Spotlight on Ame Kuyper
How long have you worked for BJ’s?
I started in May of 1996.
Why did you decide to apply for a position at BJ’s?
Some managers I liked at Claim Jumper came to BJ’s and said how great it was. I loved the bread at the time – it was made from pizza dough dipped in butter. I actually worked at both CJ and BJ’s for almost a year because I wasn’t sure BJ’s was going to make it!
In what roles and at what locations have you worked (outlining your path/progression)?
I started as a server and bookkeeper (a first for BJ’s) in Brea in 1996. I went into management at Brea after about a year, then helped in the transition of restaurants and training of managers in Oregon when we acquired Pietro’s. It took me about 2 years as a manager (worked a short time under GM Rob Deliema!) until I got the GM spot at Brea at age 24. I was the GM at Brea for about 1 year before I left to go open our West Covina Restaurant in August of 2000. In January of 2001, I was promoted to Regional Operations and Management Development Coordinator. I still am not sure what that title meant but I opened restaurants (I was part of the opening of our first 4 Texas restaurants, our first Arizona restaurant and Brewery, and our first Northern CA one in Cupertino), helped restaurants that were in trouble, worked to develop managers to the GM level and began focusing on our bar business. In 2003, I was working as director of beverage. I created our first every drink menu, started the bartender drink contest, and standardized all of our drinks and liquors. In 2005, I became an Area Director that eventually became a Director of Operations. During my tenure, I promoted 10-12 managers per year and broke every sales record the company had at the time. In March of 2010, I was promoted to Senior Director of Operations Services and then 3 months later to Vice President, Operations Services.
Who are your mentors? Did you seek them out or did they find you? How have they helped your development? Feel free to mention them by name.
I challenge myself to learn something from every person I meet. I believe everyone has something to offer you, if you look for it. Sometimes it is what to do and sometimes it is what not to do. I learned from Jerry Hennessey how much loyalty is driven by being in the trenches with your team. I learned from Pete Rodgers that being a great team is more important than being a great individual leader on a management team. I learned from Tim Tait the more I am doing someone else's job the less I am doing mine. I learned from Will Haerer that my quality of life has a direct affect on my team's quality of life. My Mom taught me how being on time is a sign of respect for someone else's time. Wayne Jones is teaching me that finesse and patience sometimes go further than a bulldozer - I am still learning this one.
What have been the biggest challenges you have had to overcome during your career? How have you overcome them?
I was probably my own biggest challenge to overcome. I wanted everyone to be as driven as I am and want to be directed like I do and that is far from the reality. When I learned to slow down, learn about each person I was working with, and coach them the way they wanted to be coached, I was far more successful. My other biggest challenge was being a very young female manager. I had to learn to conduct myself with the utmost professionalism with repairmen who thought I knew nothing and far more experienced, older male managers. I took the time to learn about HVAC units, learned to be confident without being arrogant, to have a swagger even when I was unsure, to have high standards but not to be mean, and to hold my composure no matter how frustrated I was at the situation. I learned to live by never letting them see you sweat and never letting them see you cry.
Why have you stayed with BJ’s?
I love the family I get to work with and because BJ's actually does what is written on the promise card. I get to work with funny, smart, hardworking people who are all driven to be the best and make BJ's the best. Lots of things have changed over my tenure here but the quality of people, the culture of being the best, and the drive to do whatever it takes to get there is the same as it was when I first walked through the door in 1996.
What advice would you provide to a recently promoted BJ’s manager who strives to advance within the Company?
Look for a lesson in every experience - good or bad. Reflect back on coaching conversations, your shift execution, guests interactions, or conversations with your boss. Look for what worked and what you could have done better. Then when you are ready for it, ask all of them (peers, bosses, guests, direct reports) for feedback on what you can do better and act on it!
What is your favorite book or quote that would be helpful to women at BJ’s seeking to hone their leadership or management skills?
My favorite book to give out is the One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey. This book describes women to a tee. We will carry anyone willing to give us their load to the detriment of our own performance. My second favorite book is 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. There is something in there for everyone. One chapter speaks to the fact that people will follow a good leader down a bad road but won't follow a bad leader down a good road. I reread this one every few years just to center my focus.
Which of your skills do you think is the greatest benefit to BJ’s? What new skills have you acquired during the course of your career at BJ’s?
I have become a functional expert and seen the value that brings to any position I hold. I strive to be the one people come to when they have a question because they know I will know the right way or we will learn together. I have also learned to be a coach here at BJ's. Early in my career, I would have just taken over the situation and resolved it. Now I know the value of coaching and how to help someone else get the win.
What motivates you to do a great job and to strive for advancement?
I want to be the very best I can. I want to be able to say at the end of the day I gave it everything I had. I am proud of the company I work for and want to make sure I am doing my share to keep driving BJ's to be the best it can be. Advancement has great benefits. Of course there is financial benefit on one side but the part that really drives me is the ability to coach, mentor, and affect more people the higher up I go at BJ's.
Why do you think WeCAN will be a valuable resource to our team members?
WeCAN provides a way for people wanting to improve the ability to meet and work with others who want the same thing. The strength of team effort far outweighs the effort of one. WeCAN networks together women who might not get a chance to meet or talk to each other during normal circumstances. This networking allows for a free exchange of ideas, advice, and motivation.
