Small Business & Productivity
I may not be running a hospitality business myself, but I am running a small business. Some of our challenges are different but finding the time to accomplish all of our goals is universal. Here are my tips and ideas for saving time, running a small business, and getting the most out of those work hours.
Talking Copy & Photography on The Savory Shot Podcast
Time to update my scrapbook, because last month saw the release of Baby’s First Podcast guest spot! I had the absolute pleasure of talking with Mica McCook, Austin-based food photographer and host of The Savory Shot photography podcast. Mica takes absolutely magical food photos for restaurant owners, marketers, and cookbook creators. Her use of light is truly spectacular, making the food absolutely leap off the screen. We had a delightful chat all about… As it was my first time on a podcast, I definitely learned a few things. First of all, I talk too fast. 😬 And second, I could get to the point sooner. But those caveats aside, it’s…
How to Work With Freelancers: 9 Tips for Better Project Results
Ever said some version of the following? “It’s so hard to find good freelancers.” “Freelancers just don’t feel like part of the team.” “Freelancers aren’t reliable enough.” Through my freelance career, I’ve worked with dozens of small businesses. And I’ve learned that the success of freelance gigs comes down to a lot more than how well the contractor knows their stuff. Here’s what potential clients should know about how to work with freelancers for a happy, productive relationship and projects you’ll both be proud of. 1. Get Crystal-Clear on the Project Details in Advance—Every Time A new freelancer/business owner relationship is a bit like dating. You’re getting to know each…
How to Respond to Online Reviews in 10-ish Minutes Per Day
Last week, I went to a fancy restaurant with my husband for a nice dinner. I put on a dress, a little makeup, and (gasp) actually did something with my hair. So this was clearly a special occasion. When we got to the restaurant, we were told that there would be an hour wait, even though we had a reservation. An inauspicious beginning, but these things happen. So we found a place to wait. After an hour and 15 minutes, we were finally sat. And we sat. And sat. And sat. For another 20 minutes before we were approached to place our drink order. Which came out wrong. Then we…
Can Task Batching Work for Hospitality Pros?
It’s a crummy feeling. You started the day with a fire under your butt and pep in your step. You were going to accomplish all the things. But then that early site visit ran long, or a colleague pulled you into an unexpected meeting. You went looking for that one email, and ended up spending an hour bogged down in the inbox. By the end of the day, you’ve been running hard, busy busy busy. But nothing is checked off the list and you don’t feel like you’ve made any progress. This is a universal problem in our highly connected world. Every email, text message, Slack notification, or social media…
How to Prioritize Restaurant Employee Wellness
Once upon a time, I worked at a high-volume shot bar in downtown Boston. The hours were incredibly long, the place had three stories, and the patrons weren’t always very nice. So it could be a tough job. Male customers and bachelorette parties high on sisterhood often offered to buy us shots behind the bar, which we were allowed to take with manager approval. But there was also usually a little secret vodka mixed in with our sodas, which we sipped throughout the night just to make it to 2:00 AM. At this bar, I had a coworker we’ll call Steph. Steph was a lot of the things you’d want…
Want to hire a freelancer? Here’s where to start.
So you think you need to hire a freelancer. Maybe you need some specialized help that no one on your staff can provide. Or maybe you need to scale up your team a bit, but not enough to justify a full-time employee. There are more freelancers on the market today than ever before, to the tune of 57 million writers, designers, bookkeepers, videographers, and a ton more. So if you’re staring into the sea of talent unsure where to start, here are some steps you can take to get your freelancer hunt off to a good start. Make your wishlist Before you can hire a freelancer, you have to determine…
Remote Work Tips in the Time of COVID-19
Remote work can be lonely. Long hours of solitude and no one to bond with can contribute to depression and other mental health issues. Still, for many of us, the benefits of working at home outweigh the challenges. So we’re willing to figure out how to make it work. But now we’re in this bizarre situation where people who had no intention of becoming remote workers are stuck at home, trying to do their part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While it sometimes sounds fun to work from home, the current state of affairs is jarring for those who weren’t prepared for it. And the lack of a schedule,…
One Year Down as a Freelance Writer — Here’s What I’ve Learned
Today, February 18th, marks the one year anniversary of the day I started freelancing. Over the past 12 months, I’ve worked with about 35 different clients, set up this website and blog, and learned a ton about writing, marketing, and SEO. There is still so much to learn, but I wanted to jot down a few of the lessons that working as a freelance writer has taught me since I started, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, back in February 2019. Having a niche is good…except when it isn’t I like to write for the food, beverage, and hospitality industries because it’s the field where I have the most interest and experience. I…
10 Questions to Ask Yourself if You Want to Work from Home
So you think you want to work from home. Maybe you’re about to start freelancing full time. Or maybe your office is closing, but the company is keeping you on. It sounds great. Work in your underpants, no small talk, play whatever music you want…what’s not to like? But like most things in life, what sounds great from the florescent lights of your cubicle may not be all it’s cracked up to be once it becomes your life every day. While I personally enjoy working from home, I can certainly see why it’s not meant for everyone. So I’ve put together a little quiz/blog to help you figure out whether…
