Ever since I was young, I dreamed of opening my own restaurant. To me, hospitality means putting the needs of others before your own. It means creating a hospitable atmosphere where guests can feel at home. Hospitality extends beyond the simple act of serving guests. It means serving them in a genuine way in order to create lasting experiences and memories. At 5 years old, in my kindergarten classroom, and Sunday school, while other children were playing with blocks, or dolls, or coloring pages, I always played with the toy kitchen play set. At 6 years old, I was given my very own toy kitchen. As a little girl, it was the best gift I had ever received. Throughout the rest of my childhood, I observed my mother serve guests out of genuine kindness. I grew up in an Ethiopian household and hospitality is one of the biggest parts of Ethiopian culture. My mother had many other responsibilities, but when people were in our home, they became her only priority. It seemed like the only thing that mattered in those moments was their comfort. She went out of her way to make them feel welcome, whether they were just staying for dinner, or they were staying in our guest room for the week. This planted the seed of my passion for hospitality and serving others. In 8th grade, I went to an open house at Southwest Career and Technical Academy, the high school that I graduated from in 2024. There, I saw their culinary and hospitality department and I was fascinated. Walking the long halls, my heart raced as I saw the inside of a commercial kitchen for the first time. I thought back to my toy kitchen set from my childhood. This looks so grand compared to something so small, I thought. I decided to attend school there in the Culinary and Hospitality program. While learning about the hospitality industry and the impact it has on people, I was inspired to pursue a career in the industry. I realized that my dream could come true. I am now a freshman at UNLV pursuing a degree in Hospitality with a concentration in Innovative Restaurant Management. My passion, my family, and my faith all led me to where I am today. I never could have imagined being where I am now, but by the grace of God, and through the support of my family, I am following my dream and building a future in the industry that inspires me. I want to open my own restaurant because I want to be able to create a place where people can be taken care of; an environment for guests to feel comfortable and welcome. I believe that a restaurant is more than just a place to dine, it can be a sanctuary where people can feel at home. I hope to create a restaurant that gives back to the community. A restaurant that not only serves food, but uses the power of hospitality to make a meaningful impact. From sourcing ingredients from local farmers and hiring from within the neighborhood, to donating a portion of profits to local charities, or hosting food drives and giving free meals to those in need, I hope to create a restaurant that becomes a hub of connection and care. A restaurant that fosters a sense of belonging, supports the local community, and turns every meal into an opportunity to uplift others. My journey is a commitment to creating a lasting impact on people by creating a nurturing environment where dining and hospitality can bring unity.