ID number.
- Briefly view valid military eligibility documentation and confirm that the customer qualifies.
- Check both confirmation boxes and select Activate Military Discount.
- If a new account was created, tell the customer to open the verification email and use its one-time sign-in link. They must continue signing in with that same email for the discount to apply.
The customer receives an email explaining their discounts and how to use them online. For a new account, the email also verifies ownership and signs the customer in securely; no staff-created password is used. If the email cannot be sent, the discount is still saved, but a new customer cannot verify and access the account. Clearly explain this and contact a manager for follow-up.
Never Copy a Military ID
Do not photograph, scan, photocopy, write down an ID number, or retain any military document. Look at the documentation only long enough to confirm eligibility. The staff portal never asks for an ID number or image.
Customer-Care Standard
Treat military customers with appreciation and respect. Do not interrogate them, argue about their service, or make them repeat information unnecessarily. Keep the eligibility check brief and private.
If the portal says the military benefit is already active, no additional action is needed. If it reports a different active benefit, an unexpected error, or the customer cannot order or book online, contact a manager for assistance. Do not turn the customer away or invent a register discount. Help the customer review ncmuse.co/military-discount while the issue is escalated.
The Space
Here is a quick orientation of the lounge so you know what is where:
Front Counter and POS
This is where you will spend most of your time. The front counter faces the entrance and has the POS (point of sale) system where you take orders and process payments. See How to Use the POS for a full walkthrough.
Drink Prep Area
Behind the counter is the drink prep station. This is where you will find the espresso machine, blenders, hot water dispenser, boba supplies, teas, powders, syrups, and everything you need to make drinks. The Drinks & Recipes section of this wiki covers every drink on the menu.
Art Supplies and Gallery Wall
The gallery wall features rotating work from local artists. Guests can browse and purchase pieces. We also keep art supplies stocked for our Paint & Boba events and Sit & Paint sessions. You do not need to be an art expert, but knowing where supplies are stored and how events are set up is part of the job.
Seating Area
The lounge has open seating for guests to relax, work, create, or hang out. Part of your role is keeping this area clean and welcoming throughout your shift -- wiping tables, pushing in chairs, and making sure the vibe stays right.
Your Role
At Muse & Co, there are no rigid job titles. Everyone does a bit of everything, and that is what makes the team work. On any given shift, you might:
- Make drinks -- from boba to floral teas to espresso drinks.
- Greet and serve customers -- take orders, answer questions, make recommendations.
- Set up or break down events -- Paint & Boba nights, workshops, private bookings.
- Restock and clean -- keep the counter, prep area, and seating area tidy and stocked.
- Support the gallery -- answer questions about displayed artwork or direct guests to the artist's info.
No Task is "Not My Job"
If something needs doing -- whether it is wiping down a table, restocking cups, or taking out trash -- it is everyone's responsibility. A small team only works when everyone pitches in without being asked.
First Week Checklist
Use this checklist to stay on track during your first week. You do not need to complete everything on day one -- spread it out and ask your shift lead if you need help with any step.
| Task | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Log into the staff portal | Day 1 | Go to staff.ncmuse.co with the credentials you receive on your first day |
| Set your availability preferences | Day 1 | Let us know which days and times work for you. See Availability |
| Read Observations & Shared Lessons | Day 1 -- required | Read Observations & Shared Lessons during onboarding and re-read it whenever the team is notified of an update |
| Read the drink categories page | Day 1--2 | Familiarize yourself with our menu structure. See Drink Categories |
| Shadow a full shift | Day 1 | Follow an experienced team member through an entire shift from start to finish |
| Learn the POS basics | Day 1--2 | Practice ringing up orders and processing payments. See How to Use the POS |
| Practice the military verification workflow | Day 1--2 | Open Verify Military, review eligible customers and discounts, and remember never to photograph or retain an ID |
| Practice making 3 core drinks | Day 2--3 | Work with your shift lead to make a boba tea, a milk tea, and a floral tea. See How to Make Boba |
| Read the opening checklist | Day 2--3 | Know what needs to happen before we open. See Opening Checklist |
| Read the closing checklist | Day 2--3 | Know what needs to happen at the end of the night. See Closing Checklist |
| Sync your schedule to your calendar | Day 3--5 | Optional but recommended. See Calendar Sync |
| Review customer service basics | Day 3--5 | How we greet people and handle questions. See Greeting Customers |
Take Notes
Keep a small notebook or use your phone to jot down things you want to remember. Drink recipes, where supplies are stored, how the espresso machine works -- writing it down helps it stick. And you can always look things up later right here in the wiki.
Business Hours
For reference, here are our regular hours:
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed (private events only) |
| Tuesday -- Friday | 11 AM -- 7 PM |
| Saturday -- Sunday | 11 AM -- 8 PM |
Your shift times will be posted on the staff portal. Arrive a few minutes early so you are ready to go when your shift starts.
Key Contacts
| What | How |
|---|---|
| General questions, scheduling issues, or anything else | hello@ncmuse.co |
| Urgent shift issues | Talk to your shift lead in person |
We Do Not Have a Phone Line
All communication happens over email or in person. If you need to reach someone outside of a shift, send an email to hello@ncmuse.co and you will get a response as soon as possible.
What's Next
You have got the basics down. From here, explore the wiki based on what you need:
- Drinks & Recipes -- Learn the full menu, recipes, and quality standards.
- Customer Service -- How we greet guests, take orders, and handle complaints.
- Opening & Closing -- Daily checklists to start and end the day right.
- Events -- How to set up and run Paint & Boba nights, workshops, and private events.
- Equipment -- Guides for every piece of equipment behind the counter.
- Inventory -- Where things are stored, how to restock, and how to receive deliveries.
- Employee Guide -- Schedule, time off, availability, and calendar sync.
Last updated: August 2026