Entrepreneurs are all around us, and I'm no exception. They're, in part, the reason you and I have a choice for what we wear, what we eat, where we work, and how we do what we do.
But that's not what this post is about.
This post is about my first part-time job as a prep cook at Valentino's Pizza, the best walk-in and delivery option for pizza, subs, and salads in the Richmond City Area and Chesterfield (Virginia).
My time as part of this small family-owned and operated business is the best up-close experience I have with the restaurant industry and the work ethic of an entrepreneur.
The owner (an Egyptian immigrant and all-around great guy, who I won't name, since I haven't asked his permission to do so) often came in and expedited the line personally, putting in extra hours. He paid himself. He made sure we all got paid. He made sure that he got the best deals on ingredients. He made sure that the ratio for money spent on labor didn't become untenable (sometimes resulting in one of us cooks going home early). He hired managers that were competent enough to do all this, too, and help train me. And I got to take home leftovers most nights.
So, yeah, I would say that my view on what it means to run a business was heavily influenced by my time at Valentino's. I started working there, partially because I always wanted to try cooking outside my home kitchen, and now I'm inspired to try self-employment in the food industry. While I think I have the aptitude for the numbers required of small business owners, I'm pretty sure I want to minimize the customer service requirements (Valentino's stayed open to 3:00 AM, guys, and you do NOT want to know what kinds of people walk in to order 20 wings in the witching hour).
I'm making this blog to help motivate me to start a catering and private chef one-man operation. I'm also making this blog in conjunction with an entrepreneurship class at the University of Florida, which I hope to leverage for applicable information for my startup and future brand.
(The image is me in the middle with the owners of Valentino's and one of the delivery drivers.)
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ReplyDeleteHey Aditya!
ReplyDeleteI really love the personal touch to this post. You managed to make entrepreneurship seem like a life-style and not just work. I loved seeing how your first hand experience with a local entrepreneur ignited your passion for cooking. I especially thought your comment about "the witching hour" was quite funny.
I would have loved to gain some insight on why you signed up for this class specifically.
Great job.