Hospitality from Within

Ep 11 - Leadership is sharing the stage with your team - it’s not just about you with guest Angel TablacAngel is celebrating almost 2 decades working in the hospitality industry. She started her journey in operations and she started to learn more about her draw to HR when she joined a group that was in process of an expansion. When she was able to touch many different departments, she knew she was heading towards an HR path. Her colleagues mirrored back to her that she was really skilled at connecting with people.During the pandemic, Angel shares how she and her husband navigated operating restaurants while parenting their two daughters while learning was remote. It was a humbling experience but as much as she loved being in the middle of chaos because it was never boring, she had to start putting herself and family first. Angel’s mentor, Stephanie Jackson mentioned that an HR opportunity had opened up within the company and encouraged her to consult with her family before transitioning roles.A few takeaways Angel learnt from moving from operations to HR:The law is the law and yes it is black and white but because she has experience as an operator, she is able to give advice and guidance from that perspective.She’s had big success as an HR professional by coaching her teams from an operator's viewpoint.HR should not be scary or an intimidating role.She is very intentional on how she shows up to meetings.Become a leader that you influence the team that does not report directly to you and knows how to navigate relationships based on trust.Leadership is knowing your strengths and weaknesses and being humble to leverage your team to bridge the gap between your weaknesses with their expertise.Angel shows up the way she wished someone would have shown up for her when she was an operator.Angel’s favorite part of HR is strategy and sharing with teams how significant of an impact an HR professional has on the daily life of a team. Her biggest piece of advice to the listeners is get to know your HR team because they can be your biggest supporter and collaborator. If you have the opportunity to cross paths with Angel, you can guarantee she will ask you if she can tag along on your day!**This episode is in loving memory of Stephanie Jackson, a beautiful soul, mentor, and friend to both Angel and I who has left a lasting impression on us both and our industry as a whole. About Angel:An ultimate juggler of life, love, and laughter! As a wife and mom of two adorable little girls, she mastered the art of balancing bedtime stories with boardroom strategies. With 19 years of experience in hospitality and HR, she's not just an expert in operations; she's a magician when it comes to supporting and uplifting her team. Beyond the spreadsheets and staff meetings, she's on a mission to be the role model her daughters deserve. Passionate about leaving a positive impact, she's not just shaping policies but also shaping minds. From bedtime tales to career tales, she's weaving. narrative of success, sprinkled with kindness and compassion.For more resources on leadership and eliminating the sticky energy from team culture, visit tThe School of Hospitality from Within Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

We get lost in what creativity means when we are deep in our own minds.Creativity can mean so many things and sometimes reach a block when we are sitting in front of the computer trying to get the admin done.Observing our productivity capacities throughout the day is an important process to explore so you can understand your bandwidth and work best within your day. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be productive - to get through our to do lists. But let’s be real, sometimes we simply DO NOT want to write that email, make that checklist, make that phone call. And I’m going to say real loud - THAT’S OK! It’s likely not the best time for the brain to complete this task and you’ll likely find yourself procrastinating in getting it done. And then start the story within your mind that you are not capable of even fulfilling your job responsibilities. This is NOT the true story. This is your permission slip to explore your brain capacity throughout the day. And to show up for yourself by stepping away from a task that you are unable to complete in that exact moment and go find a task that is more creative, allows you to use your hands and mind is another way, so you can come back with clarity and self encouragement to get the other task done.Here are some resources that are always available to you to tap into your creativity and still the mind- Doodling- Drawing or painting- Organizing the walk in or your desk drawers- Organizing the host stand- Labeling- My current favorite, a mini etch a sketch - a few minutes creating on this REALLY puts my entire self in a zone- Recognition of progress template Encourage your colleagues and teammates to do the same when you see them struggling to complete some tasks. A touch of creativity helps us feel productive and inspired again. For more resources, visit theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 9 All things of life within hospitality with guest Alex Harris Alex’ journey started in hospitality at Kenny Rogers when he was in high school and when he looks back, it all makes sense how he landed where he is today. He took a journey working at Merck helping create HIV vaccines - Alex ended up at Merk where he was on the team that was developing HIV vaccines - a chef in some ways but maybe not in the way we would all define it. Things got a little funky during his quarter life crisis and examined the things that really gave him joy. Alex thought back to his time at Kenny Rogers and got inspiration from former colleagues who also took a leap into hospitality and this is where his next love cycle began. Alex’ community and support network are his reflection and his helpful safety next to make