This post brought to you by National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Small Biz Daily.
I’ve been consulting, motivating and talking to small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs for more than 30 years. In all that time, one thing hasn’t changed: The number-one business most people want to start is a restaurant.
It’s easy to see why owning and operating a restaurant has so much appeal. Who wouldn’t enjoy the creativity, stimulation and joy of making people happy, bringing families together and not only feeding bodies, but lifting spirits? Yes, that’s what restaurants can do.
If you dream of owning or running a restaurant, my advice is “Start on the ground floor.” Taking an entry-level job at a restaurant is the best way to learn the skills you need to succeed not only in the restaurant business, but as an entrepreneur in general.
Skeptical? Check out the Food and Beverage Service Competency Model the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) created, illustrating the personal and professional skills people gain from working in the restaurant industry. Do decision-making abilities, motivation and flexibility sound like qualities that an entrepreneur needs? You’re right—and you can build all of these skills in a restaurant job.
Restaurant workers agree that the restaurant industry offers a world of opportunity. In NREAF research, 8 out of 10 restaurant employees and 9 out of 10 restaurant owner/operators believe the industry gives people from all backgrounds the chance to own their own business. More than 8 in 10 restaurant employees say the restaurant industry gives people the chance to succeed based on their own hard work.
Are you a hard worker with a dream of being your own boss? The restaurant industry is the perfect place for you to start making that dream come true.
