My career path has been anything but linear—from a nurse in a small town to a marketer in the fast-paced world of F&B. Along the way, I’ve definitely encountered my fair share of side-eyes and polite nods from people who see themselves as “more superior.” You know the type—won’t even bother to look you in the eye. Yep, been there. Felt tiny. Questioned myself.
But every time I started to shrink, I was lucky to have my Bali friends as my emotional compass. They’d gently (or loudly, depending on the mood) remind me to stay rooted in who I am. And the more I reflect on that, the more I realize—damn, it’s true. If you’re in that spot right now, just know this: keep showing up, keep learning the things that actually bring you joy, and pour your sincerity into every task. That’s the kind of energy that ends up overdelivering—effortlessly.
In the beginning, I had absolutely no clue what being a seller meant. So, I watched. I listened. I studied the way seasoned teammates moved. I read the inventory back to front like it was a bestselling novel. And then I learned the most underrated skill of all: reading the room. Knowing when a customer wants to browse in peace and when they’re ready for a deep dive into every handcrafted detail of the jewelry. None of that came overnight. It came from putting in time. In this industry, people love saying, “work smart, not hard”—but in hospitality, let’s be honest, that phrase is only half useful. Because at the end of the day, we’re in the business of human connection, and that only sharpens with hours, heart, and presence.
Oh—and here’s one more thing I’ve learned: it’s totally okay to spend money to get things done. Not everything needs to be reimbursed or asked approval for (unless it’s massive, of course). Sometimes, I’ll happily pay out of pocket if it means getting things done right and fast. That’s not being a martyr; that’s just owning the process like a pro.
So stay underrated. Keep showing up. And overdeliver not to prove them wrong, but to prove to yourself that you can bloom—quietly, consistently, powerfully.