Partner at Friend of Chef (FOC)

Hire hard, manage easy.

There are many lesson I’ve learned throughout my career, here is one: perseverance will take you the farthest.

I look for many things when hiring — strong work ethic, desire for excellence, empathy and warmth, honesty, and self-awareness — but my favorite litmus test is curiosity. A candidate who demonstrates genuine curiosity (and this can be about almost anything) is typically intelligent, awake at the wheel, and likely to contribute positively beyond their job description.

I think it is hard to overstate the value of being present and truly listening. It is essential for progress, for confidence, for effective collaboration.

I’m an extrovert, so my energy and inspiration come from others. I feel the most inspired when I’m surrounded by people who are passionate and curious, both inside and outside of work.

I work out often — it’s critical for sleep and my mood. My husband can usually tell if I haven’t worked out yet just by how I’m acting.

I love listening to all of Scott Galloway’s podcasts, especially “Pivot with Scott and Kara Swisher.”

Inspiration comes from hiring people who are interesting and interested — when your team is passionate about things beyond their job description, it creates a more dynamic environment.

Education is the easiest part at FOC because every day brings something new, and the opportunities to learn are everywhere. It really all ties back to hiring the right people—when the team is curious, engaged, and motivated, the rest flows naturally.