Being here at the Chamber over the last 2-years has been a whirlwind filled with challenges and victories but most importantly has given me the opportunity to work with and get to know some truly great people. Some are members, staff, board members, vendors and business owners/managers. The one-thing they all have in common is Escondido and their relationship with this community here in Inland North County San Diego. It’s been rewarding and I feel we’ve really made a difference. You may not always see the difference we’re making but as I think about the impact and changes the Chamber has made, I’m convinced we really are making a difference. We have a way to go but, we have a plan and an active and vibrant Board ready to help move this Chamber forward.
As an example of what I’m talking about I’d like to share an email. Below is a copy of that email from Thom Terrazas, Marketing Director for Jersey Mike’s based on a conversation he and I had along with our Ambassador President, Cheryl Engdahl after our Government Affairs meeting yesterday. I asked Mike to send me a recap of our conversation and got his permission to share…
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This is Thom from Jersey Mike's Subs. I just got home and thought I better send this to you before I get interrupted with family life tasks :)
We were talking about our staffing for Jersey Mike's this past year and how we were affected by Covid.
We definitely took a big punch to the gut when Covid hit last year, just like most of us but have turned the corner to recovery and have done very well this year. Our online marketing came around at the right time so that customers could download the app, order and pick up their food without having to wait in line. We helped with free delivery and 50% off your order to help out the community. Nevertheless, this has increased our need to hire additional people at a speedy rate, especially in Escondido. I mentioned that I work mainly with our Marketing needs, but I was amazed to find out that throughout all of our stores, our employees are making close to $20 an hour after factoring in their tips. Some are making more than that after they have met performance goals. If you think it isn't possible to make a decent living in the restaurant business, we have managers of our stores that were hired when they were teenagers. Cream rises to the top, just like our bread! :)
So, if you know some good people that like to have fun and can genuinely carry on a conversation with people while making sub sandwiches, we have some great opportunities.
A little bit about me...
As you witnessed, I know a lot of people in the community. Escondido is where I grew up and have spent a lot of time here. I got to know many people through a passion of mine, which is soccer (futbol). I have coached or played or refereed with a lot of the families in the community and for the most part, soccer and this community has given me as much as I have given to the community.
I met my wife through soccer many years ago. When I was a teenager, I used to play soccer with my wife's brother and that's how I met my Lee Ann. I was sweet on her back then, but we went on to live separate lives only to reconnect 27 years later at her birthday party. We started talking that day and we haven't stopped yet after seven years.
I have my current job (Marketing Director for Jersey Mike's Subs) because of soccer. When my daughter was about eight years old, I decided to coach her team and after eight years of coaching, I got to know a great number of little girls and their families. One of those families, the Leonard’s (Steve and Jolene) started some of the earliest Jersey Mike's locations in San Diego and remembered me when they had an opening on their team almost two years ago. Now I get to work for a tremendous ownership team with some great co-workers and my main priority is to help the community I grew up in. What an amazing opportunity for me to be given the tools and resources to give back to others! (....by the way, if you know of any schools or recreational programs that need assistance, I'm the guy to contact to help set up fundraisers through Jersey Mike's Subs)
Well, that's probably more than you asked for James. I hope I didn't ramble on for too long. Let me know if there is anything that I can help you with and I'm sure I'll see you at the next meeting.
Best always,
-Thom
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I hope you too see what I felt when I heard their story of survival, commitment to their staff and the community. Congratulations Jersey Mike’s and thank you Thom.
Cheers,
James Rowten (JR)
