Author finds the perfect job allowing her time to promote her work.

Kristalen is an author and extrovert who loves helping people.

She came to LEAP for help finding the right job in the hospitality industry so that she could leverage their flexibility to work around her schedule as an author for her book signings.

Working with Tonya, LEAP Employment Specialist, she expressed concerns from past employers who were not fully cooperative to place accommodations she needed to be successful or was being bullied by peers. They put a skills training plan in place to help her improve her job seeking skills, soft skills like communication with co-workers and management to help her request and advocate for herself.

Through these efforts, Kristalen landed a position at the Hampton Inn, Beachwood, as a Breakfast Attendant.

They were supportive and didn’t hesitate to purchase the accommodations she needed. In addition, as a perk with the company, they worked with her so that she has the flexibility to go to book fairs each month for her book signings.

Ryan, Hampton Inn Manager, “is very cool there”, said Kristalen. “They are very helpful – it’s more of a team effort. (Staff) are always willing to assist if I need it; I’ve felt welcomed.”

She enjoys that the work is constantly changing with different hotel guests keeping things interesting. “The best is attending to guests,” says Kristalen, “I appreciate working with the kids to make sure they are doing things safely in the cooking area.”

One of the guests left a letter of appreciation to the hotel manager. Kristalen said, “I just want to help people and change someone’s perspective to make them have a good day. One guest told me, ‘I love the food. Didn’t want to try it before you told me to try, and it was really good, so thank you.’”

“Tonya worked by the book!” exclaimed Kristalen. “She keeps great communication and returns calls and emails. She’s very active, checking in on you – she won’t forget you. She sees the good in you and congratulates and applauds you to keep pushing you. I appreciate her. And would recommend LEAP to others; they came through.”