Interview with Mary Beavers, Co-Owner of Pot and Kettle, about her bold steps to making multiple career changes.
Meeting Mary
I have only known Mary Beavers for a few short years. But she is one of those people that make you feel like you have known each other for much longer. The first day that I met her she was serving. She was making sure the coffee bar at the new church we were visiting was stocked and provided a welcoming experience for people as they arrived. I found out very quickly that was Mary’s “jam” as they say. If you see her in this group, you will most likely see her serving and making sure everyone feels comfortable.
Shortly after we began attending that church she spoke for a brief time. I don’t remember exactly what she spoke about, but I remember her words captured my heart and emotions with how warm and authentic she was. That was the day I knew I could connect with her.
How She Stands Out
When you find a person that is warm, caring, and easygoing with a sure-fire sense of humor, you found a treasure. A gem that stands out in the crowd but not for the usual reasons. Mary doesn’t stand out because she demands attention, but quite the opposite. She actually rises to the top because of her unique way of surrounding your heart and making you feel valued.
As I have learned more of Mary’s story, I have realized that her life exemplifies a series of bold steps. She has made several bold decisions and even lived several seasons of dramatic change. All of which requires courage. I recently had a chance to interview her about her bold steps and I think you will find her journey inspiring and motivating.
Tell us the story of how you made a/some bold moves and multiple career changes in your life.
I guess my multiple career changes could be looked at as bold. I graduated with a degree in elementary education, taught for a few years, then shifted careers 3 times since. After teaching, I shifted to retail, then office management for a few years. The next shift came when I finished culinary school and worked in the restaurant industry. Then, I shifted back into office management in a completely different industry while working with my co-owner to start our business, Pot and Kettle. However, probably the most bold move I made was when I moved to West Africa right out of college. I figured that was the perfect time to go and do something that most people would consider crazy. At that time, I could not have predicted the multiple career changes that were in store for me.
Sounds like you have made several bold moves and multiple career changes that shifted your life considerably. What ideas/processes stand out to you that helped you take those bold steps?
Sometimes it’s just dissatisfaction with where I currently am, wanting to do more and experience more. I am a very methodical decision maker and I like to think through all the options. This involves thinking through possible scenarios that could occur or pondering the big picture of what the shift may look like several years out. I also discuss the decisions with people that I trust and seek input from them and spend time in prayer. But sometimes at the end of that you just have to make a decision and jump!
What kind of support did you have during these crucial points of making multiple career changes in your life?
When I moved to Ghana I had a lot of people supporting me from “home” however, communication lines were almost non-existent and I had to form a new community of support. I also formed a new series of communities since moving to Fort Worth. My family has always been a great support but it is greatly supplemented by my diverse community.
If you got a do-over would you take it? Why or why not?
This is something I have and do think about all the time. Five years ago I probably would have said yes. But now? No. Things happen for a reason and I’ve learned from the choices I’ve made and it’s crafted me into a unique person. It hasn’t always been easy but I feel like I have grown as a person and that’s encouraging I think, as I look back on my journey. Making multiple career changes has had challenges, but looking back I can see the rewards of the experiences.
You moved abroad and immersed yourself in a new culture, you made multiple career changes, and now you are an entrepreneur. Readers may see these as completely isolated changes. Do you think they are? Big disconnected jumps? Or do you look back and see a common thread/theme? Can you give us some examples?
For the longest time I thought they were all separate and didn’t make sense. I kept thinking, “I’m having to start all over!”. But I began to notice that with each job or career I moved into there was something I could take from the previous experiences and make it applicable to where I was. Life is rarely built on one skill, rather it is a variety of skills. Having such a diverse work and even life experience has allowed me to acquire skills in many areas which, I feel, has prepared me for just about anything to come!
Tell us one or two pivotal points when you were facing these bold, life altering changes.
I remember a day or two before I left for Ghana, getting a call and being told my job MIGHT not be there when I arrived and would I still like to go? I felt so confident that I decided to just go for it. It was the hardest and best decision I have made. Another would be when I graduated from culinary school. I ended up quitting my office job and started working for a restaurant. I was very much outside of my comfort zone and I had to earn a lot of respect in the kitchen. But again, it was one of the best decisions I made.
How did you stay balanced when things seemed unpredictable in your life?
Truth? I haven’t always. I swayed fairly far back and forth during my time overseas. But every experience since then, the pendulum swings a little less when things get unpredictable. I have noticed that my moods or level of discomfort with the decisions were not as extreme with each subsequent experience. I learned to not second guess myself as much or as often while working through each transition and shift. Eventually, I just learned to not make hasty decisions or start thinking of escape plans so quickly. These mindset shifts definitely helped me achieve a more balanced approach to managing change in my life.
