I was a high-honors student in high school and, unlike many of my classmates, I did not go to college after graduation. Instead, I married my high school sweetheart, worked as a server at the Bob Evans restaurant near Notre Dame, and we started a family.

I thought I made a decent living at the time…but rethought things as I went through a divorce.

Reflecting on my youth, I realized I’d always had goals and a drive to achieve them — and back then, that goal was to get married and have kids. But my failed marriage taught me how to revise my goals in order to make the best of a bad situation…and that those goal shifts might turn out for the better.

Because what I didn’t — couldn’t — know at the time was that my divorce would ultimately lead me to going to college, obtaining my CPA license and working my way up to being CEO of a restaurant chain.

All that said: not everyone has a linear route to their career path — here’s how I got to mine when my life plans went sideways.

Opportunity Knocks

One morning in the early 1990s I received a call from Ivy Tech asking if I’d like to take a free class. I’d been thinking about college, so I jumped at the chance.

The representative mentioned an accounting class, and I agreed to sign up for it because it fit my work schedule and I’d always enjoyed math. I sometimes wonder if the caller had started at the opposite end of the course alphabet and offered me a zoology class, if today I’d be a zoologist instead! Regardless, I was on my way to achieving another goal and got to take a college-level class.

I didn’t realize how much I’d missed the classroom environment until I took that accounting class. It lit a fire in me. In the next two and a half years, I received my bachelor’s degree from Bethel College and then traveled to the Indianapolis State Fair Grounds to take the CPA Exam. I was determined to pass all sections the first time I took them, and I was successful!

Shifting Skillsets

The next fall, I started my career in public accounting where I found myself leaning on the social skills I learned at Bob Evan’s. I was comfortable talking to people and very familiar with navigating “office politics” in any type of work environment.

I firmly believe that using my life-acquired people skills is the primary reason I was promoted to an executive later in life. As a leader, it is vital to know your people and possess the ability to communicate effectively with them in both group and one-on-one settings.

Stepping Up

I worked in public accounting about seven years before being hired by my current employer. Rumor had it the relationship between the accounting firm and the client were a bit rocky before I acted as the auditor in-charge of the job. I was scheduled on the job that year, the firm retained the client and after a couple years I was hired by the client as VP of finance.

That client was Hacienda and LaSenorita Mexican Restaurants, an industry in which my previous experience had been as a server. Hacienda is comprised of 14 restaurants in Indiana and LaSenorita which has one location in Traverse City, Mich. Sidenote: Hacienda was always a favorite restaurant of mine and still is! 

Since joining their team, I have been promoted to executive vice president, CFO and was named CEO in 2014. 

What I’ve Learned

During my years overseeing the finance, administrative and IT departments, I learned that overcoming challenges is vital to my company’s success…and to my success as well.

Being able to leap over barriers with creative thinking, hard work, accountability and resourcefulness, our teams find ways to succeed and move forward. Effective communication between people — especially when multiple departments are involved in the solution — has been a tremendous help in resolving issues. This is also the way most ideas evolve into something great. 

Reflecting back on my career, I am grateful for the many blessings and opportunities I’ve been a part of over the years. I’ve been lucky enough that a few of my business relationships have turned into true friendships, which cements my belief in the importance of bringing people skills into the business forum. I’ve been able to support my family throughout the years, I work in a fun environment, I still enjoy checking goals off of my list and — believe it or not — I still have a few left to accomplish in my career. And I know I will get there!   

My biggest takeaways and success tips for my fellow CPAs are:

1. Don’t miss the chance to network and form partnerships with those you do business with, whether it’s clients, coworkers, vendors, etc. Communication is critical.
2. No matter what challenge is thrown at you, be ready to adapt and do the right thing…even if the situation feels hard and doing the right thing feels even harder.