Her Story
About Kimberly
Kimberly Roberts has spent more than two decades building a career in hospitality, driven by her passion for taking care of people. She started at the bottom as a hostess for a Steakhouse Incorporated chain and progressed through serving, bartending, head waiter duties, managing accounting and back-of-house operations, and into management roles. Prior to her current position, she managed the restaurant and pub at a Forbes 5-star resort in Kohler, Wisconsin, overseeing approximately 50 staff members independently and contributing to high-profile events such as Kohler Food and Wine and features with Martha Stewart. Today, she serves as General Manager of the event venue at Ember Social, a beautifully restored 1868 blacksmith shop that now hosts intimate weddings, corporate events, private dinners, and community gatherings, while also supporting her boss across six different LLCs. Throughout her journey, Roberts has navigated challenges like work-life balance as a mother and partner, and she advises young women entering the field to never sell themselves short and to trust in their ability to learn and succeed even when facing new opportunities alone.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kimberly
01What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never sell yourself short or underestimate what you can learn and what you can do. Just because you haven't done it yet doesn't mean that you can't figure it out. Even if you have to do it alone, you will figure it out, and if you try hard enough, you will do well.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Work-life balance has been a consistent challenge. You want to do it all and make sure everything goes off without a hitch, from the first phone call to completion. Having dedication can sometimes be a burden because it's hard to be fully present as a mom, as a partner, and also fully present in making sure all clients' needs are exceeded.
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