Good morning music fans and Happy Hump Day. So recently, I spoke with Becky Sawyer, a long time friend and owner of Beck's Bar, located on Goulais Avenue in the old White Eagle building. I met with her for a brief conversation about her new business venture and here is what she had to say about it all.
Becky, you have been in the bar and restaurant industry for 20 plus years, what do you credit your success to?
It all started in bar in Vancouver, where I got to broaden my social abilities with complete strangers on a regular basis. To make money, you have to be into it and I found that I was pretty good at it and I developed friendships over the years and is something that I appreciate. As a kid, my Mom was a big socialite and had lots of people around us at all times and its just something that I crave. I love the social activity and meeting new people. When its something you like, it comes very naturally and easily and I feel that was a big part of how far I have come in this industry.
What do you see for the future of Beck's?
It's a legacy to a degree. I have been in this industry for this long. and there was a time in my life a couple of years ago where I debated if this was the right industry for me, because I want to look to my future and retirement and if anybody who has worked in this field, knows that retirement is pretty much working on your feet so I thought about it hard. I love this job so much, the fast pace, energy, chaotic mess of it all, that I could never see myself sitting at a desk doing a 9 to 5 job, which isn't for me. It was go big or go home. There were many years running places for other people and making money for everyone else and not myself. It was time to leave something for my kids in the future. I think that this is going to be it and I'm happy to say that it's the greatest door I have opened.
You are now an independent bar owner. What does it represent to you?
It's kind of historic for me because of the amount of time I've spent in the Soo, working in a variety of restaurants and bars. I'm familiar with so many people and have taken so much time to personalize myself with everyone I come into contact with. It makes this part heroic for me, to be bold and step out and finally do it on my own, knowing that I have done this under the eyes of so many people. So many have told me that I needed to do this. I think the biggest part is just knowing that I have the supports in my life be it friends, acquaintances, and certainly family. It's a pivotal part in my life and in my future and am excited about it.
Part of your weekly event schedule is giving back to the community. Can you explain what that is?
I have always tried to integrate fundraising of some sort, and with a lot of charities already out there, I wanted to concentrate on the little things. Currently, this months revenue goes to help raise money for a young person named Revel. The family is going through some hard times. It takes a community to raise a baby and a family, and if I can help well that’s great. I was approached recently, about a young man who is a dynamite basketball player and was hand picked for a national team and needs money for his training. If I can help this person make his dreams come true well that’s worth it to me.
How does your family feel about your new venture.
My Mom and Dad are proud of me. They have stretched the boundaries when it comes to trusting me and all my chaos. They may not know what it's like running a bar. They know that I'm good at it and they hear the same from others. They have my back and that just goes with the territory of being a Mom or Dad. I want my kids to know that I work hard and have instilled the same ethic in them. My kids also work very hard and that's all you can really hope for your children and to set a good example.
So just to wrap things up what do you for fun.
When I'm not here I think about the bar all of the time. There's not a moment when the place is not on my mind. I love going to concerts and enjoy taking off to the nearest concert venue and take it all in. In my spare time I enjoy the quiet time with a cup of coffee and most of all sleep. Over the last six months, waiting for the bar to get off the ground, my sleep schedule has changed, now that I'm running around doing things for the bar.
Beck's is open 7 days a week from 2pm to 2am and you can keep up to date about different events on her facebook page.
Until next time folks, stay tuned, stay safe, and be kind.
Good morning music fans and Happy Hump Day.
So recently, I spoke with Becky Sawyer, a long time friend and owner of Beck's Bar, located on Goulais Avenue in the old White Eagle building.
I met with her for a brief conversation about her new business venture and here is what she had to say about it all.
Becky, you have been in the bar and restaurant industry for 20 plus years, what do you credit your success to?
It all started in bar in Vancouver, where I got to broaden my social abilities with complete strangers on a regular basis. To make money, you have to be into it and I found that I was pretty good at it and I developed friendships over the years and is something that I appreciate. As a kid, my Mom was a big socialite and had lots of people around us at all times and its just something that I crave. I love the social activity and meeting new people. When its something you like, it comes very naturally and easily and I feel that was a big part of how far I have come in this industry.
What do you see for the future of Beck's?
It's a legacy to a degree. I have been in this industry for this long. and there was a time in my life a couple of years ago where I debated if this was the right industry for me, because I want to look to my future and retirement and if anybody who has worked in this field, knows that retirement is pretty much working on your feet so I thought about it hard. I love this job so much, the fast pace, energy, chaotic mess of it all, that I could never see myself sitting at a desk doing a 9 to 5 job, which isn't for me. It was go big or go home. There were many years running places for other people and making money for everyone else and not myself. It was time to leave something for my kids in the future. I think that this is going to be it and I'm happy to say that it's the greatest door I have opened.
You are now an independent bar owner. What does it represent to you?
It's kind of historic for me because of the amount of time I've spent in the Soo, working in a variety of restaurants and bars. I'm familiar with so many people and have taken so much time to personalize myself with everyone I come into contact with. It makes this part heroic for me, to be bold and step out and finally do it on my own, knowing that I have done this under the eyes of so many people. So many have told me that I needed to do this. I think the biggest part is just knowing that I have the supports in my life be it friends, acquaintances, and certainly family. It's a pivotal part in my life and in my future and am excited about it.
Part of your weekly event schedule is giving back to the community. Can you explain what that is?
I have always tried to integrate fundraising of some sort, and with a lot of charities already out there, I wanted to concentrate on the little things. Currently, this months revenue goes to help raise money for a young person named Revel. The family is going through some hard times. It takes a community to raise a baby and a family, and if I can help well that’s great. I was approached recently, about a young man who is a dynamite basketball player and was hand picked for a national team and needs money for his training. If I can help this person make his dreams come true well that’s worth it to me.
How does your family feel about your new venture.
My Mom and Dad are proud of me. They have stretched the boundaries when it comes to trusting me and all my chaos. They may not know what it's like running a bar. They know that I'm good at it and they hear the same from others. They have my back and that just goes with the territory of being a Mom or Dad. I want my kids to know that I work hard and have instilled the same ethic in them. My kids also work very hard and that's all you can really hope for your children and to set a good example.
So just to wrap things up what do you for fun.
When I'm not here I think about the bar all of the time. There's not a moment when the place is not on my mind. I love going to concerts and enjoy taking off to the nearest concert venue and take it all in. In my spare time I enjoy the quiet time with a cup of coffee and most of all sleep. Over the last six months, waiting for the bar to get off the ground, my sleep schedule has changed, now that I'm running around doing things for the bar.
Beck's is open 7 days a week from 2pm to 2am and you can keep up to date about different events on her facebook page.
Until next time folks, stay tuned, stay safe, and be kind.