Her Story
About Isabella
Isabella Benitez serves as deli manager for Southeastern Grocery, where she has worked for 28 years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Originally from El Salvador, she completed high school there before immigrating to the United States. She started at Winn-Dixie as a part-time employee without English proficiency and learned the language on the job while advancing to full-time status, deli manager, bakery supervisor, and eventually supervisor overseeing 20 stores. Benitez emphasizes customer service by treating customers like guests and actively engages with her community no matter the store location. She holds a food safety certification that requires renewal every five years. Her professional journey highlights her commitment to honesty, trust, and supporting her team of 40 employees through an open-door policy. Benitez advises young women entering the grocery industry to pursue opportunities such as grocery manager or store director, stressing the importance of loving one's work, pursuing education, and volunteering with children to show them career paths. Outside of work, she participates in Bowman Church activities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Isabella
01What do you attribute your success to?
I came from another background and never went to school in this country. I didn't even speak English when I started at Dixie, our Winn-Dixie grocery. I learned English on the job. I worked my way up from part-time to full-time, then deli manager, then bakery supervisor, and became supervisor for 20 stores. My success comes from work ethics, people skills, being honest, and having that hunger to be better. A manager named Robin Castile pushed me and saw me as a diamond in the rough.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My manager Robin Castile, who worked for Winn-Dixie for 25 years, always told me 'Isabella, you're just like a diamond in a rock' and pushed me to my limit to make the best person come out of me, even when I didn't want to be a manager because of the responsibility.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
There are a lot of opportunities in the grocery industry. You can become a grocery manager, store director, or whatever you like. Find the right career you want because you have to love what you do. Education always helps. Volunteer at schools and get involved with children so they see the opportunities too.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include availability and support for mothers, like childcare help while working, since I was a single mother who had to pick up kids during shifts. Opportunities are better communication with the team, more training for new hires so they feel comfortable and reduce turnover, and companies showing more care for employees.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and trust are most important. Be honest to yourself so people can trust you and you can trust them. Have an open-door policy so your team of 40 people knows they can count on you and come to you with issues. Companies need to see the people side and make employees feel comfortable.
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