12/17/2022
What am I called to do in this world? Or, what is my purpose in life?
After working for the man for almost 3 decades, I came to realize that it is not employment. I always had a thing for hospitality - making others feel happy, appreciated, and welcome.
At the age of thirteen, I got my first job as a paper boy, outside of working on the farm and restaurant owned by my family. Every morning before school and on Saturdays, I had 53 newspapers to distribute. Additionally, I had to handle the publisher's monthly collections, so I went door-to-door each month to collect the subscription fees.
It taught me self-control and that if you want to advance in life, you must make sacrifices.
Once I realized that if I provide my workforce in the right place, I can make money to live on my own terms, I just kept going.
I mowed lawns, cleaned cars, and painted homes. I actually made pretty good money at a young age, and I was amazingly great at spending it faster than I earned it. I just wanted to live life to the fullest. Adventures await after all. And with that in mind, I could not wait to leave home and live by myself.
Hospitalty - my drug, my lover, my gateway to freedom - gave me exactly that. Through an apprenticeship in one of the best hotels in my home county in Germany, I lived in a boarding house with a bunch of other apprentices.
Back then my meaning of life was to run after bunnies and get drunk as often as possible. Little did I know that it all shaped and formed what I was supposed to do all along. I just wish I would have realized it earlier.
I needed to get out there, and I grabbed every opportunity that offered itself by the neck and I jumped right in.
Since there was no turning back and I had to work every weekend, holiday, and birthday going forward, I thought I should at least do it in style. Try to see as many places as you can, and consider working in tourist destinations.
My time line:
1996 graduated from culinary school with a Diploma
1997 10 months of mandatory military service
1998 Kaefer Partyservice GmbH, Munich GER
1999 Hotel Schreiberhof, Munich GER
2000 Half Moon, Montego Bay, Jamaica
2006 Hyatt Regency, Cologne GER
2007 Master Chef Certification, GER
2008 Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, USA
2009 KGNY, New York, USA
2011 Patina Restaurant Group, New York, NY
2012 Bronxville Field Club, Bronxville, NY
2015 Orienta Beach Club, Mamaroneck, NY
(our daughter is born)
2018 Naples Yacht Club, Naples, FL
(our son is born)
2019 started a side business while being employed
2020 entrepreneurship
2022 digital entrepreneurship
..Looking back today I am humbled by all my learnings, The pleasure of having met so many people through hospitality, and the professionals I was able to work alongside. I believe that my story, my experiences in life, and my journey can be of value to others.
Hence I decided to use my skills to help others achieve the freedom of entrepreneurship.
Do you feel stuck in your job right now?
What is it that you feel called to do in this world?
What is it that you are passionate about?
Thank you, thank you, thank you.