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Printer-Friendly ModeZehnder encourages female leadership
February 19, 2007 —
Judy Zehnder Keller of Bavarian Inn, Inc. spoke on women occupying leadership roles in business on Friday.
Roughly a dozen students attended to hear Zehnder Keller's story about how she and her family established themselves with the Bavarian Inn and Zehnder's Restaurant in Frankenmuth. She also provided suggestions for those considering owning a family business in the future.
Zehnder Keller began the presentation with a brief overview of Frankenmuth. She explained many of the early settlers in Frankenmuth were businesspeople, and by 1927, the Zehnders bought themselves a building to begin their restaurant business.
Prohibition gave business a rocky start. When it hit, it was hard for the restaurant to stay open. However, it usually served alcohol anyway as it was a large part of the culture in Frankemuth.
"Not being able to provide alcoholic beverages is the kiss of death," Zehnder Keller said.
She also mentioned how the kitchen is the most important part in the restaurant, probably even more so than cleanliness and service.
"The heart of the restaurant is the kitchen," she said. "It's the presentation of the food. It's the quality of the food."
Many of the jobs people normally don't want, Zehnder Keller argues, are usually the ones that also make up the heart of a restaurant and hotel, such as dishwashing.
Once the Zehnders owned both the Bavarian Inn and Zehnder's Restaurant, the town began to take on a more Bavarian look, as if everything was from 1845. The rest of the town caught on.
Zehnder Keller expressed concern for those without positive attitudes in the workplace. She firmly believes that learning doesn't stop at college, and some of her best employees are those who continue to try to improve their skills, even if they don't have college degrees.
"I think our universities make a big mistake in just teaching academics and we don't spend enough time on the soul," she said. "You have an obligation to come to work with a good attitude to create enjoyable experiences."