Danika Dolinsky Email & Phone Number

Northglenn, Colorado, United States

After managing restaurants through a pandemic, and more, I made the difficult decision to take a step back and return to school to finish the degree I started over 13 years ago. Working at First Watch has provided me an opportunity to work day-time shifts while completing online schoolwork at night. As a lead server I act as a trainer to new hires as well as assisting in shift planning and accountability.

Wheat Ridge, Colorado, United States

After my success opening new restaurants, I was looking for the next challenge, and full-time management provided that challenge. Responsibilities include: day-to-day shift planning and operations, money management, hiring staff and writing schedules, food safety and sanitation oversight, as well as managing labor and food costs. Started out in the front-of-house, and began culinary training within two months. Striving to be the manager I always wanted to work for, fair but firm. My staff finds me approachable, and I am always looking for positive coaching opportunities that will enhance their experience as well as the experience of our guests. Balancing the needs of the employee with the needs of the guest is crucial to a successful restaurant, and I firmly believe that the way a staff is treated is how they will treat their guests. Hospitality means so much more than just providing a service, and managers must set that tone for their staff.

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Traveled across the country opening new restaurants, working on a total of 8 projects over the course of three years. Each opening was a 6-8 week commitment, working anywhere from 50-80 hours per week depending on the project. Responsibilities included: staging training rooms, creating training materials, teaching classes, staging of new restaurants pre-open, recruiting staff, and supporting management teams in advance of grand opening day. After grand opening, trainers worked side-by-side with the new staff in whatever roles allowed us to offer the most support. Worked my way up to a lead trainer role. This afforded me the opportunity to be the first trainer on site, and set the tone for the project by being the first impression for our initial waves of hires. I relished the opportunity to represent our brand, and share my experience with our trainees. My goal was not only to set them up for success in our environment, but also to broaden their perspective in ways that translated both in and out of work. I grew in this department for a number of years, and began to teach regional training classes to new trainers before moving into a management role.

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

Started as a server at my first restaurant job, not knowing what to expect. Quickly, I became immersed in a hospitality culture that I couldn't get enough of! Received my first promotion two-months in, from a new server to a cocktail server working in the busiest sections of the restaurant. About six months later I was promoted into the bar, and became an in-house server trainer shortly after. I maintained these positions throughout the time I worked as a Corporate Trainer, continuing to serve and bartend at my home store in-between projects. Setting myself apart with my work ethic and positive attitude earned me the respect of my bosses and peers. My ability to anticipate the needs of my guests allowed me to create a fun and professional experience that kept them coming back, and I still maintain relationships with many of our regular guests.

Rockville, Maryland, United States

After working as a top seller and lab technician across multiple stores, I was rewarded with my own store to manage. I learned how to manage hiring and scheduling of employees, and created documents to aide in training and operations. My team consisted of myself, and seven employees both part- and full-time. In less than three months I brought our store from bottom three to top three in our region (out of fourteen stores). As sales leader I accounted for almost 50% of store sales, and continued to teach camera and photography classes. Unfortunately, about 5 months into my new position the company declared bankruptcy, and within a month of that time my store was one of hundreds to close. I was one of a handful of managers who were kept in employment, and transferred to the lone remaining location, where I worked as a sales associate until 2014.

Bethesda, Maryland, United States

This was my first job, and was extremely formative in my social skills and salesmanship in every position I've held since. I learned how to confidently approach customers, and asses their needs before choosing appropriate products and services for them. I took pride in keeping the displays organized and clean, changing out products as needed to show off the featured items. I learned to operate all lab equipment, and eventually took lead of a flagship program of one-on-one camera/photography classes. Customers could learn to operate a camera, pick up on general photography knowledge, or gain skills in photoshop and other computer related photography programs.

4.0

Education record

Education record