My entrepreneurial journey started when I was kid. Growing up, my mom and dad were both entrepreneurs. I remember that with everything I did, even then, I always thought I could turn it into a business. My mom put me in gymnastics, and when my friends would come over I thought I should charge each friend $10 and give them gymnastics lessons. Not realizing certifications, insurance, etc., I just wanted to figure out a way to make money. I was eight.
My mom would ask me for a massage after a long days' work, and I would ask her if I did this every day, would she pay me so I can start a massage business. I would walk into a laundry mat and think how cool it would be to do people's laundry, listen to music, and fold clothes. It would make so many people's lives easier, and I could charge per load of laundry.
I always thought at the time that all my ideas were great, and I could make a lot of money by word of mouth. I just had that desire to be on my own, make my own money, and be successful. Fast forward to me trying to think of ways to earn extra allowance. I don't know if I was a shopaholic, but my mom did want me to earn my own money so I could stop asking her to buy me clothing at 13. My mom said if you want it, go out and get a job.
My first job was in my town, Montville, at an arcade called Game Town where I helped with all the parties by waitressing and bussing tables. For 13, I was making a lot of money. It was cash tips, so it became addicting to have cash in my pocket at all times. I went on to waitress at a local diner and work for one of my Dad's companies. Then I ventured out to try different jobs until I figured out what I wanted to do. That didn't happen until I was about 28 years old, but I finally found my niche.
I moved to Poughkeepsie, New York in 1998 and worked for a psychiatrist and then at an Assisted Living facility. I soon decided that though I loved where I was working, I wanted to move to Westchester instead of staying in Poughkeepsie. The owner of the assisted living complex owned an apartment complex in Yonkers so I moved there and rented an apartment from him.
I quickly realized that I needed a second job to pay for the gas back and forth to Poughkeepsie. and went into a local Italian restaurant to ask if they were hiring for a bartender. I never bartended a day in my life. But I was hired. The first drink was a screwdriver, and even then I was stumped. I am eternally grateful that the owner was happy to train me and the customers were patient while I learned, because in 2015 a partner and I purchased that same restaurant where I started bartending at just 21 years old.
Prior to purchasing, I waitressed there while I started a PR firm that I thought was going to start small and stay small, maybe one other employee that services local accounts only. Three years in and I was referred to multiple celebrities and reality stars that I am thankful to this day. These early relationships put my company on the map and turned it into a firm with 10 employees and over 30 clients spread across the entire country.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day I would be flying out of the country to manage celebrity events like the Cannes Film Festival. At one point, clients were flying me to Los Angeles once a week, if not more, to manage the celebrity and talent wrangling for major award shows. It was fun to experience new things and make friends wherever I went. I soon found myself partnering with a celebrity on a wine brand, growing my PR firm, purchasing a restaurant, and partnering with one of my employees on a non-invasive beauty business.
Through all of these experiences, I have grown to appreciate being an entrepreneur in so many ways. While there are many hurdles, struggles, and stressors to being in your own business, once you get to a place of stability, the rewards are so worth it. It's definitely not for everyone. Sometimes you just don't know where you are getting a dollar to pay a dollar back, but I stuck it out somehow. Looking back on this entire journey, it's been the most rewarding position I have ever been in.
WRITTEN BY
Robyn Matarazzo