Her Story
About Jennifer
Jennifer Kupka is an Executive Assistant, Project Coordinator, and Office Manager at the Rose Group, a restaurant management company that operates Applebee's locations and is in the process of acquiring Qdobas. She began her career with the company 15 years ago as an hourly team member at Applebee's, progressed through their management program, and served as a manager for approximately 2 years before transitioning into her current multifaceted role supporting the executive team. In addition to her administrative and coordination duties, Kupka manages event planning and describes herself as a jack of all trades. She values the company's emphasis on development and the supportive leadership that allows her to drive her own career path. Kupka attributes her professional drive to the example set by her hardworking parents and her desire to demonstrate to her three children that hard work can lead to achievement while maintaining work-home-life balance. She advises young women entering the industry to never give up, take breaks when needed to reset, surround themselves with supportive people, and believe in themselves through hard work and dedication, drawing inspiration from the Rocky movies to keep moving forward even when challenges arise.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jennifer
01What do you attribute your success to?
Honestly, I think it is some of it to show my kids, you know, if you're working hard, you can achieve a lot of things, and then I'd probably have to thank my parents. My parents were hard workers growing up, and, you know, always told me that, you know, if I want something, you just have to work hard for it. Things aren't free in life, and if it's free, there's always a catch. The drive right now is for my children, so that they can see that through hard work and still, like, that work-home-life balance. But to getting here, ultimately, I'd probably say I have to thank my parents.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
So, funny, I had, something else, is just to not give up. I know that's, that's, like, a cliffy thing, I feel like, to say, but sometimes it's okay in life to take a break, and to reset, and, you know, but if there's something that you really want in life. I truly believe that through hard work and determination and being surrounded by your coworkers or family that support you, I think your, you know, dreams you, you know, can come true. I think that's so silly to say, but, I just think through hard work and dedication and the commitment is what you need to have, and just to surround yourself by those people that support it will help make, you know, your dreams possible. I'm a big rocky person. It's even, like, you know, life's not about fun, finding rainbows. Like, you know, even when it's really hard, you just gotta keep moving forward, and the only person that's going to stop you from getting somewhere is yourself. Believe in yourself.
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