Her Story
About Linda
Linda Nivar is the Regional Director of Tiki Chick in New York City, a remote position she holds after nearly five years with the company, including four and a half years as General Manager. She began her career in culinary and pastry arts, working at Bobo and Gramercy Tavern, before transitioning to beverage roles starting as a barback at The Dorrance in Providence, Rhode Island, and advancing through positions at Mace, Blacktail, Clover Club, and Fats Duvall's Rum Cafe in SoHo. Nivar graduated from Johnson and Wales University in 2017 with a degree in Culinary and Pastry Arts and a sommelier minor, earning summa cum laude honors along with academic excellence awards and trips to Italy, Barbados, and Oaxaca. Her certifications include Certified Specialist in Spirits and Wine, WSAT Level 1 and Level 2, Tequila Regulations Certification, TIPS Certification, and a Sommelier Minor. She attributes her success to her mother's example as a single immigrant from El Salvador who learned English and rose to assistant general manager at the airport before joining JetBlue, combined with her father's entrepreneurial spirit. Nivar is co-founding Luna Lumbre, a coffee and tea business, and Alex the Great beverage consulting with her husband, while mentoring staff and supporting causes such as donations to schools and Pacific Islanders organizations through her work.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Linda
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my mom's example as a single immigrant mom from El Salvador who learned English by watching cartoons with me and became an assistant general manager at the airport and now works for JetBlue. She raised me without excuses, and my dad's entrepreneurial spirit and hard work also inspire me. There's no excuse for me not to succeed.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My dad told me to always be a sponge and absorb everything. I went into the beverage side with a culinary mindset of keeping my head down and working hard, saying yes chef whether right or wrong. This mentality has paid off, and I apply it by mentoring staff who grow from busser to bartender.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd say just focus on you, worry about what you're doing, don't worry necessarily about what he or she is doing, because at the end of the day, your hard work will pay off. Just focus on your path. Everybody's path is different, everybody's end goals are different. Just focus on you.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is not having a driver's license yet after moving from New York where I used public transit. Learning to drive will give me flexibility to visit accounts, partner with liquor brands, and build community relationships in Florida.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, dedication, and kindness are most important. Kindness is the foundation for good relationships because it shapes how you communicate. I can be strict with my team but they know I will always support them when needed.
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