| For some time, I've needed to hire someone to help me create the baklava I am so proud of, but fear, my need for control, and working from home held me back for so long. I have always strove for perfection, and the only way I could ensure that, was by doing it myself. That approach makes no business sense at all. If Sheer Ambrosia is to grow, allowing me to share my passion with more people, I've known deep down that I would eventually need to hire and teach others my way of making baklava. And besides, this is part of the reason I invested so much money on a new commercial kitchen! The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program, which I mentioned in the last newsletter, helped me push aside my fear and take the necessary steps to move forward.
Once I was determined to hire someone, I took advice from an awesome customer-turned-friend, Rob Brunt. Years ago, he suggested I consider hiring from the Afghan community he had affiliations with through his church. This idea was brilliant for many reasons. Firstly, Afghanistan has baklava in its culture, so anyone I hire would likely be familiar with and not intimated by phyllo dough, the thinnest dough in the world. Secondly, I wanted to hire women, especially responsible moms who might need a part-time job. Lastly, I have experience working with immigrant women from my first successful business, Amigo Travel. They were hardworking, grateful to have good jobs and were instrumental in helping my co-founder and I build a world class company.
On May 30, I hired my first baklava assembler from Afghanistan. For cultural, religious, and personal preference she prefers to stay anonymous and does not want her photo taken. While she speaks little English, we make it work. She understands some, but it’s the language of baklava that makes all the difference. On her first day, I set up two workstations facing each other, and through our expressions, eye contact, counting, smiles and observations, she got it!
She is a mother, has a kind heart and a strong work ethic. She assembles baklava, washes dishes, folds boxes, and keeps everything clean and tidy so I can focus on other aspects of the business.
During her interview, which she attended with her teenage daughter as translator, she told me she only spoke 3% English. I decided to give her a chance anyway. I know what it's like to live in a foreign country and not completely understand the systems and language. It's been over a month now, and I love having her here. Although I can't communicate with her as much as I’d like, maybe that’s a good thing because we get so much work done. Ha! Ha! I will satisfy my curiosity later as her English improves. The good news is we make an excellent team. We work well together, and it feels like this was meant to be. So, welcome to the Sheer Ambrosia family. I hope she will be part of our growth for many years to come. |
