Influential Woman · Restaurant hospitality
Tina Smith
Assistant manager, --
Columbus, OH
Her Story
About Tina
Tina Smith serves as assistant manager at a restaurant in the hospitality industry, a role she has held for one year. With approximately 10 years of experience in restaurant hospitality, she previously worked as general manager of a small mom-and-pop shop, where she began as a bartender and server before taking control during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the business survived. Prior to entering hospitality, she held positions in retail management. Tina's education comes from life experience rather than formal degrees, though she holds certifications in diamantology gemology and surf safe management. She attributes her professional success to her family, particularly her six children, and focuses on helping others advance in their careers. As a leader, Tina emphasizes getting to know each team member individually rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, and she values treating everyone equally while serving as a supportive voice for those who need it. Her greatest professional opportunity lies in developing team members for higher roles, even as she navigates challenges such as being the only female on her management team amid generational differences.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tina
01What do you attribute your success to?
My family. I wanted to not let them down. My six children, my family is more than doubled in size now. I want them to be proud of me, how hard I've worked. My focus was always just doing the best I could for them, helping them become successful in their personal lives, in their professional lives.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
To not treat all of your employees the same, you kind of have to get to know each individual person. You can't coach everyone the same. You can't expect the same results from everyone, you can't teach everyone the same. It's just trying to find what works with each individual person.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is probably just to get to know your people. Just to know and understand other people. Like I'm a nonstop cheerleader. I never ask anyone to do something I'm not willing to do with them.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenge is being the only female on my management team. We're all different ages, also. It's generational. Sometimes it's hard for me to have a voice there. I don't think I'm always heard. My greatest opportunity is developing other people to go into a higher role than what they are in.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
To treat everyone the same. To always support people and to be there, be a voice for people that don't have a voice of their own. Always be kind to everyone.
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