I thought I’d feel differently when I got to this point, where I had to apply at McDonalds. I assumed that when I got to the point where I needed to apply for whatever job I could to make ends meet, that I’d feel devastated, but I don’t. Call me crazy but, I feel oddly empowered by the decision to put my hat in the ring for a General Manager position. I never thought I’d work in fast food. I spent a short stent as a hostess in a restaurant right out of high school and it was never my jam. So, fast food was never an “ideal” role in which I pictured myself. I also believe that sometimes, when the things you are doing over and over again stop working – it’s time to shake it up again.
This wasn’t the first job I’d applied to last year, but it’s the first one that made me excited for what’s to come. You might be asking – why is a business owner who believes in her business trying to get a job at McDonald’s and the short answer is – because Its time to shake things up and relieve some pressure.
A lesson for my kiddos.
In part, I’m considering this a lesson for my kids. When I was growing up my dad worked as a heavy equipment operator and my mom worked in customer service – a lot of the time at convenience stores. I remember the sacrifices that she made, and that I had to make so that we could pay the bills. While the rest of my family (the adults) support this decision. My 12-year-old daughter laughed at the thought of me working at McDonald’s, but I don’t feel the need to know why. (I suspect she pictured me in a hat and polo and it was very much out of her idea of who I am.) My son was excited. (I suspect he is imagining free golden salty fries at the end of my shifts.)
When I applied for my business loan through WWBIC – I told the board that I’d go get a job at McDonald’s if I needed to. I thought that I’d feel like I’d failed. Just the thought of being a business owner and having to give it up to go work for someone else’s business was hard enough to stomach, but the idea of working in the “dreaded fast food” industry felt like it would be a testament to my failure as a business owner and a coach.
Why I’m applying to McDonald’s.
Putting aside the judgments that I made, which I definitely see were somewhat classist despite me knowing where I come from. I do feel like I need to address this before we move on. Retail, fast food, and other “entry-level positions” get way too much energetic shade for the people who prep your food, are hard-working, efficient, and still greet your cranky ass in pajamas and messy bun with a smile. I know most of us aren’t going out talking shit about those positions – and I know I don’t judge anyone who works in those positions… however, the bias I had against taking a position in the industry, to begin with, is a testament to how we judge certain positions to not be a fit, or worse, to be beneath us.
That said, I decided to try something… anything. Listen, I’ve made mistakes. I could probably have a blog post for every mistake I’ve made in my business, but I’m not sure that will serve anyone… needless to say – between 2 years without a “consistent” income, $250k of debt, and 4 very large outstanding invoices from customers – I am not in the best shape financially. This happens in business. I started my business with a loan.
With this, I made investments in other companies so that I could start out “right.” Unfortunately – I didn’t think about how much a start-up shifts in the first two years. My focus has shifted a couple of times in trying to respond to markets, and while I was always focused on the mission, I stopped focusing on revenue because I believed that the opportunities I was chasing and the mission I was building would create the revenue in time. (That was probably the mistake, but I don’t regret it.)
Why I’m not devastated.
I have a lot to learn – despite being a successful sales leader, an operations manager, and a direct sales business owner, I know that there’s so much to learn about myself and my business. More importantly, I’m committed to making my business work, no matter what I have to do. I’m not giving up, but instead, proving to myself that this is worth going the extra mile. I also know that working at McDonald’s will not (ever) be a cakewalk. So I know that I will have so many learning opportunities there that I’ll be able to bring you so much more content about leadership and management.
It may not go anywhere.
Let’s be honest, I have a ton of experience in sales, and in corporate leadership but I have zero experience in restaurants especially in the fast food industry so the likelihood I’ll even get a call back on my application is minimal, despite my education and expertise in leadership. Plus, I’ve got some fantastic sales coming on black Friday which may eliminate the need to take that job.
The point
I feel like I’ve affirmed my commitment to my business. It might seem to others like I’m giving up, but it’s the opposite. This is me doubling down and saying “I need to pay bills, but I am so committed to this business that I will work my business AND get a full-time job on top of it to ensure that my family is taken care of and so is my business.” And that’s why I wanted to write this. If you’re struggling in your business right now and need to step away, it’s okay – it doesn’t mean you’ve given up on your dreams, only that you’re needing to take a different journey than you’d expected. But that is life isn’t it?
Hell, most of us decide to stop at McDonald’s on a road trip right? So if you need to make a pit stop, go for it. And if you need to talk it through, then feel free to book a call with me. Lets do what we have to do, and enjoy the journey, no matter where it takes us.
What’s next with McDonald’s
Well, nothing. McDonald’s wouldn’t even interview me, much less hire me. Twenty minutes after I wrote this blog I got the rejection email (less than 24 hours after I’d applied.) And since then, I’ve actually decided to surrender – I wrote a blog about that too. Because when I finally surrendered opportunities just started showing up. Giving me something to respond to. That said, I haven’t stopped applying for jobs, because you never know what opportunities might come up in the future. I also decided to start doing a few door dashing experiences that I can do in a few minutes a day and make some extra income to help pay down some of this debt. It’s not consistent but it’s flexible.
If I do ever get a callback or an interview and end up back in the workforce, there will be a few things that may need to change around my business, but I’m not going anywhere. I’m still committed to my clients, the members of my hub, and making a difference both in mental health and in the future of our country. I’m even more committed to the success of my family, and giving my kids the life that I never had, no matter what I have to do. And Don’t worry, if you’re a prospective employer – The employees I’ve worked with in the past, are still people I support and cheer on. That will never change because it’s part of who I am. It’s much easier to help others succeed than to let them fail.
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