Realizing My Passion

I have less than a handful of friends that I could speak to openly about my part time business. Not many people grasp the concept of freedom as I learned to do over the past couple of months... and I don't blame them. Growing up, my mother always had multiple jobs at once. From as far back as I could remember, she would take me with her (no babysitter), usually when she was involved in housekeeping. I was learning how to clean as soon as I started walking. She also had a hand in selling everything from vacuums to jewelry. When my godmother came to live with us to help my mom out with watching me, I would wake up in the morning and see her for less than 30 minutes until she rushed off to start one of her jobs. And usually, I'd be asleep by the time she got home.

I grew up thinking that not only was it normal to work for money, it was normal to work 10-14 hours a day. So when I finally got a full time job, I was looking at 12-14hr days, voluntarily. It wasnt required of me, but, again, it seemed normal. As I got older (and less willing to be responsible), I hopped from job to job, staying only as long as it interested me, which never exceeded five months. Sure, the jobs started off on a fun start, but the tasks were mundane... and slowly I grew to realize that I took the greatest joy out of interacting with people while lending them a hand. From getting them coffee as a receptionist to making sure a family received the best service... even when I was only a hostess.

For four years, my goal was to take over or own a hotel. I loved the simple-yet-not-so-simple task of taking care of others. I always liked making sure people were comfortable, even in my own home. You would never step foot in my apartment without being offered a drink. So when I had decided then that I wanted a career in hospitality, I made it a goal to get my foot in the door, get enough experience and eventually move up in the industry. The only thing was, I realized that I wanted nothing to do with the hotel's finances. I did not care about the numbers, revenue, costs. My main focus was making sure I made each guest feel welcome, comfortable and taken care of.

It was The Blackhole that opened my eyes to the reality of the industry. Sure, I was taking care of guests in the way my job description let me, but it wasnt the most fulfilling once a guest checks out. Their stay had no long-lasting effect on their lives. And that's when my mom came to me with an important request. At her age, looking close to retirement, she asked me to at least get the license required so when she decided to stop working (or God forbid something happened to her), everything she worked for would not be lost to a "stranger". Though I was focused on hospitality, she didnt have to say anything more. I did what she asked in a heartbeat for the sake of all the years she was working to raise me.

I thank my mother everyday for introducing me to the opportunity. Through it, I realized my potential, my purpose and how big of a heart I have. It may sound corny, but I mean every word and I dont regret for a second any of the decisions I've made to pursue my goals. I believe that through helping families that life will reward me in ways that The Blackhole, nor any other employer, could never do. I'm not meant to work for anyone else anymore. And I refuse to.