Permanently at Proto's

It all began in July 2007, I was resigning at TimeZone Youth Center as the Administrative Director in a few weeks. It was a nice, warm starry summer night, I was hungry and I was with good company. I was with a few friends one late Sunday night, while in a small downtown like Boise, every store and restaurant was close, but one. I was hungry and dragged my friends to join me to enter into Proto's pizzaria. We sat outside in the patio for a late night dinner.

After looking at their menu, I began to scope out their place and the feel of the restaurant's atmosphere. A random urge came to me, and I realized I was going to be unemployed in a few weeks. I thought well, I could work as a server while looking for another job. So, I rescanned the menu, and it looks simply delicious. It's a great fun and laid back atmosphere to be. The staff were friendly. It felt like a real cool place to be, so why not ask someone if they were hiring. When I asked the question, if they were hiring? That's when I met Chris Stackpole, the great GM. He responded saying, "Just for you, I can make it happen. Why not come in next Monday afternoon." I sharply said, "Sure!" Then, I thought, what the heck am I thinking! Don't I need some time off, like a vacation for a month after working so hard from directing a youth center all year long? But to be honest with you, I had no clue what was next in my life. I had no clue what I had ahead of me.

Over a year has gone by, I still work at Proto's This year I was offered the opportunity to be an assistant manager. I took the offer, and I am currently juggling two jobs. As for now with our economy and my lack of clear direction, I feel I have found my element for this chapter of my life.
So far, I love what I do. I love managing and empowering people. I have enjoyed being able to orchestrate an entire crew in the midst of a demanding, busy and hungry customers. Oh, what a combo. It like a ship captain stirring his ship to move onward, whether the weather was stormy or gliding through a quietly clam scenery.

But I still wonder what's next... How will I stay in this type of job? If anything, this new management job has confirmed my passion in life. I guess, I will just need to be a good steward of today and let tomorrow come...