Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Rose Sneed.
Hi Monique Rose, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
To begin, I would start from Milwaukee Wisconsin, where I grew up. At 16, life threw my first twist, when I became a mom. Something about motherhood activated me in a way, that looking back was probably the seed for my entrepreneurial mindset being awakened. I began working as a bartender shortly after, added bar and restaurant manager to the skillset, later consultant, author, and eventually landed as Restauranteur, which was the biggest twist and turn. That is a story in itself, but it’s one that is still evolving and surprising me, and I love all the twists and turns that have gotten me to where I am today. Outside of my professional story, I later had my daughter, and recently married the love of my life, to say that I am happy and grateful would be an understatement.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth, but that would be boring wouldn’t it??? Struggles are a part of the journey and that is one of the things that I knew from a young age. Struggles with the unpredictability of the restaurant and hospitality industry, struggles of working with a business partner, struggles of being a mother and an entrepreneur, and struggles of finding a team that I trust.
I could go on, but what is most important about any struggle big or small is how you perceive the struggle, how deeply you believe in the guidance you receive to get through it, and finally, the discipline to follow through. I’ve always bet on myself and God. It’s led to me confidently backing up my motto of “Outwork Everybody” I take this challenge on every single day and even apply it to who I was yesterday!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Monique Rose Management is a consulting group that owns restaurant concepts, restaurants, a management and consulting services portfolio that launches, re-launches, and manages restaurants, La Caj Seafood, in Camp Springs, MD, The Bodega, a “NY Bodega” inspired restaurant with a “Keith Lee approved” chopped cheese that will have you coming by Main Street every week, LOL!
The Collab, a content creation space and studio in College Park, Milk n’ Cookies, an exotic snap shop also in College Park, a Logistics business in Alabama, and a personal brand and community called The Winner’s Circle. It would be too hard to say which brand I am most proud of because I have made sure that they all represent what I believe in. I have times when one is my favorite, like La’ Caj Seafood because of the pure conceptual freedom I had to bring it to life and how well it’s doing now in Maryland.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
There are lessons with each leap forward and every setback. I can’t discredit any of them, but most recently, I would say that the importance of the team that you have or are building is paramount. I put so much value on the people that I work with each day to keep these businesses running, and they value me as well.
It’s the mutual respect, trust, and work ethic that will take you further than any amount of followers, education, or company name on a resume. Another important lesson is to never stop learning, I would say to never stop becoming hungry to learn more than what you know and be open to learning what you don’t know.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.moniquerose.com
- Instagram: @themoniquerose
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-rose-sneed-5b713a81?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Joseph Edwards Photography
