At the age of 16, Samantha Frye embarked on her journey at Rosalie’s Restaurant in Strasburg, Ohio as a dishwasher. Little did she know that her experience in the bustling kitchen would shape her future in an unexpected way. Now, at 18 years old, Samantha has become an entrepreneur by purchasing the very restaurant that kick-started her career.
According to USA Today, Samantha steadily climbed the ranks at Rosalie’s, transitioning from dishwasher to kitchen prep and eventually becoming a skilled line cook. Alongside her culinary pursuits, she took on additional jobs, including working with her father and at another nearby restaurant, showcasing her strong work ethic and determination.
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However, Samantha’s path took a surprising turn when she enrolled at Ohio State University with plans to study environmental engineering. During the fall semester, news circulated that Rosalie’s owners were interested in selling the establishment. This revelation sparked a flicker of inspiration within Samantha, prompting her to consider an alternative route.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Samantha shared with CBS affiliate WNEM-TV, “I was thinking that maybe this was something I wanted to do. I had savings because I was saving for college, so I had quite a bit of money saved away. And I was like, I could possibly do this.”
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Trusting her instincts, Samantha made the bold decision to leave her studies, using her college funds as the down payment for the restaurant and officially taking ownership in April.
Although Samantha never envisioned herself pursuing a career in restaurant ownership, it has now become her primary focus. In an interview with ABC affiliate WEWS-TV, she expressed, “Right now, this is so new; this is my priority. Five days of the week, I’m in here. If not in here, I’m back there doing prep. The other two days, I’m in the office doing meetings with the sales reps.”
The community has been quick to applaud Samantha’s ambition and determination. Colleague Leanna Gardner commended her as a role model, stating to WEWS-TV, “I just really think she’s a great example of a young lady that is following her dreams and doing what she loves.”
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Support for Samantha’s courageous leap into entrepreneurship extends to her parents as well. Brandi Beitzel, Samantha’s mother, initially had reservations about her daughter leaving Ohio State University and taking on such a significant responsibility at a young age.
However, she has since recognized Samantha’s unwavering passion and expressed her pride. Beitzel shared her thoughts with USA Today, saying, “I worked in the restaurant industry for 22 years, and I know there are going to be many obstacles and challenges ahead of her, but with her drive and ambition, the sky is the limit.”
As Samantha embarks on this new chapter, she understands that there will be hurdles to overcome. Yet, armed with her perseverance and determination, she remains poised to embrace the challenges that lie ahead. The future looks bright for this young entrepreneur, whose unwavering pursuit of her dreams serves as an inspiration to all.