When commencement got here, nonetheless, the job market was bleak. In response to the Financial Coverage Institute, the general unemployment fee for younger staff ages 16 to 24 jumped from 8.4 p.c in 2019 to 24.4 p.c in 2020, and this group confronted a disproportionate lack of jobs because of COVID-19.
“I spent a 12 months pondering significantly about what I used to be going to do once I graduated,” Lambert says.
At all times understanding she needed to personal her personal enterprise – she entertained opening a health club, therefore the kinesiology diploma – faculty and circumstances gave Lambert a slight change of coronary heart. Since she labored within the meals trade throughout highschool and school as a waitress, bartender and meals prepper, her ideas turned to a restaurant.
“I’ve all the time cherished being inventive with recipes, whether or not it was cooking or mixing drinks,” Lambert says.
When she noticed an out there storefront close to a health club and dance studio, the concept for Mangos & Extra started to take form.
“I wasn’t positive if I used to be going to have the ability to pull off opening a brand new enterprise throughout a pandemic, however I did,” Lambert says.
Not solely was Lambert in a position to pull it off, however she’s been in a position to thrive. Lambert gained “Younger Entrepreneur of the Yr” from the Delaware Chamber of Commerce in April 2021. Her unique location additionally gained a number of awards from Important Line In the present day, together with Reader’s Alternative: Meals and Drink, Better of the Mainline and Western Suburbs, and Critic’s Alternative: Finest Well being Meals Restaurant.
