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What advice would you give yourself when you were just starting out?

I am in a trade school and will be taking office administration classes but I want to eventually open my own restaurant and am unsure of where to even begin this journey.

career-path business-development small-business administration
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Yashakita A (Ana)’s Answer

If I could give my younger self advise it would be to see every job as a learning opportunity. Most people rarely start off in their dream job or even in the industry in which they want to work. That being said, just because it's not in your field of choice doesn't mean there isn't knowledge to be gained. I'd also say no to limit yourself. Even if working in corporate America isn't your final destination don't pass up chances to promote or grow within that space simply because you're viewing it as a temporary stop. Lastly, take ownership of your development. If you're not getting what you need from your current job don't be afraid to seek outside resources that will teach you what you need to know. Finding out what kind of licenses and certifications you'll need to work in your desired field is a great place to start.
Thank you comment icon I appreciate your support, Yashakita A (Ana) Katlin
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Elam B.’s Answer

Hello Katlin,

I think the first step is to choose the type of restaurant that you want to open. After you choose that, find someone with that type of restaurant and see if you can speak with them and ask them some questions about what they did to open their business. Basically find someone in your local area or virtually that can be a possible mentor for you. There are many people on social media that don't mind giving advice in the area that you are interested. The hardest part is asking them because sometimes the youth don't want to ask someone about their business because you may feel like the person won't help you. When in actuality, most people in business don't mind helping others because we remember when we were your age trying to get started in the respective business.

Another topic to consider is how will you fund or have the money to open the business.
*Will you pay out of pocket?
*Will you get a loan from a bank ?
And the good thing is that the mentor that I discussed earlier will be able to provide you a good ball park figure of how much money will be needed to start the business.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it. Katlin
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Chirayu’s Answer

When starting out, my advice to myself would be to focus on building a solid understanding of the basics and to practice consistently. It's also important to not get discouraged by mistakes or setbacks, and to always strive to learn and improve. Additionally, I would suggest to be open-minded and to explore different approaches and techniques, as this can lead to new insights and possibilities.
Thank you comment icon Your advice was so helpful! Katlin
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Milly’s Answer

I would say, take more chances! Do not let fear take away from reaching your full potential. If you fail with taking a chance or risk learn from it and move forward.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” – Nelson Mandela
Thank you comment icon Milly, thank you! Katlin
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Tammie’s Answer

I would tell my younger self to focus on what interest me the most. When I was in high school I initally wanted to be a teacher. After taking some business courses I was attracted to the business field and also had the opportunity to apply for business internship over the summer and truly found my love for business. So I would suggest to stay true to what inspires you and holds your interest and follow that direction.
Thank you comment icon I appreciate your support, Tammie Katlin
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Olivia’s Answer

I would have told my younger self to do what I truly love. It's hard to do the things you love sometimes but I drifted into what other people said I was good at. I went into Technology Sales when I was really an artist or designer. The money attracted me and it has been nice over the years. However, I've finally changed into a new field that I much prefer but it took me years to make the career change. I spent 18 years hating what I did and I was successful but I used my weaknesses not my strengths. Therefore, I recommend you try do what you love.
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Olivia! Katlin
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Jenny’s Answer

My best piece of advice for just starting out would be to be a sponge. Soak up all the knowledge you can around you and treat every opportunity as a way to further your learning. Each experience you encounter will prepare you in a different way for your future plan and teach you vital skills to be successful in a multitude of cases you may potentially face again. For that reason, but your 100% into everything you decide to do and don't regard anything as unnecessary or useless. I think it's a wonderful thing that you already have a clear vision on what career you want to take in the future and are actively taking steps to achieve that goal. Those office administration classes will definitely help you navigate the business side of obtaining funding and running your restaurant. It would also be beneficial to take some finance-specific classes to help you budget for your restaurant and remain financially solvent.

