Naomi Vazquez: General Manager, Youngsville

My Story…From Crew Member to GM

My original start date is October 1, 1997. I applied at the Broussard location because it was in walking distance from my house and all my friends had started working there. My parents let me apply, but only if I agreed to work just weekends because of school. Fast forward to summer of 1999 when I had just graduated high school. I was taking the year off before starting college and I was asked to become a manager. The Pinhook location was being built and I was asked to help open the restaurant.  From 2000-2002 I went to UL, majoring in education.  In 2002, I got married to my first husband. In October 2004, I had my first child and in January 2005, I decided to stay home with him and no longer work.  After about a year, I was needing a job because of a slowdown in the oilfield.  I started back at the Pinhook location, working only weekends.  Another year went by, our financial situation got better, and I left again. I was out of work for another year and then one day I received a phone call from Mrs. Deanna. She told me they were looking at old folders, wondering if anyone would want to come back to work. I asked questions, I had a meeting with Chris, and I came back. It’s now 2007 and I chose to go to the Broussard location since I was living in Broussard.  In early 2008, I found out I was pregnant for the second time.  She was born in September of 2008.  However, this time I didn’t stay home and so thankful I didn’t. What I didn’t know was that a divorce would be in my future. I was so thankful I had a job that could help support myself and my children.  2011 was a turning point in my career. I had always just worked part time since having my children, but now I was needing a full-time job. I was placed as a People Department Manager.  It was through all of this that I decided I wanted more. All this time, I knew I had great leaders who were coaching me and leading me to where I needed to be. I then learned the rest of the departments and became a DM3 in 2014.  In 2016, I was transferred to Youngsville. It’s here that I became a GM and met my second husband. 

Working for this amazing company, I have been able to teach and coach so many. Even though I never earned that teaching degree, I feel like I get to teach every day! I have also been able to continue to be there for my family. With this company, I have been able to go back to school and I have earned my associates degree in theology. I am now working on my bachelor’s in biblical studies with a concentration in World Missions. With this, I will be able to teach! It will be teaching the gospel instead of education. This company has been with me through some of the hardest and some of the greatest moments of my life. 

If there’s anything I’ve learned through it all, it is to always remain teachable. We work for a company that is always changing and change is good even though it may not feel like it at the time. There is always something new. I’ve learned that taking care of people is the number one priority. If you don’t take care of your people, it will be tough to accomplish anything. I’ve also learned to own up to your mistakes and learn from them. It’s the only way you can grow. Be a team player. Don’t be so quick to blame someone else. Nothing in business is ever personal. I also learned don’t burn bridges and always put in a notice. I never imagined after leaving the first time that I would come back, much less twice. After almost 25 years, there isn’t another organization I would ever work for.  I wouldn’t be the leader I am today without the leaders I have had and continue to have.