Follow Your Dreams

Just like any high school student, I had worked at a restaurant while I was studying for my GED in Business. But I differed from my classmates in that I never saw myself actually becoming an architect or doctor. My goal was really just to graduate. I also never anticipated that my 'dream idea' would actually take off.

Running the Business

How did you learn to run your business?

I would define an entrepreneur, aside from someone who can take a risk and go forward with a vision, as someone who is incredibly adaptable and able to commit them self to fixing problems all day long. Creativity is built into my job description.

I didn’t go to business school, but I probably picked up a few things from my parents who owned their own business. I also learn the basic day-to-day management from working in the project management field at the construction company I currently reside at. Essentially I compare my beginnings to someone setting up their own home structure. Asking me now how I started is like asking someone five years after they’ve set up their first home, “how did you know where to put the furniture?” I learned by doing. I was constantly adapting to the needs that arose.

At the beginning I was in survival mode, which was a rush, but when that wore off I started to feel the stress of it. I was trying to "adult" and buy my first home and create a life with my boyfriend, not having any partners or managers to help with the load. It was hard until I realized that I could view things from another angle: that I was the one in charge of fixing the problems, and that that was my job. Eventually I got my stride. Once I surrendered to what my role was, things became easier to manage.

There are certain key things that direct my decision-making. I focus on keeping the morale up and keeping the concept going, and above all, I have to stay true to my story — my original intentions for the business. My vision at its roots was about people, conviviality and good humor. So my service and what I wanted to sell was the means to achieve that through place and experience. As grumpy and as mean as people can get, I want them to be happy. That was my ultimate goal and whatever it took to make that happen is what I had to do.

Through it all, I have stayed consistent and led with my heart.

What’s the most rewarding part of running the business?

The smiles I see and feedback we receive from our clients and their guests makes each event most rewarding.

What’s the most difficult part?

People will tell you that maintaining schedule and staffing, especially in the food business, is probably one of the most difficult aspects of the business. If someone doesn’t show up, you’re short. I do get the mishaps, but I’ve made Y.E.S. about the team. Everyone knows they play a part. People want to work with me and I want to work with them. We invest in and count on each other.

What’s the most surprising part?

Definitely the most surprising aspect of my role is how frequently I feel like I’m a psychologist, making sure every member of the team is on board.

What I've Learned

What do you wish you had known before starting the business?

Nothing!!! I am happy to have discovered it the way I did. I would have been utterly bored out of my mind knowing all the technical parts that I know now if I had had to learn this in school. Some people do really well in those surroundings — I’m just not that type! Having a vision is the ability to make a story happen.

What advice do you have for others starting out?

Since following my dream of starting a business, I could never of imagined the obstacles I would forth come. But as you stay strong, and have people that believe in you, you overcome those hiccups. And you become more experienced with each passing day. Yes the element of fear tends to creeps in here and there, because you understand what happens if you can’t pay your bills. But if you’re scared, you’re less free to be creative and go forward. So my advice is not to worry — it can be paralyzing.