My Journey Through Hospitality
If you’ve ever worked in hospitality, you know the grind: long hours, late nights, and the kind of adrenaline that only comes when a dinner rush feels like controlled chaos. The heat of the kitchen, the constant chatter from the dining room, the never-ending sound of tickets printing — it becomes part of your heartbeat.
For me, hospitality wasn’t just a paycheck; it was an identity I carried proudly for over a decade. I cycled through almost every role you can imagine. I started as a bar back, lugging cases of beer in the back alley, then hustled on the line as a cook, balancing five pans at once. I’ve served as a waiter balancing trays and smiles, worked as a supervisor, managed kitchens, and even trained as a professional sushi chef. Each position came with its own unique lessons.
As a line cook, I learned speed and precision. Every second mattered when you had orders flying in. As a sushi chef, I learned patience, artistry, and how small details separate good work from unforgettable experiences. As a manager, I had to balance numbers, people, and the unpredictable nature of running a restaurant.
But through every role, one constant kept me motivated: I loved making people happy. Whether through food, service, or leadership, hospitality gave me the ability to express creativity while directly impacting someone’s day. That combination of service and artistry made the grind worth it — for a time.
And yet, I never imagined that one day I’d trade aprons and late-night shifts for the chance to build a digital business that would allow me to reach more people than I ever could in hospitality. The dream of creating a successful digital business became my new motivation.
The Wake-Up Call
The turning point in my story didn’t happen during a big meltdown or a dramatic kitchen disaster. It happened in silence, sitting in my office at Corner Bakery. Years earlier, I had worked there as a line cook, hustling through shifts just trying to prove myself. Fast-forward almost a decade, and I was back — but now as the General Manager.
On paper, it looked like progress. Bigger paycheck, office, authority. But when I sat there, staring at the same logo, the same menu, and the same four walls, I realized something that shook me: I’d gone full circle. Different title, same story.
That realization stung. I thought I was climbing a ladder, but I was really running in circles. Instead of feeling accomplished, I felt boxed in. The higher I rose, the further I drifted from what drew me into hospitality in the first place — the creativity of crafting dishes, the personal connection of service, the thrill of making someone’s day. My life had become budgets, schedules, and paperwork.
It wasn’t bad. But it wasn’t me anymore. I craved freedom, creativity, and something entirely new — something that would later become the start of my digital business.
Why I Needed a Digital Change
The more I thought about it, the clearer it became: I didn’t just need a new restaurant or a new role. I needed a new life. Hospitality gave me incredible skills, but it also left me drained.
- Physically burned out: Nights, weekends, and holidays belonged to work, not me.
- Creatively stifled: The higher I went, the less room there was to innovate.
- Lifestyle trapped: I missed out on family moments, relationships, and freedom.
- Emotionally drained: The constant pressure to keep everything running took a toll.
I wanted more. More creativity. More time. More growth. Freedom to work on my terms instead of being tethered to the next shift.
So, one day, I made the hardest decision of my career: I quit. With just a few thousand dollars in savings, I walked away from a steady paycheck and took a leap into the unknown — the world of building a digital business.
First Steps Into the Digital Business Space
The very first thing I did was type five words into Google: “how to make money online.”
What came back felt like an avalanche — freelancing, dropshipping, YouTube, affiliate marketing, print-on-demand, you name it. For every genuine opportunity, there were three scams waiting to reel me in.
Affiliate marketing caught my eye. The idea that I could promote products I believed in and earn commissions felt achievable. I even paid $500 for a course I found through a YouTube guru. But when I realized the “training” was basically teaching me how to build a website using Bluehost — something I could’ve learned for free — I asked for a refund.
Instead of giving up, I decided to teach myself.
- I discovered WordPress and experimented with building my first website.
- I found Hostinger, which became my go-to hosting platform (I’ve stayed with them for years because they’ve grown alongside me, adding security, AI tools, and site builders).
- I learned SEO and how to structure content so it actually ranks.
