March 8 is International Women’s Day and we are getting inspired through the stories of some of our very own female team members! This month we sat down for Q&A with some inspiring team members in our company and wanted to share their stories with you. Check out the interviews below and be sure to let us know if there is a team member that you want to highlight on International Women’s Day by shooting us a note through Instagram at @LunaGrill.
Linda Camacho– General Manager of Luna Grill Irvine Spectrum
Background:
Hired January 2017. Linda started out at Luna Grill Huntington Beach (Bella Terra) as a Restaurant Manager. After a few months, she was promoted to General Manager and following this she moved over to Luna Grill Irvine Spectrum in January 2019 as General Manager.
Advice she was given that stuck with her throughout her career:
“Everyone is replaceable” – it’s not WHAT you do, it’s HOW you do it and the quality of work/how you make people feel!
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
My kids. I am a mom of 2 with a 5 year old and a 7 year old.
Advice to females:
Know who you are and what you want to be. Have your vision and follow it!
What do you do outside of work?
Party planning – I love working within a budget to manage events. I planned our team’s holiday event this year!
DIY house activities – I would love to eventually get into house flipping
What is your favorite part about working for Luna Grill?
At Luna Grill, I am not a number. I’m an actual person and treated that way. My team at Luna is my family and I know I can count on them for anything.
Go to meal
Flat cut chicken with EXTRA crispy lavash
Describe Luna in 1 word:
Organic. Everything is real: the food, the people. She loves that Luna Grill doesn’t even have a microwave, that’s how organic it is!
How did she find Luna?
As a mom she wants her kids to eat real. She found Luna through sourcing healthy food for her kids to enjoy.
Isis Ruiz- General Manager of Luna Grill Irvine Marketplace
Background:
Isis started out at Luna Grill in 2017. She’s worked her way up to becoming a General Manager at our Irvine Market Place restaurant.
Who is your biggest role model?
My mom. She has been a housekeeper for 15 years and works so hard. Everyday she gets out of bed with a ton of energy and fully embraces life. When I grow up, I want to be just like her.
What is one thing that people do not know about you?
I have absolutely no idea how to cook. Most people wouldn’t know that I have no idea what I am doing in the kitchen.
Waht is your favorite item at Luna Grill?
Definitely the Salmon. I love our Salmon a la carte, on a salad, honestly I’ll eat it on anything.
Describe Luna Grill in 1 word.
If I could describe Luna Grill in 1 word it would be family.
Becca Herrera – Regional Director of Operations
Background:
Becca has been with Luna Grill for 8 years! She started working for us in in 2010 as a Cashier at our Bressi Ranch location.
Career Path:
Over the years, Becca has worn many hats including District Manager and more. She was recently promoted to Regional Director of Operations for our Orange County and LA restaurants!
What advice do you have for other women in Leadership?
Some advice that I have for women in leadership today that I have experienced throughout my 8 years with Luna Grill are these 3 tips to success:
- Come into work with a positive attitude everyday. No matter the day, no matter the time, having a positive attitude and being ready for the day is so important.
- If you don’t know the answer, just ask! Don’t be afraid to build relationships with other departments, people in your brand or your company to help you find the answers and be successful.
- Let your work do the talking. If you come in to work with a positive attitude everyday, you build relationships and follow the standards by doing what you are supposed to do then everything will fall into place.
Describe Luna Grill in 1 word:
Family
Valeria Cuenca – Restaurant Manager, Luna Grill UCI
Background
Valeria has been at Luna Grill for 3 years. She started out as a cashier at Luna Grill Irvine Spectrum and she then she moved over to Luna Grill University City at Irvine as a Shift Leader in February of 2017. Last year she was promoted to Restaurant Manager at our UCI location.
Who is your biggest Role Model?
My mom because she aspires her journey. She started from the bottom and worked her way up through dedication and hard work. She moved to the United States from Japan for school and now she has a great job and family.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
The thought of being successful. I spend a lot of time at school and at the gym working on my own personal goals.
What’s your favorite Luna Meal?
Chicken plate with a house salad and side of tabbouleh!
Describe Luna Grill in 1 word:
Motivating. Luna has pushed me to move up in my career instead of staying stagnant in 1 place.