20/12/2022
Breanne Beal is our Service Industry Spotlight Award Winner this month! Congratulations, Breanne! Here's her story:
SERVICE INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT WINNER BREANNE BEAL
December’s Service Industry Spotlight Award winner is Brewster Street Icehouse General Manager Breanne Beal. We caught up with Breanne (which wasn’t easy because this girl is always running) for an interview.
Edge: How long have you been working in the service industry? Where did you start out and in what position?
Beal: I have been working in the service industry for 10 years. My first job was at a local bar and grill back in Baytown, TX called Pipeline, I was a server there. Then my next job was as a bartender/cart girl at a golf course and that was a super fun summer job (highly recommend!).
E: What are your favorite aspects of working in the service industry?
B: A couple of my favorite aspects of working in the service industry are the challenges that it brings. Your day is never going to be the same, there will always be new problems to adjust to and figure out. Another one would be is that there are ALWAYS different faces and names to meet. I cannot even begin to tell you how many different people I have met and stories I have heard from all over the world from working in the hospitality/service industry. I even got to wait on GEORGE STRAIT once!
E: You recently switched positions from party planning to being a general manager at BSI. How has your life changed?
B: Good question.. When I was the event manager I used to think I was NEVER home, but I am truly NEVER home now. Lol. And even when I am home I feel like I am missing something and should be at work. I get up get dressed, go to work, come home, sleep and repeat. With a few cups of coffee here and there. I have forced myself to develop a FOMO for work, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
E: What’s the secret to being a good leader?
B: I believe the secret to being a good leader is being able to teach. There are a lot of things that I have learned over the past few years and being able to give that knowledge to my employees, coworkers and even friends, to help better their lives and to get them directed towards their goal(s) is something I will forever be grateful for because the leaders in my life have also given that to me. Which, I know for a fact, has helped me get to where I am today.
E: What’s the secret to being a good employee?
B: The secret to being a good employee is dedication. There are a lot of long and tiring days, and times that you just want to throw in the towel and be done, but showing perseverance through the hard days, showing up, getting the job done, or more than just the basics of the job done goes a long way. And even though, sometimes as an employee, it might seem like the dedication goes unnoticed, but I promise it doesn’t.
E: I’m sure that over your tenure at BSI you’ve seen many great shows. Which was your favorite?
B: My favorite show has been our last Pecos and the Rooftops show in November. I remember seeing them here last year when the Icehouse was hardly full. This year they sold out, everyone was having a great time and the vibe in the Icehouse when “This Damn Song” was played was unreal. Also, it is always such a great feeling to see the band grow on our stage from show to show.
E: Who would be your dream band to perform at BSI and why?
B: Tough one. I am going to have to go with Cross Canadian Ragweed (And they have to sing Fightin’ For.) I didn’t really get into their music until they separated, but I feel like if they came back around it would be SUCH a great show!
E: How do you build a good party? Why is BSI a good location for a party? What services do you provide that set you above your competitors.
B: To build a good party there requires a lot of patience and flexibility. Your RSVP’s are never going to be timely and the weather will almost always play a factor in your event (especially in Corpus). BUT as long as there is cake and a few drinks, I would say that really is the key to having a great party. Oh, and a good DJ (or just a good playlist).
E: What’s your favorite food on the menu? Do you like it prepared a special way?
B: I am not a picky person, so I normally flip flop on my lunches and dinners here at Brew. I would say I normally gravitate to our Chop Steak, with gravy on the side.
E: What was the most useful thing you learned in school? What lesson helps you every day?
B: Looking back, and just realizing this now, I think the most useful thing I learned in school was working in teams. I hated team work back in school, but it actually is the one thing that helps you adapt to working with others in a workplace setting. A lesson that helps me every day came from a General Manager at Olive Garden. One morning during a pre-shift meeting, he was telling us about how important it is to make a connection with your guests. He explained to us that you do not always know what they have going on in their life (we worked close to a few hospitals) and how meaningful a conversation could be for someone who might not be having the best day. Simply by asking how their day is going, what plans they have for the holidays, even just a smile or a joke about the weather can go a long way for someone who just needs a moment out of their day. I have had this happen to me a handful of times and seeing how it can turn someone’s day around, can make a server’s job feel more meaningful than just making another transaction.
E: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
B: If I could travel anywhere in the world I would want to go to Rio de Janeiro, but specifically during Carnival. I love to travel, but I think completely immersing yourself in different cultures, especially such a well-known festival would be a once in a lifetime experience.
E: Favorite cocktail at BSI?
B: Hmmm. I love our Summer Shandys. It’s Deep Eddy Lemon, Karbach Love Street and a splash of Lemonade. Perfect for the summer!
E: Any family members or friends you’d like to give a shout out to?
B: Yes! My mom and dad, they have been my biggest support with anything I have wanted to do in my life, and they have helped me so out so much. I wouldn’t know where I would be without them and their guidance. Also, my friends. They keep me sane.
E: What’s the worst trouble you ever got into (or the funniest)?
B: I wouldn’t consider this as trouble, but when I am out and about with friends I ALMOST ALWAYS end up falling and hurting myself. It never fails. I feel like we have all made a game about how long into the day or night it is going to take me to fall.
