From First Job to Future Restaurateur: Meet Mowie M.
When Mowie M. walked into a Taco Bell as a 17-year-old looking for his first job, he was curious to see what the quick-service world was really like. What started as a chance to try something new quickly became something much bigger: a place where he discovered his passion for the work, built confidence and found a team he considers family.
Today, Mowie is a Shift Leader at our Summerwood Taco Bell in Parkesburg, PA and has his sights set firmly on what comes next.
“I want to run the store one day,” he shares with confidence.
For Mowie, the goal was never simply getting a new title – it was about proving to himself that he could lead a restaurant.
Starting From Scratch
Mowie started his Taco Bell journey at the Downingtown, PA location while his restaurant was still under construction. The team spent those early weeks learning the ropes and getting comfortable with the fast pace of the restaurant scene. Mowie quickly realized he liked the rush. Once the Parkesburg restaurant opened, though, he found something he liked even more: the people!
“I love the people I work with,” Mowie says.
Connecting with his team became a major part of why he wanted to stay and grow with us here at Summerwood.
“My family will tell you I love my job. I do anything for my job.”
– Mowie M., Shift Leader
The Drive to Lead
Mowie’s path from crew member to manager took patience and plenty of determination.
Since management roles require team members to be 18 or older and Mowie started at 17, he had to wait until his birthday to take the next step in his career. In the meantime, he focused on learning everything he could, taking on overtime and preparing himself for the opportunity he knew was coming.
“When I turned 18, I wanted to really shoot for it,” he says of becoming a manager. “So I just kept grinding.”
Through our Summerwood Academy, Mowie completed his Shift Leader training, followed it with manager classes and ultimately passed his final test to become a shift leader.
More Than a Job
Over time, Mowie discovered that working at Taco Bell was teaching him lessons that went far beyond the restaurant. One of the biggest was how to handle difficult moments with patience and kindness.
“If somebody comes at you and they’re yelling at you, their order’s made wrong, you don’t have to give them attitude,” he says. “Just talk to them.”
That mindset has also changed the way Mowie connects with the people around him. He says this job has helped him open up and become more comfortable being himself.
Learning to rely on his team has been another important part of becoming a leader. Mowie says that when he began putting his trust in his coworkers, they returned that trust to him. For someone who once preferred to keep to himself, the transformation has been significant.
A Big Vision for the Future
Mowie isn’t short on ambition. His long-term dream is to stay in the food industry and eventually open his own restaurant, complete with a bakery and a food truck. And he already has a vision for what that business will look like.
That vision is also deeply personal. Having experienced what it was like not to always have a vehicle, Mowie wants his future business to reach people who may have limited access to transportation. He even hopes to make sure people who are struggling can get a meal without worrying about whether they can afford it.
For now, Mowie is focused on making an impact where he is. He wants to put his Taco Bell on the map, showcase his team and make sure people across Summerwood know what his restaurant can do. “I want to make sure every other Taco Bell knows us,” he says.
With the drive he’s already shown, Mowie’s story is just getting started!