We were lucky to catch up with Nina Scalera recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

Being misunderstood or mischaracterized is an unfortunate part of life, especially when you choose a career or passion that isn’t the most traditional. There are a ton of misconceptions when working in the food and beverage industry and they are dificult stereotypes to break. People often think it’s just a passive job, that has no room for growth and something you do to make money before finding something steady. Growing up in the industry, I’ve heard it all. From comments like “are you really going to be a bartender for the rest of your life” to “why wouldn’t you want to get a real job?” These comments would really bother me when I was younger and I knew it was something I had to overcome if I wanted to be successful. It was clear people would only say things like this out of ignorance and I found myself entertaining the conversation in hopes to change their perspective. That is one of the main reasons why I started my podcast, She Werks Hard For The Money. I wanted to be the voice for our industry and explain to people how building a career in hospitality is not only personally rewarding but a lucrative way to build a strong work ethic. There are skills I have learned in a restaurant that couldn’t be taught in a college classroom or corporate training. I love to share my career journey with people and help open their minds to the endless opportunities that come from “just” being a bartender.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

If you ask any bartender how they got their start in the service industry, it probably wouldn’t be too far off from the story I’m about to share. On my 13th birthday my mother drove me to our local pizza shop, sat me down with the owner (who just so happened to be a friend of hers) and next thing ya know I was serving large pies to the neighborhood townies and their kids. I was raised right outside of Atlantic City by two hard working parents who made careers for themselves in the casino. My mother a cocktail waitress and my father a pit boss. Hustle and hospitality was in my blood and as I navigated working in bars and restaurants throughout my late teens and early twenties, it became clear this business was for me and I sure had an act for it. No literally, I found myself acting as an elevated version of myself using my personality to highlight the comedic side of working in the service industry. My passion for service and entertainment is what makes me successful both behind the bar and on social media. When I started my podcast, She Werks Hard For The Money it was peak covid and people were itching to dine out and enjoy the luxury of being waited on. My show was a way to bring people together and enjoy the genuine connection you feel from being taken care of by a bartender or server. I love making people laugh and truly believe some of the best conversations are had by making others feel comfortable and accepted. I host each episode with laid back energy and welcoming vibes, that way it feels like you’re pulling up a bar stool at your favorite bar in town every time you tune in. Through my podcast and content creation I’ve been able to share the ins and outs of navigating a career in hospitality. I chat about tipping etiquette, mixology, spirit education, steps of service and other related content. My willingness to talk about the good, bad and the ugly from the perspective of a female bartender is what makes me so relatable and keeps the conversations fresh and exciting. Being a career bartender in New York City is something I’m extremely proud of. I have so much respect for this industry and feel lucky to be a strong voice for the community.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I often joke and call myself the worst millennial ever because of how much I struggle to understand social media and its ever changing algorithm. Building my following has probably been the most rewarding part of my journey and although it may seem small to others, I’ve found success in quality over quantity. My followers and I have a genuine connection because most of them were made through personal outreach or invitation. Starting from scratch on social media is challenging and you can’t always rely on a viral video to build your following because most likely they will eventually fall off. Utilizing your current network and sending out personal direct messages to invite others to follow your new journey is a better alternative to keep an active following. This way the line of communication feels real and when you begin to create content they will feel like you’re talking to them personally. Make a goal to message 15-25 social media users a month who you’d believe would enjoy and engage with your content. Some may not even open the message but others will feel that warm invite right away and potentially become loyal followers!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I have been on a creative journey for as long as I could remember. Growing up I spent most of my time at theatre practice, in the dance studio or putting on elaborate shows for pretty much anyone who would watch. I was lucky enough to have parents who encouraged my self expression and worked extra shifts to keep up with my artistic hobbies. As I got older, I lost my artistic way because of society pressures and wanting to start a steady career. I took a job I had no interest in just because I thought I’d be doing the right thing for my future. Luckily, my parents were always there encouraging me to take risks and do what made me happy. Their support and guidance gave me the courage to tap back into my creative side and help me get back to my true self. Being able to create content around an industry that has given my family and I so much opportunity has been the driving force in my journey. I have always admired my parents work ethic and it’s important to me to share their values through my podcast and pay tribute to them in that way. Sharing a similar career path with my parents has made our relationship so much stronger and I hope to make them proud through my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shewerkshardfrthemoney.buzzsprout.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shewerkshardforthemoney/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-marie-scalera-7781a8148/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/neenscale