Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Benesch.
Michele, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was very fortunate coming out of college as my passion for marketing and reputation of hard work landed me an internship in Dallas, Texas at Emperion, a joint venture between EDS and John Alden Financial. The internship lasted a year and was the classic from the ground up approach which entailed 12 hours days, 6 days a week for bare minimum. But, I was grateful for the opportunity and realize now looking back on that time it was an invaluable way to learn the basics, work hard and keep focus on my goals.
The internship transitioned into a full-time position in Miami, Florida under John Alden Financial at John Alden System Company. My time there was invaluable as I was able to work on RFP’s, create and implement marketing campaigns for new divisions of the company, help build their web-site to reflect the branding we had established and create new corporate events such as a company golf tournament and JASCO off-site team building get away weekends.
After four years at JASCO, I took a position with Interval International as their Marketing Communications Manager. This new position allowed me to not only develop and implement marketing campaigns in International Markets but also in the fun industry of vacations! The next 5 years were filled with creating and implementing international marketing campaigns, creating story lines and filming corporate videos, working on developer retention campaigns, working with a team on the annual trade show booth of 10,000-square feet and the annual corporate party where we hired the likes of Chicago, Doobie Brothers and even Howie Mandel. I had a great time and learned a ton.
During the last year of working at Interval International, I met my husband, Scott Benesch. After we got married, I quit my job and we briefly lived in Nassau, Bahamas before moving to New York City. It was then that I realized, I was ready to represent my family business and start selling their product. I was, in fact, now living in the restaurant capital of the world! So, I would set out everyday with my little roller bag, think pharmaceutical sales person, and hit 10 – 15 restaurants everyday. It wasn’t easy but by the end of year one, I had $100,000 in sales. For the next two years I continued to do the same thing; visit all appointments set then hit another 10 – 15 restaurants. It was great, I was a part of the best part of NYC… the food! In three years, I had sales of $300,000+ with clients who were small family establishments with only 20 seats to household names like Waldorf Astoria, SOHO House and Metropolitan Art Museum.
Upon the arrival of my son, we knew it was time to head back to Miami and raise him around family. It was at that time I joined the management side of Menu Men, Inc. and the last 11 years have been awesome! Everyday I make mini marketing campaigns for people by way of their menu. Think of it as, it is the ONLY piece created inside a restaurant that you are guaranteed EVERONE will read! Your menu has to say who you are in a glance. It has to be visually pleasing yet not cluttered. It has to list everything that is served yet be easy to read. And it should tell the establishments story. In short, a mini marketing campaign.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is never smooth. Of course there have been bumps along the way; struggling with my dyslexia and learning how to turn it into my benefit (I see things outside of the box as a norm without even trying to, which gives me an edge), dealing with my brother’s death when I was only 20 years old, emotionally heart-broken multiple times with four miscarriages before the blessing of our children and even now as my mother is losing her battle against Parkinson’s. I know there isn’t a thing I can do or say to make it better, but just sit by her side and let her know she is my world and means everything to me. That is just life. I just refuse to let it stop me, I keep pushing, keep fighting and never loose my faith in God.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Menu Men, inc. – what should we know?
Menu Men, Inc. is a third generation, family owned and operated business celebrating 50 years in the hospitality industry. We are one of the largest and most respected menu specialists in the United States winning national awards in the industry for both menu design and production.
Menu Men provides unique and truly custom created pieces with quicker production turn-around time because we handle every aspect of the manufacturing process in our own plant located in the heart of Miami, Florida.
Menu Men’s mission is to provide our customers with a quality product to accommodate your needs and your budget. Regardless of whether you represent a small 40-seat diner, a national restaurant chain, a hotel, a conference center or a multiple ship cruise line. Let us design your menu to maximize your customer communication and strengthen your corporate image.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1301 NW 27 Avenue
Miami, FL 33125 - Website: www.menumen.com
- Phone: 305-633-7925
- Email: menus@menumen.com
- Instagram: @menumeninc
- Facebook: menumeninc
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