Tell us about the business you have started and the mission it represents for you.
Pot & Kettle is a start up, we hope to one day have a brick and mortar. We love British inspired foods and that feeling of comfort and community. Our mission statement is: To provide a homey environment to individuals and our community where care is expressed through genuine interactions, delicious food, and a warm cup of tea. I have had the pleasure of working for a restaurant in Fort Worth that had a community inspired atmosphere, both among staff and among patrons. That restaurant is no longer open but the spirit of that dwells in each neighborhood. It’s our dream to create that sense of community where we are.
What motivates you to continue developing your business?
New concepts, thoughts of future projects, and mild doses of success. The idea for Pot & Kettle came about because my business partner and I would sit around and say, “Wouldn’t it be so nice to have a place to go to get a good cup of tea, something fun/comforting to eat, and a cozy environment?” Finally we decided if we wanted it, we would need to create it. Sometimes having a business partner that can encourage you when things seem unattainable is incredibly motivating as well.
What does a typical day look like for you in your dream business?
Getting up early, making sure we have enough product for the day, encouraging and teaching our employees new methods/techniques or even sharing life lessons together. Welcoming guests into our restaurant, watching them remember something their mom or grandmother used to make or that deep breath of contentment when the scent of that warm jasmine tea hits their nose. It’s talking with customers and getting to know their lives and be a part of it. Hosting events for the community or classes to help women in need of skills for a job learn how to cook/bake/serve/manage/lead.
Explain your top 3 tips/advice for someone that longs to start a new business but is hesitant to make that bold step.
- Just start. I know, you hear that a lot. But like life, sometimes you have to make some mistakes to learn what it is you really want and the best way to get there.
- Do research. Do you have competitors? What are they doing that sets them apart? What can you offer that is different? Is there a better/faster/more cost efficient way of doing what I’m doing? Research your desired field and look outside of the normal.
- Utilize your resources, including those in your community! Score.org is a great place to go and learn about business and their website has so many helpful things. There are classes, seminars, and gatherings. We have only just scratched the surface of what they offer but they have helped a lot already. Also, people in our community have abundant resources as well.
- Don’t forget that if you are using another friend’s small business to help yours, work out terms of that beforehand. Bartering is good for some people but we all understand what it means to make money doing what we do.
Are you working on a bold, new project right now? Tell us about it.
Right now we are taking a few steps but still trying to navigate what a “post covid” (if you can actually call it that) world looks like to restaurants and food services. We have done one pop up! at a local brewery and have another scheduled for September. We are hoping this can turn into something beneficial. We are also hoping to be a part of some holiday pop up markets this fall and winter.
What do you think your next bold move will be?
In the more immediate future; pop ups and the occasional catering. In the future, a steady gig that is successful enough that we can make the switch from “full time jobs that pay the bills” to “managing a restaurant and building community (that ALSO pays the bills
Find out more about Pot and Kettle:
http://instagram.com/adventures_of_pot_and_kettle
Be inspired by DeMaris Gill, our first Bold Moves by Women interview here.
Lessons learned from multiple career changes:
- Your strengths/talents show up wherever you work or spend your time. Be your authentic self no matter what setting you work in or where life takes you. Take time to discover who you are and what you love to do. Mary shows up consistently to share her talents/skills with others.
- When you consistently show up in authentic ways you build a community. These relationships form a system of support that you need when making bold changes in your life. >It is worth it to cultivate relationships and design a supportive network. < Note: this does not mean you have to have a huge tribe or be with people constantly. I’m thinking of you, introverted soul.
- Multiple career changes do not equate to multiple mistakes. You are a growing, changing human and each phase in life builds upon the previous one. This gives you opportunity to learn more and more about your strengths and even build new ones. As Mary said, the choices she made “crafted me into a unique person”. Embrace that attitude to discover new talents.
- Those unique ideas you have in the back of your mind or that you constantly talk about may be the key to your next project/job/business. Perhaps you were given this idea for a reason. If it is something that you would find useful or find satisfaction in, chances are others would, too. Mary and Caty wished for a cozy atmosphere with a warm, British vibe. They kept brainstorming and researching until they were able to craft their business plan. Voilà! Pot and Kettle emerged! What idea is lurking around in your head waiting for you to put some action to it? (action creates clarity) Take one bold step today!