As an employee in the hospitality industry for over 10 years, with experience from coast to coast, I thought I’d seen it all. That is, until I met Ken & Jeannette of Buenos Dias Cafe in downtown Atlanta. My years of working in this industry had taught me a lot about people, but more specifically it taught me about an ever growing trend of high employment turnovers and mismanagement. Too often, employers are so focused on their bottom line and the revolving door of the this industry that they forget that everyone has a story. A dishwasher may be the low man on the totem pole but their worth is still the same as any other. Their struggle and work ethic could even be greater than any other employee. But how would you know, if you never chose to care. Employers in this industry have become so out of touch with their employees because they are inundated with young people figuring out their lives, still new to the job market, and applications piling up. They tend to treat employees like they are a dime a dozen and easily replaceable. Yet, even if that were true, when a person gives a year of their life to a company, don’t you believe thats worth something. I have been punished in the past for choosing my daughters well being over my job. I often felt trapped between my job and my most important responsibilities. Most of my employers have, in a nice way said, figure it out or we’ll find another. But the day I walked into Buenos Dias Cafe and met Ken and Jeannette, this opinion that I’ve had would change forever. All most of us want is appreciation. As a single mother with little to no childcare, I was searching for an opportunity. I had all the experience to run every aspect of a restaurant but very few employers in the industry that would work with my schedule. I brought my daughter with me to the interview, nervous because my past experience was that she was considered a “burden” to my prospective employers and I wasn’t at all prepared for their reaction. Not only did they welcome me and my daughter with open arms as well as feed her while I interviewed, they were excited to use my skills WHEN I was available to work. They told me not to work when she was not in school as it would be hard to find affordable childcare. They reassured me that she came first and that they wanted to build WITH me. I was amazed. After working there for about a week, I realized I wasn’t the only one they cared about like this. Ken and Jeanette have a staff of 75% college students with which they accommodate all of their school schedules. They stay on top of their staff, not so much with work related stuff, but making sure they got to class on time or ate before they left. They allow their students to do 2 hour shifts in between classes so they can earn money while in school. They hired a dishwasher who was living in a shelter who deserved a chance. Everyday that he comes in, Ken asks him if he wants a cup of coffee and Jeannette makes sure he has food to take with him when he leaves. It’s less about the bottom line and more about taking care of the people that show up for them everyday. They are the true testament to what the corporate world is missing. They have an 80% customer retention and everyone that enters feels at home. As a result they are growing and expanding while others around them are closing their doors. If more employers cared like Ken and Jeannette, this world and the people in it would live a better quality of life. Come see for yourself and support the good in the world. Buenos Dias Cafe, Located at 30 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Sereniti Sparkles 