Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Long.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hospitality has been an inspiration and driving force for as long as I can remember. As a child, I would play “waitress” to my family during evening hangouts and often set up my house as a restaurant to host the neighbors. At elementary school career week, I was sure when I grew up that I wanted to either run restaurants…or be the first female president of the United States. My current role as CEO of an amazing, hospitality and people driven restaurant group feels like the ultimate dream come true.
I grew up in the Metro Detroit with a warm and welcoming Italian family. I fully believe my mid-western and Italian roots were a perfect pairing for a future in hospitality. I find great joy in feeding people whether working or entertaining in my home. I joined the industry at 14 working weekends as a host and busser at a little Greek restaurant in my local mall during the mall rat days. I loved it from day one, I never left, and 27 years later (who’s counting) still love it! My experience in every position from dishwasher to running Michelin star restaurants, from cocktail waitress to fry cook, through the years has shaped me to who I am – I wouldn’t change a minute of it. I couldn’t be happier to be part of The Butcher’s Daughter Team and it truly feels like home, a perfect place to celebrate my skills!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Is it ever a smooth road!! The truth is that the restaurants have come a long way and I feel fortunate to have risen in this field which was male-dominated for a very long time. Through the years, the obstacles have always been balancing myself in this ever-evolving industry. I have been part of many female firsts along the way and have celebrated each one. I would be lying if I said it was always easy and sexual harassment early in my career was a challenge but one that only motivated me more. If I could lead restaurants and train future restaurant professionals, I could help do my part to create a positive balance and shift in the industry.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
What do I do? That’s a good question! As CEO, I joke that my job is talking to people all day, but in this role I support the team and the brand by sharing my knowledge, walking people through problem-solving and networking with others. I am certainly a jack of all trades and master of none but in hospitality, I believe that helps foster success. I can talk to you about HVAC systems, kitchen equipment, cooking techniques, troubleshoot breadmaking, build steps of service, map out a blueprint, help perfect cocktails, and chit chat with just about anyone. In one week, I might do a little of all those things! I would say my team thinks of me in a nurturing way and through the years have been called “mama” or more recently “Mama T”, it’s really because I balance the nurturing teacher and firm coaching when needed.
I think what sets me apart is that I am always smiling, always happy and always me. Employees have so much to manage in the hospitality industry, the last thing they need is a leader with personality ups and downs, every day I’m just Tina and I think people really embrace that. I am most proud of rising through this industry, not losing myself, finding the love of my life (yes, I married someone I met at work) and raising two beautiful vibrant humans while growing to the role that I am in. It sets my heart on fire when my son pays “server” around the house and takes orders and my daughter plays on her computer and says she’s pretending she’s the boss running restaurants. I have a hefty amount of humility which I also attribute to my mid-western roots, because of that I wouldn’t say there is anything that really sets me apart from others – we are all so unique and wonderful people and I truly believe that we are all set apart in the most perfect ways!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebutchersdaughter.com/
