Co-Founder and Chief Culture Officer of Chai Pani Restaurant Group

I studied child psychology. I was a doula. I helped deliver babies. I had this whole other life. But in the back of my head, I was like, "When shit really hits the fan, I know I can always go work in a restaurant." It's helpful to know that.

As leaders, we have to be our best version of ourselves, let go of the toxic management strategies from the past, and lean into what we know works for leading our crew through the wild ride of service. It's that resilience that teaches us skills way beyond getting through a chaotic Saturday night.

If you're struggling, know that there are other people that have gone through this and have walked this path. They have walked through the fire. They might have some ideas on how to get through it. Just know that you're not alone.

Stop worrying so much about what you think the world wants you to be, and spend more time and energy in your life focusing on what you want to be and what you believe you have to share with the world

I really believe the idea of rising tides lift all boats. As startup businesses in this town, we all benefited from the halo of each other's success. We saw that as a mutual win, not a competition. We were trying to all lift each other up.

We're in a moment of time in our world where the economy is changing, and young people are struggling to find work. I believe that if every person in the world worked in a restaurant for one year, it would change the world we're living in. There would be much more empathy and understanding of what service industries can offer–not just the people that are working in it, but the world.