Always Be Building: A Note to Early Career Hospitality Professionals

In the hospitality world, it’s not uncommon for people to take a job thinking it’s just a temporary stop. Maybe it’s a line cook role to help pay the bills. Maybe it’s bartending at a place that isn’t your dream bar, or a front-of-house position you accepted while waiting for “something better.”

But even if you see your current role as a stepping stone, how you show up matters. A lot.

Psychologist and author Meg Jay coined the term identity capital to describe the collection of personal assets we build over time: our skills, experiences, reputation, and how we’re perceived by others. It's the value we bring to the table, not just on paper, but through who we are and how we operate in the world. Every job, every shift, every interaction is a chance to invest in that capital.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen too many people in hospitality burn bridges early on because they didn’t take their “temporary” roles seriously. They called out last minute, resisted feedback, gave minimal effort, or made it clear they were only in it until something better came along. And then, sometimes years later, they find that the small world of hospitality circles back.

The bartender they ignored on their first job? She’s now the bar manager screening applications. The sous chef they dismissed as irrelevant? He’s now opening a new concept and asking around about who’s worth hiring. The GM they never really clicked with? He’s a mutual friend of your dream employer, and your name just came up.

That’s the thing about identity capital: it builds with consistency, effort, and integrity, not just during the highlight moments of your career. It grows when you do the hard things. You benefit the most when you show up fully, learn from criticism, own your work, and treat everyone around you with respect, regardless of the job title or perceived prestige.

Even if you aren’t in your ideal role yet, you can still build identity capital. You can become known as someone who learns fast, cares deeply, communicates clearly, and shows up on time, someone others want to work with and recommend. And those things follow you.

Sometimes, building identity capital also means recognizing when you need support. A coach or mentor can help you gain clarity, build the skills needed for that next leap, and avoid common missteps along the way. Whether you're looking to grow into leadership, strengthen your communication, or align your day-to-day work with your long-term goals, you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

This is the work I love to do. I’ve spent years helping hospitality professionals develop themselves, navigate growth with intention, and show up in a way that makes them proud. If you're ready to invest in your identity capital and take the next step forward, I’m here to help.

Always be building. It pays off.