This time last year was a really rough time. I was going through a bit of a career transition (partially by choice, partially not by choice), which lead me to officially launch the business I’d been teetering with for years. If you know anything about launching a business, you know it can be a slow process. While I did already have a base of clients, it was not *quite* enough to life off, let alone replace my former salary.
Enter Cleats.
My dad started his restaurant concept called Cleats Club Seat Grille 26 years ago in North Royalton, OH. Since then, it’s become a local legend of sorts. Throughout my high school and college years, I worked at Cleats doing everything from hostess, bus and wait tables. Even though I chose a different career path, I have always had a deep appreciation for the restaurant industry. I always knew I could go back, and that’s just what I did last year.
Words cannot express how much I learned from my experience. I met amazing people, learned more than I ever could have imagined and gained more steps in a few hours than I ever thought possible. Today I thought I’d share some reasons why I as a 9-5 professional still love the restaurant industry and why you will too!
Most restaurants and VERY short-staffed and managers will take whatever they can get from you.
Is there a night of the week that you’re typically bored at home after work? Why not see if a local watering hole could use a server! In times past, restaurants could require that their employees work a certain number of hours but now many will take whatever shifts you can give them. If you can commit to 1-2 nights per week, you could also potentially be a good fill-in in case someone else’s shift needs coverage. With tools like Hot Schedules, it’s super easy to work as much or as little as you’d like.
The money is damn good.
… and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. On busy nights, I’ve known of servers to walk out with $500. If you don’t need the money because of your day job, think about how much fun you can have with it! A few weeks of an extra $500 could mean one fancy vacation, for example. If you do need the money, think about how you can pay off debt faster, buy nicer groceries, etc.
You gain an appreciation for your community in a new way.
Working at Cleats last summer fostered an appreciation for the local community more than I ever could have imagined. Just from casual conversations I learned some historical facts, information about the local high school sports, as well as local goings-on.
The stigma of the restaurant industry is rapidly improving.
There was time in not-so distant history where restaurant guests often had MAJOR superiority complexes over the staff. Given the labor shortage, people generally really respect anyone who’s willing to work, as opposed to sitting at home collecting government checks.
Maybe you’ve stigmatized people who work in the industry… Welp, maybe it’s time to get over yourself because they’re probably enjoying their work more than you do 😉
You meet very interesting people.
That was probably my biggest takeaway from last summer–the fact that I met some truly incredible people, both on staff as well as the guests. I met someone who drove an 18 wheeler throughout the country. Also, I learned that the Lake Erie Islands have some of the best freshwater fishing in the country and that people from all over come to fish! I heard stories VERY different from my own and some that might have appeared very different from mine… but that we have a lot more in common than we we would have thought.
You gain skills you never knew you needed!
Have you ever wondered how restaurants can crank out hundreds of chicken wings in an hour? Or what kind of preparation goes in to a day? What about that drink that you’ve always wanted to make? Now is your chance to wow your friends with your amazing food preparation and drink making skills.
You genuinely have fun.
You know that old adage of, “Find a job you love and you never work a day in your life?” Well, that’s certainly true with restaurants. Even though it might not always be glamorous, it is always fun.
Never thought about worki
