When Life Hands You Lemons... A Note of Gratitude

I don’t know how many folks I’ve told that I have the best job in the world. I almost felt guilty, as so many responded that they never hear that anymore or how refreshing it was to hear someone say that.

I was recently offered a promotion and had a few days to make a big decision. However, I would have to relocate to another state or I would have two weeks left.

My #girlboss wife, Kayla, has a career of her own. As I shared with our leadership team… as successful as I am, my wife is 10x more successful and incredible. She is a fashion designer here in LA and has even traveled to China multiple times, often by herself. I’ve watched her grow and take on challenge after challenge, success after success. (Ask me how many times I've walked into Target just to see her latest work.)

I couldn’t even fathom asking her to throw in the towel on her career over mine. 

We spent a couple of sleepless nights trying to figure out how to make this work. If I moved and she stayed in LA, maybe we could make this whole long-distance-marriage-thing work for a couple of years. We very quickly laughed at ourselves for even spending the energy thinking about how that would work. If there is one thing we know, it’s that there is nothing better than family and there is no price tag that could change that.

I’m disappointed that there were so many projects and initiatives that I wanted to see through. At the same time, I’m so proud of what I conquered during my time at Lemonade and I know that I left her in a better place than when I started. I’ve spent the last few days going through all of the emotions, thinking about what an insane roller coaster ride it has been, and I keep ending at gratitude. 

I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to work with an iconic LA-hospitality brand and restaurant group.

I’m grateful for all of my past and present colleagues and friends. 

I’m grateful for the many sleepless nights and the celebrations, the big wins, the many learnings, the difficulties and the challenges, and all of the fun we had. 

I’m grateful for the results and that we steered the ship back onto her course.

I’m grateful for it all.

To my mentors: 

Ian Olsen - What an honor it has been working for a brand that you built. I am so grateful to be one of the privileged few who had the chance to learn and work side-by-side with you. (Even when you blow the air-horn randomly in the office…) Thank you for your vision and for welcoming me in to experience it. I can hear you tell the Lemonade story now and will carry that passion and much more with me for a long time. As you say, “Be Bold. Be Proud. Be in the Now.”

Ame Hull - Thank you for your steadfast leadership, constant support, and partnership. I can’t think of one phone call that you did not pick up on the first ring, regardless of day or time. And, it takes an exceptional leader to handwrite birthday cards for the company (and have it arrive on time, even when you’re out of the country. This happened with my first Lemonade birthday and I have that card to this day).

To my Sales & Marketing Team - Thank you for inspiring me daily. There were no bad days with you and I can only hope I’m able to experience a fraction of the love we all shared for each other with my next team. Keep spreading that Lemonade magic and celebrate who we are and what we do - because that’s what makes us Lemonade. (And - keep driving those sales!)

To the rest of the Lemonade Home Office Team - Thank you, thank you, thank you. There’s no one else that could do what we do and I have been playing back so many priceless moments. (Remember pears vs plums?! Ha! I’ll laugh about that one for years to come.)

To our Store Leaders - There’s a reason our guests keep coming back and that’s all because of you. Keep finding moments to show ‘em why Forbes named us one of the top innovative brands. 

To our Leadership Team, Modern Market, and Modern Restaurant Concepts - I know you already know but I will always be standing on the sidelines, proudly cheering you all on as loudly as I can. And who knows, maybe our paths will cross again sooner than we know.

With that, I am proud to say I am looking for my next marketing role within the hospitality / fast-casual / restaurant space in Los Angeles or Orange County. I am a dedicated, loyal, creative, results-driven, go-getter-problem-solver who doesn’t back down from any challenge, no matter how big or small. Whether you know of a position in-house or with an agency, I’d love to connect and see if we make a great fit. And if nothing else, I would love to grab a cup of coffee and talk shop.

As we always say - when life hands you lemons, Make Lemonade.