Answering the Call: An Unexpected Encounter That Inspired Me to Hire Myself

After finishing a long night of work, where I had hustled to make delicious drinks and earned tips matching my effort, I decided to take an Uber home. My car was in the shop, and I wanted to avoid public transportation. I asked my driver, Abbas, to stay on the phone until I found his car at the corner. We hit it off right away, and I was impressed by his kindness when he offered me a bottle of water.

During our ride, Abbas shared his experiences of trying to break into the hospitality industry since he arrived in America from India five years ago. He had tried once or twice but got discouraged by naysayers who pointed out what he deemed his disadvantages, such as his accent. Abbas went into detail about how this shaped his disappointment as he decided to pursue other ventures. I was shocked and unwilling to allow him to believe the negative talk.

I shared savvy tips to help Abbas get ahead of the pack, and he was motivated and appreciative of my energy and enthusiasm so late at night.

You could tell that faith was restored in him by hearing someone motivate him instead of setting restrictions on his beliefs. I was happy to help, and that night reminded me how refreshing it feels to remind someone else that they can do it. Abbas reminded me that pursuing my dreams and keeping a winning attitude is never too late. With this rekindling of inspiration, I decided to share my tips to help other people like Abbas, who might need more than experience but just a friendly reminder that they can do this.

This unexpected encounter resulted in me writing the book “Unlocking the Hospitality Industry: How to Land Your First Job, Ace Interviews, and Excel from Day One.” I remember how determined I was despite lacking experience, but I had confidence in myself. Even if you are in a space where it’s not about getting a job, maybe you lack experience in other areas of your life. This is your reminder that it starts with you taking a step and being joyful on your journey.