- I practiced creating graphics in Photoshop to promote products.
- I dived into email marketing and funnels, learning how to capture leads and nurture them.
It was overwhelming. I was constantly switching between tutorials, trial-and-error, and small wins. But the first time I made even a few dollars online, I felt the same rush I used to feel when a guest complimented my food. Proof that this digital business thing wasn’t just hype — it was real.
Rediscovering Creativity Through a Digital Business
What surprised me most about the digital space was how much creativity it demanded.
I launched a YouTube channel centered around 420 culture and organic gardening. I started editing videos, first with Filmora, then with DaVinci Resolve, when Filmora felt too limiting. Suddenly, I wasn’t just editing clips — I was learning about lighting setups, storytelling beats, and even motion graphics.
I’d lose hours in flow, building a video from scratch, adding music, syncing transitions. That same immersive energy I felt in a kitchen plating sushi was back — but now with endless possibilities.
Digital tools became my new ingredients. Creativity became my menu. The “kitchen” was my laptop, and the audience was global.
How Hospitality Prepared Me for Digital Business
People often ask me if my years in hospitality prepared me for digital business. The answer is a resounding yes.
- Customer Service: Anticipating needs in a restaurant translates to building websites or content that solves client problems before they even mention them.
- Organization: Running a dinner rush meant cooler storage, timing, and plating precision. Now, I apply that same skill to project management and deadlines in digital business.
- Resilience: If you can survive a Friday dinner shift short-staffed, you can survive a website crash or a failed campaign.
- Empathy: Guests remember how you made them feel. So do clients. My moral compass, empathy, and habit of over-delivering became my foundation.
Hospitality didn’t just give me skills; it gave me principles that directly shaped how I run my digital business.
The Challenges I Faced
Of course, moving into digital business wasn’t smooth sailing.
- Information Overload: The internet is noisy. Everyone claims to have the secret. Filtering the signal from the noise was a skill I had to learn fast.
- Burnout 2.0: Ironically, I left hospitality to avoid burnout — only to recreate it by working nonstop on my own projects.
- Financial Strain: No paycheck meant every dollar mattered. Watching my savings shrink before my efforts paid off was nerve-racking.
- Loneliness: Hospitality is social. Digital business is often solo. It took time to find my tribe online.
Each challenge tested me, but it also forced me to grow as a digital business owner.
Wins That Reaffirmed My Decision
For every setback, there were wins that reminded me why I made the leap.
- Clients recommended me through word of mouth because I over-delivered.
- Past projects brought genuine value to businesses, helping them grow.
- I rediscovered joy in creativity without limits.
- Most importantly, I built a lifestyle where I control my time.
Those wins feel even more rewarding than a packed dining room on a Saturday night. And they prove that choosing a digital business wasn’t just possible — it was the right path.
Advice for Others Considering the Leap
If you’re stuck in a job that doesn’t light you up, here’s my advice:
- Audit your skills. You already have strengths that transfer into a digital business.
- Embrace endless learning. The digital space evolves fast. Stay curious.
- Start small, stay consistent. Don’t wait for perfect. The first website or video may be clunky, but it’s momentum.
- Prepare for setbacks. Burnout, financial dips, and tech headaches happen. Plan for them.
- Remember your “why.” On the hard days, it will keep you going.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need the courage to start building your own digital business.
From Aprons to Algorithms: My Leap Into Digital Freedom
Leaving hospitality wasn’t easy. I left behind stability, routine, and a career I had mastered. But in return, I found creativity, freedom, and a sense of growth I never thought possible.
Hospitality gave me resilience, empathy, and the joy of serving people. Digital business gave me the canvas to apply those lessons on my own terms.
Would I do it again? Without hesitation.
And if you’re considering a leap — whether from hospitality or another industry — maybe it’s time to bet on yourself. Build something that reflects your creativity. Explore the possibilities of a digital business.
👉 Thinking about leaving your industry to build something digital? Book a free strategy session with CLIK Creatives Studio, and let’s map out your first steps.