Oxford's Women on the Move: Young, Vibrant and Ambitious

Photo by Andrew Long.

HottyToddy.com’s Steve Vassallo sat down with Lindy Stevenson to discuss her success as a student and in the hospitality industry.

…
Stevenson is definitely a woman on the move. The Ole Miss junior has already made a name for herself in Oxford’s hospitality industry, excelling in the world of restaurants in all phases of operations.
Vassallo: Lindy, you found your niche quite early. How so?
Stevenson: I came from one of seven children. I was hesitant to ask my parents for anything. My first job came at 15 at a prom dress store. I realized then that I had an asset in communications.
Vassallo: Being from Herrin, Illinois, how did you connect with Ole Miss?
Stevenson: I had a few friends who were going here and it was less than 5 hours away. I really loved Oxford because of its fun southern atmosphere. The beauty of it all inspires me.
Vassallo: Please tell our readers where you are employed currently.
Stevenson: Papito’s Mexican Grill where I manage the bar and social media marketing. I assist in administrative duties and have introduced our Karaoke Night on Thursdays, which has become very popular. Crowd cultivation is one of my favorite aspects of the hospitality industry.
Vassallo: For those students who have difficulty balancing a job with academics, what advice can you give to them?
Stevenson: Find a job that you are good at and will help your career grow. Stay strict to a time schedule and buy a planner. And stay in close communication with your professors as if they were your boss.
Vassallo: What have you learned at Ole Miss that is benefiting you
currently at Papito’s?
Stevenson: Marketing, agency law, nutrition courses have taught me a lot about the hospitality industry. Having the opportunity to gain certifications in my field have been paramount. Making connections and forming friends in the hospitality field has also been a major benefit.
Vassallo: The “word on the street” is that you are attracting many Ole Miss students in dining at Papito’s?
Stevenson: Being a student myself, I know what my classmates are looking for. In addition to Karaoke, we’ve hosted fundraisers and parties. And for our friends spending their evening on The Square, we have begun to station the Papitos’ Taco Truck at the Rebel Bookstore. You can find us promoting Papitos on campus with fliers and banners, as well as personally inviting folks to dine with us.
Vassallo: With graduation looming (May 2019), what does your future look like presently beyond Ole Miss?
Stevenson: I have big plans! From event planning to operations, I’m interested in many phases of the hospitality industry. The opportunity to travel is also very appealing.
Vassallo: Your expertise in the area of social media is already influencing your life and career in a meaningful way. Tell us how this has impacted your personal situation.
Stevenson: I find social media fun. I’m influencing strangers who are not familiar with Papito’s to spend some time with us and enjoy a great meal or a cold beverage. Utilizing social media in the promotion of our brand has increased our sales significantly. People will come as a direct result of our posts, which is very gratifying.
Vassallo: Why do you believe you matured at such a young age?
Stevenson: My parents definitely influenced this and saw a strength in me. They were the ones who encouraged me to go away from home to college. I was scared to disappoint them. Being able to accept responsibility came to me naturally. Also, being a positive role model to my four younger siblings is a major motivator.
Vassallo: Looking beyond the hospitality industry and world
of academics, what outside interests do you enjoy?
Stevenson: Socializing. I love to meet new people. I would talk to a wall if it could talk back. During “Me-time”, I enjoy nature walks and singing, which helps boost my confidence.
Vassallo: Fill in the blanks as to what first comes to mind: A. Thursday night…B. Most delicious…
C. Traveling to…
Stevenson: A. Karaoke. B. Meal. C. Home.
Vassallo: You possess a great deal of self confidence for being just a junior at the University. How did this evolve?
Stevenson: Growing up, I was involved in cheer and I’ve competed in a number of pageants which helped me gain confidence. You cannot get anywhere without it. I have also had great influencers who pointed out my strengths to me before I even realized what these were.
Vassallo:A penny for your thoughts…offer a piece of advice for the 2018 incoming freshmen to Ole Miss.
Stevenson: Know yourself and know your worth. Don’t ever forget who you are and what you’re capable of doing. Don’t ever let anyone or anything stop you. Sometimes you have to fail in order to succeed. Never stop learning in any and every situation.

Steve Vassallo is a HottyToddy.com contributor. Steve writes on Ole Miss athletics, Oxford business, politics and other subjects. He is an Ole Miss grad and former radio announcer for the basketball team. Currently, Steve is a highly successful leader in the real estate business who lives in Oxford with his wife Rosie. You can contact Steve at sovassallo@gmail.com or call him at 985-852-7745.