06/08/2026
Monday with Melinda,
Running a business isn't about avoiding challenges. Challenges are guaranteed.
There was a time when every unexpected problem made my knees buckle. Broken equipment. Power outages. Storms. Disgruntled employees. Staffing shortages. Call-outs on busy shifts. Every obstacle felt overwhelming because I wasn't always sure how we would get through it.
Today, my knees don't buckle anymore.
It's not because the challenges disappeared. Trust me, they haven't.
What has changed is my confidence that there is almost always a solution—and more importantly, there are people willing to help find it.
This weekend was a perfect example.
Out of nowhere, Vanessa, who worked for me about four years ago, reached out and said, "I see you need help on Saturday. How can I help?"
Just like that, she was back behind the bar.
Then we received a kitchen call-out. Before I could fully process the situation, Alyssa stepped forward and said, "Since Vanessa is here for the bar, I can jump into the kitchen and help. I have three years of back-of-house experience."
Problem solved.
But the real story isn't about bartending experience or kitchen skills.
It's about teamwork.
It's about people seeing a need and stepping up.
It's about employees supporting one another instead of saying, "That's not my job."
It's about creating an environment where people feel comfortable helping, adapting, and working together when challenges arise.
The greatest gift wasn't that the shifts got covered.
The greatest gift was the feeling of support.
As an owner, there are days when the responsibility feels heavy. We carry the weight of decisions, payroll, staffing, equipment failures, and countless unexpected hurdles.
This weekend reminded me that I don't carry it alone.
When people come together, support each other, and willingly step into the gaps, it calms the stress, eases the emotions, and reminds everyone that we're on the same team.
Vanessa and Alyssa may have thought they were helping the business this weekend.
What they may not realize is that they were helping me too.
And for that, I am incredibly grateful.
We have one part time opening in our BOH as a support specialist. Its a great summer job to learn everything from sanitation to prep or an opportunity to make Legends your new path to your full time. opportunity. PM for more details.
Much Love, Melinda