the leap into a chef’s role. Being prepared helps make the jump a little well informed versus it feeling reactive. Confidence is important and has to be a part of your foundation so you can move into the next space. How do you create an operation, menu and culture that meets all the needs and the business at the same time as giving all the grace, patience and information that you would in a classroom environment. This is what makes Alex’ role very unique. This position really encouraged Alex to learn how to let go. He reminds us that we are not powerful enough to have control over all the aspects of a business because we are interacting with humans daily. Through this process, Alex teaches us all that it helps your entire community within your organization when you allow the space to give the experience to your staff so they can enrich the lives of the students or other team members. Alex asks himself regularly this one question: “Is that where your knowledge, talent and experience is best serving the business? This helped Alex learn to let go and step into the mental space to look at the larger vision of the organization and his role within it. Alex is the Culinary Director at Emma's Torch. About Alex: Alexander Harris took a slightly different career path to become the chef that he is today. After graduating from the University of Delaware, he began his professional career in the pharmaceutical industry in the greater Philadelphia area. Growing up with a love for food, this gave him the means to travel and eat at many of the great restaurants in the area. This was all that it took for him to fall in love with cooking. So after several years at a large pharmaceutical company, he enrolled in the Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. After graduation, Alexander’s love of French cuisine lead him to working with some of the great restaurants/groups in Philadelphia including Lacroix at the Rittenhouse Hotel, Jose Garces, and Stephen Starr.Just like many others, Alexander had a goal of “making it” in New York City. As a chef in the City, he was able to obtain employment at some very influential groups, The Pierre Hotel and Union Square Hospitality Group, to advance his culinary career. Unexpectedly, what had also happened was that he began to find his place in the industry. The great amount of diversity in both the city and the workforce drew him closer to American culture/cuisine and led him to his current passion, building the next generation of great chefs. His goal is to use his 10+ years of experience to all aspects of the industry and to help empower the young aspiring chefs of today.Book suggestion:Essentialism by Greg Mckoewn For more resources and connecting with community, visit theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 8 - Honesty, zero b******t and full transparency with guest Randi Weinstein Randi Weinstein is an honest and powerful leader paving the way to a more educated, connected and sustainable industry. She didn’t start her career in hospitality but always loved it and it took a while for her to figure out how to fit into her life. Throughout her journey, she always found herself supporting communities and programming events to bring everyone together. In this collaborative conversation, we uncover the founding of FAB and how it has grown and evolved over the last 8 years. Randi, in her truest form, ensured this is a honest, zero b******t and full transparent chat which is guaranteed to keep us listening and leaves us inspired about building a business. Randi reminds us that every business starts with someone’s idea and then it continues to build on feedback. FAB was founded because she observed that the women in her hospitality community were lacking most was their capacity to understand what it means to own a business and that is something she knew would cause immediate failure for them. This is where the inspiration started and she drew up a curriculum for FAB and started moving the needle forward to create this impactful business workshop for all of us within the entire ecosystem of the hospitality community. Randi shows up for her community and leads us all to be more educated, activated and compassionate to ourselves and each other! Tickets for FAB go on sale March 4th, 2024! The schedule is live on the website now, so take Randi’s guidance and take a peek, plan out which panels you’d like to attend so you feel confident about snagging your ticket on March 4th. About Randi:Native New Yorker (first and always) and Charleston resident for just as long, Randi Weinstein has worked in and around the hospitality industry her whole life. As Director of Events and Logistics for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival for nearly eight years, she helped elevate Charleston’s growing food and beverage scene in the early years. Randi moved on to become Director of Operations for Butcher & Bee and eventually co-founded Bad B*****s, a cultish monthly event with a mission to showcase women's rise, decade by decade, from home kitchens to the hospitality industry. The goal was simple, raise money to provide scholarships and help women in the F&B community advance in their chosen careers. The success of Bad B*****s deepened Randi’s passion for educating and empowering women in hospitality – and forged the path for the creation of FAB, A business workshop, which kicked off in June 2017. FAB is entering into year 8 and keeps pushing the ball forward in efforts to keep women educated, inspired, activated and to expand their community or resources.Book Randi spoke about in this episode: A bold return to giving a damn by Will Harris For more resources on building your confidence from within and connecting with community, visit The School of Hospitality from Within at: https://theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com/ Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep7 with Jas Parks-Papadopoulos “Individuals begin to thrive when they are perceived” As a 3rd generation chef, Jas thrived in a culture of chaos and dysfunction until she noticed that this way was not supportive of her mental health. She stepped out of a chef role 3 years ago after having this realization and seeked out support. Through her long term emotional recovery journey, Jas found CHOW — an aligned community who she could relate to and felt no shame in showing up exactly how she was in that moment. Community is so clearly a core pillar to Jas and it’s inspiring to listen how she puts so much energy and love into creating circles for individuals to feel supported and have an active role in participation within the group. She is passionate about creating brave spaces for individuals to be perceived and thrive. Today Jas defines leadership as compassion and requires flexibility for her to continuously show up daily with an open mind and heart for herself, her family and her community. She is also practicing a new process of celebrating the little wins and she’s excited to be in this place! About Jas: Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos is Head of Community for CHOW (Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness); CHOW's mission is to improve the lives of food/beverage/hospitality workers through shared stories, skills and resources. Jasmin, a veteran Chef, joined CHOW in 2021 when she left the industry and began pursuing a career in coaching/consulting after struggling significantly with her mental health. She considers herself to be a CHOW success story as she credits CHOW for helping her integrate into a different career, while dealing with the heavy emotional turmoil of leaving the industry behind. Currently, Jasmin owns Eudemonia Life Coaching, where she focuses on Community Building for brands, organizations and individuals, and continues to grow the CHOW movement that aims to build a sustainable workforce for food/beverage/hospitality workers. For more support, visit: www.chowco.orgFor more resources on building your confidence from within, visit The School of Hospitality from Within at: https://theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com/ Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Kim explains why her new year starts on her birthday versus Jan 1 and the impact it has on her decisions, energy and life. You have the opportunity to define when your new year starts and it's ok if you have already started on Jan 1! It's your prerogative to change it up if you are being called to. For more resources and coaching support, visit theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Leadership is NOT a solo act. The narrative that we have to be strong and do it all to show our worth is not true. In this episode I break down the story that being a strong leader is a human is able to delegate, raise their hand and collaborate with our peers. Here are the 4 tips that I share in this episode. Delegating - ways to delegate: meeting notes, emails, text groups, verbally Coaching - consistent check ins and when you see something, do something and take this moment to teach something Learning and teaching everyday - if you are in the mindset that you think you know it all, you are leading through ego and rather closed off. Let all of your conversations be moments to learn and listen and collaborate. Process the information and then put actions in motion on how the information can integrate. And then delegated out. See how it all comes full circle! Asking for help - RAISE YOUR HAND and say, I’m under water, or I don’t have the bandwidth right now. Give factual and realistic timelines that you can complete projects and tasks in. For more resources, visit theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com If you are seeking coaching guidance, contact Kim Lerner at [email protected] Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

4 - Building community through connection, curiosity and being her clients’ hype girl with Alex ReichekIn this episode, Kim and Alex talk about the excitement around building community. Alex committed to meeting everyone in Austin when she moved back and ever since, has built her own PR & Marketing agency. Alex is always asking questions (and not only to her clients) that stem from a deep curiosity to learn as much as possible about her people. She takes pride in being her clients’ hype girl and cheerleader which allows her to get creative in finding the fun and aligned collaborators and partnerships for them. Her mind works through highlighting the juicy story, getting creative, and then she connects the dots through these channels to put on fun events or lands her clients' story on the cover of a local magazine. Alex recently celebrated her business’ 5th birthday and all that she has accomplished along her journey because all of it deserves recognition! Alex is mostly known for her work with restaurants—from boosting brand awareness for 15-year-old Thai Fresh to creating a sold-out Frozen Treat Festival with her pastry chef clients to devising a viral cocktail for Il Brutto—but also advises consumer packaged goods and lifestyle brands. Though she’s become integral to the Austin food and drink scene, the Texas-born PR and Marketing expert got her start in New York City. Before setting out on her own, Alex managed media relations for Manhattan eateries and hotels at Shadow PR and The Door, and then oversaw McGuire Moorman Hospitality’s Austin suite of properties as the company’s first Communications Director.Today, she continues to help her food and hospitality clients meet their goals. Sometimes this is as straightforward as pitching local and national press outlets for coverage, or introducing her clients to other like-minded brands to pave the way for new collaborations and partnerships. Alex digs deeper to help businesses define their stories and distill them into on-brand messaging and authentic