Hi! My name is Pepper and I'm the creator of this cathartic podcast and site!
I have been working in the service industry on and off for over 20 years. Since moving to Atlanta in 2004 I have worked at many incredible places. I have also worked for some people I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I have been rewarded and blessed to have sustained some relationships and connections that have rescued me when I needed it the most. I have also been fired because I refused to perform illegal duties assigned to me by owners, CEO's and one specific director of operations who set this fire in me in motion.
I decided to say fuck it and create this podcast because it was time. It was time to start talking about the hurt and the pain we go through everyday. The punishment we receive when we voice concerns or struggles. Or my all time favorite, any loss or hardship is simply a burden and you're let go instead of lifted up and supported. It was time to stand up for myself and for others instead of allowing the constant threats from someone in a power position to yield an unsafe and mental debilitating environment. We as service industry employees are afraid to tell the truth. Afraid to speak up. Afraid to fight back when it's necessary. Why? Because we are constantly being threatened with our jobs. Jobs that we might love. Jobs that we may have worked so hard to obtain. Jobs that we started before the spot was even open and poured ourselves into.
Well not anymore. I originally started writing about my days in this industry to savor great memories, unforgettable openings and simply to de-stress. Then my father died. At first this loss and grief destroyed me. And instead of having continued support I was met with resentment and impatience. I kept blaming myself for not "getting it together" quickly enough. And then I found an incredible therapist. I thinned my circle to a small, incredibly supportive few. And began to heal. And began to write. It started as just that. Writing and more writing to vent in the only place that felt safe. Then it became a source of validation and proof I had actually accomplished some incredible things over the years with almost zero credit. And then the fire grew in me. From all the hard work and loyalty I had put into so many places and people. Most of it forgotten and never returned. I have kept these details and stories to myself for over 20 years out of fear. But what am I afraid of really? Not working for yet another inflated (unearned) ego? Or not being able to get yet another service industry job? Losing people who don't truly care about me or my family. Losing a job where I was never actually valued in the first place. After enduring some serious threatening and slanderous behavior from people and places I help build up, I have decided to share it with the world. It's time everyone gets to know the truth about the places they love and frequent. It's time you find out what some of these people are really like. How they treat their staff. How they treat people who helped build their businesses. How they repay people who helped get them a job when they couldn't find one. How they return the free placements of the spirits in many wells and back bars of the distributors they work for. And how they repay the generous connections provided to them with the people they now know today!
It's time for you to decide if want to continue to support the places that do not support you.
INSTEAD
let's lift up the venues, bars, restaurants, owners and people that still uphold the true meaning of the word "FAM."