It’s not that I’m nervous or anything—I know I’ve been saying I am to so many people, and of course that has to change, needing to manifest good vibes and whatnot—but more that I feel as though I’ve boarded a fast moving train without a conductor in sight.

All of a sudden I truly am in charge in a way and on a scale I’ve never faced before. However the track was built long ago and the vessel itself is something I’m familiar with, if only as its passenger. There will be a great many people I’ll be privileged to take on as new passengers, the landscape stretching before us indefinitely.

I wish for success in this new chapter of my life. Have I defined what it looks like? Yes, for the most part. Sometimes I paint success to be a picture of what I don’t want: large amounts of money and fame; multiple venues under my belt. I simply wish for this business to grow organically, to be of honest service to my guests, to be surrounded by people I love to work with, and to be a worthy client to my vendors.

It’s funny, the longer I work in hospitality the less jaded I’ve become. And I used to be—so very much. But now I’m hopeful, hungry. 📝