The year was 2002. Armed with my college degree, zero direction, no LinkedIn, no one providing potential paths, and no desire to move back home, I did what every parent dreads: moved in with a boyfriend. I wanted my own money, so I got a job bartending and waitressing. During those six months of hard physical work, I realized a few things: The service industry consists of amazing people who work hard, function over form is best for shoes when you work on your feet, and I had a knack for chatting people up and selling.