Caitlynn Traylor

My upbringing and my parents' work ethic have been the foundation of my success. My mom worked and waitressed my dad through medical school, and my dad is still currently a doctor - he's a forensic pathologist. Both my parents worked extremely hard growing up, and they truly instilled that confidence and drive in me. They taught me to always give my best, no matter what I'm doing. That's why even when I had to pivot from my long-term goal of getting into medicine and do the restaurant career instead, I didn't look at it as less than. Some people might, but I just knew that I was going to make the best of it and go as far as I could go with it. I also believe that people don't always come to Copeland's for the food - sometimes they come to Copeland's for me, and that's the goal. Those added touches that elevate experiences, like giving thank you cards to tables or making sure there's a sparkler and card for someone's birthday, those kinds of touches go a long way. That Southern Hospitality, that lagniappe that you're not going to get from anybody else - I've kind of taken that and made it into who I am and how I do business.

The best career advice I've received is to do everything with authenticity and confidence. Even if you're scared, doing the things that you don't want to do are when you make the biggest impact. Being in the rooms that you're nervous to be in are the rooms that you need to be in the most. I know people hate when you say 'fake it till you make it,' but truly, that does work. The power of the tongue is real. No matter if you're nervous or think that job is too good for you, don't let the imposter syndrome take over. You can do anything you set your mind to, and you deserve great things. You need to get up every day and look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that - tell yourself you're beautiful, tell yourself you're going to be successful, tell yourself that you're going to be financially blessed, whatever you want to manifest. How you act in person is real too. I've been told a million times that people can tell by the way I carry myself that I'm so confident. And sometimes I am, and sometimes I'm not, but you would never know the times that I'm not. Just don't let them see you sweat.

I would tell young women entering this industry to apply themselves. Knowledge is power and there is never a finish line. The most trusted leaders are those that can confidently execute all levels of job responsibilities and your employees, as well as your colleagues take notice when you are able to do so. Do not shrink yourself - take up space, push the boundaries and be your truest self. That is how innovation begins; when women are bold enough to speak up, present solutions and not be intimidated by thinking outside of the box.

Staffing is a huge opportunity right now, and I think that's probably across the board. Ever since COVID, it is a harder to have people staffed for the in-person jobs. I think working remote became popular, understandably so of course. It is still a very male-dominated field, so you do run into those managers, vendors or guests that challenge you or speak to you differently simply because you are a woman. I've had that experience too, where somebody is speaking to me in a disrespectful manner until a male manager enters the room, and then it's all yes ma'am, no ma'am. There is sometimes a lack of respect, with people thinking that just because you're a buttoned-up lady that it means you don't know what you're doing in my career field. There have been instances where I show up in a pencil skirt, and they think that I can't do my job just because of my gender or how I'm presenting myself. However, I can roll up my sleeves and cook and push these orders out and set up the venues, and I'll do any job that needs to be done. I would never have somebody work for me or do something for me that I wouldn't do myself. Once people see that skill level is there and I'm not just a pretty face plastered to sell the food, then that is where I started earning that respect.

Integrity is a big one for me, of course. I would define integrity by doing the right thing, even when no one is looking and treating everyone fairly - holding the same standard. Serious personal commitment is another one and it is actually one of my company's core values, but I've taken that into my personal life as well. It's making the effort to always show up as your best self. You won't always be 100% every day, and that's okay! As long as you give your best every single day, whatever that may look like, that is what matters. You have to put the needs of the business in front of personal feelings. For example, let's say you had a fight with your husband or a bad day - that doesn't mean you get to take it out on your colleagues/clients or be in a bad mood at work. You need to leave that at the door. Same concept with my home life, just reversed. I try really hard not to bring home my frustrations from work and take that out on my family, because they deserve my best self, as well. Both are serious personal commitment in my eyes - one to my family and one to my career, because we all know a proper work-life balance is a must! And finally, Southern Hospitality - I don't think people view that as a value, but I do, and I believe that has helped me in my success. I'm known for giving you that southern charm, that little something extra - we call that Lagniappe and it is something you're not going to get that from anybody else. I've taken that concept and made it into who I am and how I do business.