Meaghan Mayer Fitzgerald

Jacob Wirth Restaurant
General Manager

Years with company:  3 ½ years

Education degrees and professional/volunteer organizations: I began culinary school but did not complete my degree.  In the last two years I have been responsible for fundraisers that Jacob Wirth has hosted which have raised over $28,000.00 for the MGH Burn Center.  I also work closely with the Burn Survivors of New England and provide catering and help at as many of their functions throughout the year as I can.

Mentors and how have they assisted you in your career: I was lucky enough to grow up in a family business.  A family business can become like a person not an entity.  Seeing how my father managed this was an education I could not ever have learned in school.  My mother taught me to look at the small things, that every detail is important even a crooked light and that consistency is paramount.  Both my parents spent all their free time giving to others which shaped me to be driven to give back as much and as often as I can.

What are you most proud of in your career achievements? Do you have a defining moment of your career to date? My dad was severely burned in a gasoline tanker accident.  It is hard to go through a major tragedy, when it involves someone you are close to and running a business with it seems impossible.  Surviving that and growing the business through that time changed my view of my job and myself for the better.

Most challenging part of your job: Always smiling

Advice for upcoming younger executives:

Three things:

1. Don’t take things too personally. You will always have upset customers or staff, and there is always the chance to make things better if you stay calm and keep perspective on the situation.
2. Actually read all the industry magazines you are sent.  Something’s may not be pertinent or applicable but they may spark an idea in your mind that is.
3. When a customer has a good experience they will tell 2 or 3 friends if you are lucky.  If they have a bad experience they will tell 10 friends.  With the aspect of online review sites multiply that number infinitely.  So serve every customer like they are your first.

Hobbies: Traveling with my husband.  In this industry vacations are important because more often than not your job is 24/7.