Step by Step: Grace Y’s 10-Year Journey at Summerwood
Grace Y. has been part of the Summerwood family for nearly a decade, but her journey started with a few interviews, a leap of faith and one very important approval.
“The dog was nice to me, so I made it,” she laughs, referring to our unofficial Director of Security — a goldendoodle named “Marci” who patrols the Summerwood office.
Today, Grace serves as a Senior Accountant, helping support restaurant operations through food cost reporting, payroll entries and inventory analysis. But back when she first joined the company after graduating from college, she never imagined she’d still be here almost 10 years later.
“People ask me, ‘How come you stay?’” she says. “Summerwood likes me and I like Summerwood.”
Because of the people, Summerwood has always felt like home for Grace.
From China to Philadelphia
Grace grew up in China before moving to the United States to attend Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, where she studied accounting.
At first, she thought the profession fit because she liked numbers. Over time, she realized it was less about math and more about who she is as a person.
“I think accounting is very step by step,” she explains. “If you work hard, eventually you’ll get there.”
It’s a mindset that has shaped both her career and her life.
Finding Confidence Along the Way
Grace says her experience at Summerwood has helped her grow not only professionally, but personally, too.
“Asian culture – usually we’re more humble; we don’t talk that much,” she says. “But when I got here, I realized people like to express themselves. If you don’t speak up for yourself, people don’t know you.”
Today, Grace enjoys connecting with coworkers across the company and says the people are one of the biggest reasons she’s stayed for so long.
“Instead of going to work, I felt like I was going home,” she says.
More Than Numbers
As part of our accounting team, Grace works closely with restaurant operations to help keep things running smoothly. While accounting may sometimes come across as strict, she wants operators to know they’re always working toward the same goal.
“We work together as a team,” she says. “We [all] want Summerwood to be better.”
Collaboration is one of the things Grace loves most about working in the restaurant industry.
Dreaming Big, Living Day by Day
While Grace has goals for the future, including retiring early someday, she prefers to focus on taking life one step at a time.
“I live day by day,” she confesses.
Outside of work, Grace hopes to continue building friendships, finding meaningful ways to give back and creating a life she’s proud of.
In Summerwood, Grace has found community, friendship and belonging.
A Place That Feels Like Home
Looking back on the last decade, Grace says the culture at Summerwood is what continues to stand out most.
“We have all different people from different backgrounds,” she says. “They understand it. They respect it.”
That sense of belonging and connection is still what matters most to Grace — and a big reason why Summerwood continues to feel like home.