First Taste of Being an Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurship 101

My first job was working at a burger joint. I don’t remember what led me to that. It was not glamorous, but it was a job and that worked for me. Prior to this first job in the real world, I was a babysitter. Making my first cold call to a new neighbor at the age of thirteen got me a long standing assignment. I can still see myself at my mothers desk ready to dial the phone. Later the mother confessed that when she first met me—this young girl with braces on her teeth, she thought—I’m going to leave my three children with this girl? One was only 6 months old, but they kept me on for years and years. Why? Well, I was really good at taking care of the kids. Once they were in bed, I cleaned the house. Putting everything in order and getting the kitchen spotless. These were busy people who did not take much time to keep things neat and clean. It got to the point that they would make little or no effort, knowing I would clean it all up on Friday night.  I share this story to illustrate that making a cold call can change your life. Great service beyond expectation, and a take-charge attitude will serve you well in the rest of your career.

Back to burgerland…Here’s the magic bullet. I had to read the employee manual before starting the job and the words that stayed with me over the years—“Your last customer of the day is as important as the first.” From my perspective, this is the instructive advice that put the rudder on my ship. I went on to work at other food and hospitality venues—pizzeria, brew pub and even a night club. As a server, another job that gave me great insight on customer relations, I learned everything I needed to know about being an entrepreneur. Sometimes I would get really crappy stations. Prime locations were given to those with seniority, but I did not let that stand in my way. I gave great service to everyone and got better tips than anyone else. It made all the other servers angry and I actually got fired. They had done everything they could to undermine my success, and when that did not work, well…I got the boot.

Thank heavens! I went on to college and learned about fine art and all that. Went to work for a small advertising agency as an account executive to learn the ropes, but none of it felt right. They did not serve their clients the way I wanted to. I wanted to give superior service, their way seemed insincere. I wanted my own station back. I wanted to direct my own future success, and within short order, I started my own advertising agency. Armed with very little experience, except the rudder of my original tenacity and desire to please—I succeeded. Cold calls were easy. Giving clients more than they asked for, a pleasure. Serving with excellence and integrity, my soul satisfaction.

So if you are just starting out, and they ask you to wear a happy face headband, a polyester red white and blue pantsuit, a pub apron, or a danskimpy…never fear. The lessons you learn from any hospitality business is that all brands have a uniform and if you don’t like it…go out and create some of your own guidelines to greatness. Get your first taste of entrepreneurship. Get your rudder straight. Go on to create uniformed hospitality in whatever flavor you like. But remember, whatever business you choose, these are excellent words to live by…

Your last customer of the day, is as important as the first.

One of my favorite service taglines is “We’ll leave the light on.” Now that’s a company that’s focused on serving you night or day, whenever you arrive.

If you think it’s too late to get going…think of Colonel Sanders…he rebooted at age 65—proving you’re never too old to win. His occupation is listed as entrepreneur.

Go ahead, make that call to yourself. Step into your greatness no matter where you are. It begins and ends with hospitality—and if you do it right, it will feed you joy every day.