Chef & Owner of The Hungry Gnome Baked Goods

Working in demanding, unionized luxury hotel environments in New York City taught me invaluable lessons about people management. Navigating union labor came with its challenges, but it ultimately shaped me into a fair, consistent, and well-prepared manager who understands the importance of structure, communication, and accountability. I learned that clear expectations, thorough documentation, and transparent communication are essential to maintaining trust and credibility with both employees and leadership. This experience reinforced the importance of accountability at every level, holding team members responsible for their performance while also holding myself accountable as a leader to follow process, remain impartial, and lead with integrity. As a result, I became a more structured and intentional manager who values preparation, open dialogue, and consistency as the foundation for effective leadership.

I learned an important lesson about emotional control in the workplace: there truly is “no crying in business.” Early in my career, as a naturally compassionate and sensitive person, I sometimes allowed frustration or feelings of unfairness to get the best of me, even becoming emotional in front of employees or leadership. Over time, I realized that unless there is a significant personal loss, showing that level of emotion at work does not inspire confidence or resolve issues, it can signal a lack of control over the situation. Now, when emotions run high, I step away, take a breath, and give myself time to process before responding. Allowing space to cool down helps me think clearly, communicate effectively, and handle challenges professionally rather than reacting emotionally.

One thing that always stuck with me was if a customer is upset and irate about something, approach them with a big, warm smile. More times than not, the person’s whole demeanor will change when they are greeted by someone with a friendly face who is using a positive, uplifting tone.

My mom is one of my greatest life mentors and she always taught me “if you don’t ask you don’t get.” In business, I’ve learned how true this is. Whether it’s advocating for resources, clarifying expectations, requesting support, or pursuing growth opportunities or pitching to new clients, progress often starts with the willingness to speak up. Asking thoughtful questions opens the door to better communication, stronger solutions, and fewer assumptions. This mindset has taught me to be proactive rather than passive, to advocate for my team, to advocate for the products I am selling, and myself, and to approach challenges with confidence. In business, those who ask gain clarity, great opportunity, and momentum, while those who stay silent often miss out.

Most of the time, I am hiring bakers for my bakery, but typically I am not even looking for whoever has the most baking experience. I want to see that they are respectful, driven and hard working, professional and timely, and have a willingness to learn and adapt. After they pass the preliminary interview, we have them do a “trail” in the kitchen to see how they work, and typically within 15 minutes I can tell if someone has “it” or not.

In an interview, I look for a candidate's genuine interest in the role. For example, when hiring bakers, I want to understand whether the position is simply a paycheck or if the candidate truly enjoys cooking and baking. Passion often translates into pride in one’s work, consistency, and a willingness to improve skills over time.

One question I always ask is for candidates to describe themselves using three adjectives. This exercise reveals a great deal about self-awareness, confidence, and communication style. The words they choose and how easily or thoughtfully they choose them often provide insight into how they see themselves and how they may show up in a professional environment. I also like to see that people are prepared in an interview. Did you bring a resume, are you dressed cleanly and professionally (not necessarily a suit if you’re looking to be a baker, for example, but something appropriate and polished), and finally, do they have questions for me. If the person has no questions about the role, the business or anything for that matter, to me it shows disinterest.

When creating new products for the bakery, I often find inspiration in my grandmother’s personal recipe books. They connect me to tradition, family, and the flavors that first shaped my love for baking. I also enjoy wandering through the grocery store and letting ingredients spark ideas…sometimes a single flavor, texture, or seasonal item can inspire an entire concept. Much of what I create is rooted in nostalgia. I’m drawn to flavors that evoke comfort, familiarity, and memory, and I enjoy reimagining those classics in a way that feels both personal and relevant to today’s customer.

One self-care practice I prioritize is intentionally scheduling time with friends and family. Having plans on the calendar gives me something to look forward to, essentially a light at the end of the tunnel during especially demanding periods. Spending time with loved ones, most often over a good meal, helps me reset and recharge. Those moments of connection remind me why balance matters and allow me to return to work feeling more present, energized, and motivated.

I’m a big fan of podcasts, especially How I Built This, Call Her Daddy, and Good Hang with Amy Poehler. I turn to them for inspiration and motivation, but also for balance, whether that’s a good laugh, a moment to decompress, or perspective after a long day. These podcasts allow me to learn from a wide range of entrepreneurs and personalities, gaining insight not only from their successes, but also from their failures. Hearing honest stories about challenges, growth, and resilience reminds me that progress isn’t linear and helps keep me grounded and inspired to keep moving forward.