EDUCATION: High school and some college.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? School teacher.

FIRST JOB: McDonald's.

WORST JOB: I take any job that I do and I do my best! I don't think I have had a bad job.

HOW DID YOU END UP OWNING MAINSTREET GRILL AND BAR? I started in September 2002 as a waitress. Within three months I was a bartender, and became the bar manager in the spring of 2004. In September 2005, I had the opportunity to purchase the restaurant and took ownership on Jan. 1, 2006.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DECISION YOU'RE WRESTLING WITH NOW? The biggest challenge is the same as for everyone else in America right now: the economy. Going out to eat or to grab a drink is something people do if they have the extra money to spend. Our food is freshly made. We keep our cost to our customers down. We give great value for their money. For example, we offer $7 lunch special Monday through Friday and dinner specials every night. So keeping up with our high overhead while keeping prices low is a huge challenge!

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOUR JOB? Each day is different. You never know how busy or how not busy you will be! I wish that we could pack the place every day.

WHO WAS AND IS YOUR HERO? My mother was my hero when I was a child. She was a single mother who worked full time and went to college! She showed me how to work hard!. My hero today would have to be my husband. He challenges me every day to strive.

WHO WAS YOUR MENTOR AND WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE HE OR SHE GAVE YOU? My good friend Helen Brosnan. She owned Rooney Public House here in Stafford. It was a great little Irish pub in Aquia Town Center. They had to close because their building was sold and then demolished. I can call her whenever I need to talk to her about business or just to cry on her shoulder.