Jenny recommends the following next steps:

Determine a distinct and unique restaurant concept
Get informed on the legal side of running a restaurant (licenses, permits, register business, workers rights, etc.)
Create a budget
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Jenny! Katlin
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Uruj’s Answer

I would have told my younger self that we end up finding what we are truly passionate about, which is public health! I spent so many years struggling to think of a career path that I would enjoy and care about dearly, I ended up starting off in college as a biology major just because I had no idea where my other interests were. I then learned about public health and my world expanded.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for taking the time to help. Katlin
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Blondell’s Answer

My advice to my younger self is to be open to explore! Although we set out with dreams of ideal, be open to widening the spectrum of adventure. Inclusively make connections and be inquisitive. Don't underestimate your potential nor the level of incline. Connect with your true passion, don't try to be someone you are not. I have several key fundamentals regarding growth - 1> Have a positive outlook on life. Be open-minded and embrace learning/opportunities for growth. 2> Have a positive attitude regarding challenges accepting them as learning opportunities not failures. 3> Value You! Recognize your ability to LEARN, GROW & DEVELOP. 4> Set goals, focus on them and take action to accomplish them. 5> Reflect on your progress and C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E! No matter how small or large, progress is progress. 6> Be resilient. Remain motivated in the face of adversity. With a growth mindset, you can unlock your potential and achieve your goals.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much for the advice. Katlin
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Kim’s Answer

I would tell myself to learn how to be a "sociable" person. I'm not a people-person, not into small-talk, etc. But so many business relationships develop over non-work activity - office Christmas parties, weddings, funerals, going to football games, or whatever.

I would also tell myself to stop being so hard on myself, and not be afraid of failure, for it is only by trying things "outside the comfort zone" that we grow.

And, to learn how to relax and have fun. I'm way too serious, even at home.

And finally, to stop throwing things away! Documents are relevant for other purposes. Right when you think it's okay to throw something away, a need for it will arise. Or, I guess in this age, everything could be scanned. But never ever think you won't need it again. Even 5 years after leaving a job!
Thank you comment icon Your advice was so helpful! Katlin
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Jack’s Answer

Hi Katlin,

You should be working in a kitchen as of yesterday. Starting working as a waitress, hostess, cleaning tables, dishes or prepping food; you need to do it all to see what a kitchen looks like. You need to experience the grind of a kitchen, restaurant; some managers or owners work long hours; need experience.

You will also need to learn how to run a business, so courses at a local community college or university would help the business side of it.

What kind of food do you wan to have at your restaurant?
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G’s Answer

As a younger me, I would pursue all of my interests no matter how big or small. Inorder to truly see if it was something I desired to do every day, possibly for the rest of my life. I would ask to shadow a work program of intrest or some sort of internship and see if it actually sparked my interest. I would get a complete understanding for the history of doing that job, their journey that led them to the current present day and their innovative goals, ideas and Inspirations for where they want to be in the future.

This would give me a general idea if their goals (the job) were something I would want to be a part of and developing with a positive consistent growth impact to help make both myself and the job relevant in the future.

For example: An art student from 1995 developing the idea of using computers for visual art/ graphic design, like Pixar. Not just charcoal pencils and paint.

Hope this helps!
Thank you comment icon Thank you! Katlin
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Christopher’s Answer

Find a career field that you are truly passionate about, one that allows you to be your authentic self.
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much, Christopher! Katlin
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David’s Answer

Hi,
Well, if I could tell my younger self anything, it would be the following:

1) Have a 5 year plan of action for what you want out of life and where you want to be. Map out a plan with short term goals and long term goals during that 5 year period.

If you eventually want to open your own restaurant, I suggest taking classes in Hospitality Management. These classes will assist you greatly in learning the in's and out's of the restaurant business. Also, study for the certifications in ServeSafe and other restaurant related fields. If you can work at a restaurant also and let the owners know you are interested in the business side of the industry so you can get hands-on experience.

Finally, live day to day and enjoy each day. Too many times we are looking to far ahead to live in the moment. This is critical to enjoying your life and unfortunately as a youth people forget to do this.

Hope this helps!
Thank you comment icon I appreciate you taking the time to answer this. Katlin
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