“I have found through my work experience, that when I put my passion behind it, my efforts flourish.“

I have had many careers – music, corporate, entrepreneurship – ranging from the ministry (yep, I’m not jkg!), to music, insurance, art and photography, marketing and advertising, to owning my own companies. Some things I chose to do, others I had to do because my circumstances demanded it. It’s funny though, that in some of my darkest hours, my work saved me. In my work life, I have developed deep relationships with people who challenged me to be my best. I have learned things that were outside of my storehouse of knowledge, expanding my abilities and teaching wisdom and patience. I honed my talents, and broadened my cognitive abilities. I learned how to keep a grip on my attitude and how to treat others. This is what work does. And not to be too fluffy about it, I have had my beatings also! I have lost and lost big. The experiences gained from those hard falls have given me insight and pushed me toward opportunities that changed my life. I wouldn’t take any of them away.

This is why we work. It’s more than getting a paycheck. Our work offers the opportunity to create our dreams, to BE and DO what we are passionate about. When we mix it all together, I think it creates a beautiful picture.

Your work matters. What you do with passion and love has an impact on us all. I hope that as we enter September, you will relish in that. Take a break if you can, and if you can’t, take a nice long lunch break!

XOXOXO

Scoops of Laughter: My First Job at Braum’s Ice Cream Store

 

What snack would you eat right now?

I had to get hungry today before I could answer this question properly. What snack would I love to have right now? I think it would have to be a Brahms Ice Cream double-dip hot fudge sundae, nuts with extra fudge. Always my classic goto.

It’s been ages since I’ve had one. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve had to step away from the freezer a little bit ha. The hot fudge sundae and I go way back! In fact, we go back to when I was 15 years old…

Yep, my very first job was at Braum’s Ice Cream store in the heart of Oklahoma City. Picture it – I was a wide-eyed 15-year-old who loved anything sugary getting to work in an ice cream store. It was hopeless from the start!

Braums is a local ice creamery and was close to my house when I was a kid. They have since grown to a big company with franchise stores all over Oklahoma and Texas (where I now live) and beyond.

Other than being a sweet-freak, what made this job even more delightful was that my boss was a good friend from the youth group at our church. It was as if the ice cream gods themselves had smiled upon me. My friend had just landed the coveted position of store manager, and asked if I would like to work for him. He was like a brother, so there was no hesitation, plus I was ready to make myself a little money and become a business icon.

The antics and hilarious escapades that followed eventually made me decide that food service wasn’t my forte. Break time was my sacred sanctuary, and I’d sneak away to the girls’ bathroom with a freshly made hot fudge sundae in hand. Don’t judge – sometimes, the best moments are spent in the most unexpected places.

One unforgettable incident involved a shake cup mishap that would go down in Braum’s history. Picture this: chocolate ice cream and milk spewing in all directions as the bottom of the cup decided to part ways with the rest. Panic ensued, and there I was, a clueless teenager in the midst of a dairy disaster. Lesson learned: always double-check the integrity of your shake cup and put the damn metal appliance ring around the top!

But it wasn’t all chaos and milkshake mayhem. I had the privilege of learning the fine art of scooping ice cream – a skill that comes with its own set of challenges. My overly developed right arm to this day is a testament to the countless square cartons I conquered. Who needs a gym when you’ve got ice cream to scoop?

Working alongside my friend, who doubled as my boss, added an extra layer of fun to the experience. We shared laughs, learned the ropes together, and created memories that still make me smile all these years later. Braum’s wasn’t just a job; it was a swirl of friendship, ice cream dreams, and unforgettable moments. Every scoop came with a side of laughter, and every spill was a reminder that sometimes life gets messy, especially when you’re knee-deep in chocolate and sprinkles.

What snack would I like right now?  Braums thank you!