experiences. She executes creative ideas for events and campaigns, ensuring they feel cohesive across social, email, brick-and-mortar signage, marketing materials, and website. (While living in Manhattan, Alex’s own website was recognized by Huffington Post as one of “The Best New York Food Blogs.”)For her popular Chekmark Eats brand, Alex Reichek explores the city—getting to know the chefs and restaurants behind each new bite along the way. And with a decade of professional industry experience, she’s a pro at translating what makes them special to her 24K+ Instagram followers and newsletter readers— sign up here!When she’s off duty, you can usually find Alex swimming (more on this in her Austin Guide, which you can order here), diving into a chocolate chip cookie (here are her favorites), or exploring a new town’s best dishes (she shares her travel guides here).Alex' Website https://alexreichek.com/Alex' IG: https://www.instagram.com/chekmarkeats/Sign up for Alex' Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/58cde66339d5/chekmarkeats For leadership coaching and consulting with Kim, visit www.onlyyummyalways.comFor more resources, workshops and community, visit theschool.www.onlyyummalways.com Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Ep 3 - “Take a beat and ask why” - Kerry BrodieThis episode is a collaborative conversation with Kerry Brodie, the Executive Director and Founder of Emma’s Torch. Kerry openly shares her journey on taking a leap in her career to follow a loud calling to bring Emma’s Torch to life. Through the journey, she has evolved as a leader and shares what she’s learned along the way. Leadership is not a solo act and she continues to learn every day through collaboration and listening to her colleagues and students. It is through determination and her endless curiosity to question the status quo that defines her leadership style. And no matter what, community runs deep in Kerry’s ethos and it has continued to remain one of her pillars in her professional life that comes back to on a daily basis. I’m so excited for everyone to be just as inspired as I am by Kerry!Kerry’s resources that are in her toolkit:Happiest Advantage BookThink Again BookBréne Brown books and podcastsAdam Grant podcastLiz Moody podcastand running to clear her mind A little more about Kerry:Kerry Brodie is the founder and Executive Director of Emma’s Torch. Since its launch in 2016, Emma’s Torch has opened multiple locations in New York City and has recently expanded operations to Washington, DC. Kerry’s passion for sustainable business models has played an important role in Emma’s Torch’s growth. She believes in being mission-driven and data-informed. Her interest in philanthropic R.O.I. has kept the organization laser-focused on ensuring program graduates get the best possible outcomes: to pursue their own goals and attain financial freedom.Since founding Emma’s Torch, Kerry has had the opportunity to grow her leadership at the intersection of culinary arts and social advocacy. She is a recipient of a Gaudium Award from the Breukelein Institute and was a 2020 JWI Woman to Watch. She has been featured on CNN Heroes, The Forward 50, City & State’s 40 Under 40, and 36 Under 36–among many others.Kerry is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education, where she received the Wusthof Award for Leadership and was named the ACCSC Graduate of the Year. She holds a Master’s in Government from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University.About Emma’s Torch:Emma’s Torch is a non-profit social enterprise. They provide refugees with in-depth culinary training as well as employability, equity, and empowerment training. Throughout the program, they learn in both a classroom and apprentice setting, thanks to their cafes and catering businesses. They set them up for successful employment in an industry in which their cultural heritage and cuisine can be celebrated. What’s more, they provide a community in which their students can build supportive relationships. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

We have been taught to be people pleasers. It's ok, we all have this tendency in some way, shape or form.We are humans and we seek recognition and validation, and gosh do we get nervous to stir the pot and shake things up. I see it all too often, leaders that tell me they just want their teams to think of them as nice. And this is where I stop them and share what a nice leader is and why they should be thriving to be kind VS nice.Kindness comes from a curious place, an open heart, and allows us to learn and grow. It is uncomfortable because it does not welcome in people pleasing tactics. Kind leaders set boundaries and keep them, leans into sticky coaching conversations knowing that it's an opportunity to learn and teach, and know that this will build trust and growth for everyone - including the guests.Learn more about the different of nice VS kind in this episode.You can find more resources at theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com to support you in moving from a nice to a kind human and leader. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to Hospitality from Within Podcast. We all have our own story and path that has made us who we are today and who we are evolving into. I hope this episode inspires you to follow your heart and passion. When I look at who and where I am today, I can easily connect the dots backwards to understand why I took each road untraveled and they all lead me to being the coach, professor, and leader that I am today. It took a lot of leaps, learning how to be ok in the uncomfortable and understanding that I have an insatiable curiosity that has pushed me to follow my passion in supporting hospitality professionals. Visit theschool.www.onlyyummyalways.com for more resources, workshops and coaching support. Get full access to Hospitality From Within at kimlerner.substack.com/subscribe