So Much More than Just a Career: Best Friends + Life Lessons
Meet Teara and Destiny, close friends who met while working at our Deptford, NJ Taco Bell. Teara says she only worked for Summerwood for about a year or so, and yet it led to a special lifelong friendship that’s now lasted 14 years. For some, a first job at Taco Bell goes a long way!
Now these two fun ladies are separated by distance — Destiny is the Restaurant General Manager at Deptford (aftermoving around to other restaurants over the years) and Teara recently moved down South to pursue her dreams in hair and cosmetology. We were lucky enough to observe an incredible energy between them. It was a great opportunity to find out what it’s like to work with best friends while chasing a career. Check out what they had to say:
Q: Destiny, you said, “Taco Bell has really given me my best friends in the world.” What’s it like to work where you love the people?
A: “It’s nice to feel like my “happy place” is work! The place I feel most secure, safe, appreciated, the most loved … is my place of work, which I don’t think many people can say.”
“This is legit my “happy place.” – Destiny, RGM
Q: Teara, working for a Summerwood Taco Bell can be so much more than just a job. What was that experience like for you?
A: “As crazy as it sounds, the experience really is like no other. When you think of a fast food job, you don’t think of a job that will teach you so much, or a job that will help you grow into the person you want to be.”
Q: Destiny, why are friendships at work so important?
A: “I have definitely been in predicaments in previous jobs where I was told, “you’re not here to make friends” or “you’rehere to work not for fun,” and I honestly believed that for a long time! But the past six years, opening myself up to the possibility that work can be more than just work, changed my perspective on life so much.”
“Taco Bell has really given me my best friends in the world.” – Destiny, RGM
Q: Teara, sometimes a first job is like a stepping stone. How has your time at Summerwood helped you to go after your real passion?
A: “It showed me to really think about what I want out of life; that in order to get it, I’ve got to be disciplined and steady. Being there taught me a lot of life lessons that have helped me grow into the person I am today.”
As for Destiny and Teara, though separated by miles, they continue to be involved in one another’s lives and visit when they can. Meanwhile, with youth on their side, they have much to look forward to in their careers.
Destiny’s interest in community engagement (see what fun she has with special events), social media and marketing have caught the attention of Summerwood. In fact, she was named our first Marketing Megaphone Award winner and has been invited to attend company marketing meetings. She plans to take college-level marketing courses and has applied for Summerwood’s tuition reimbursement.
Meanwhile, Teara is renting a booth at a hair salon in Tennessee, offering a variety of services from hair color to lash extensions. She says practicing patience, and trusting and listening to your team are two of the most important skills she learned while at Summerwood that will set her up for success on this new path. Here’s to the future, ladies!
