When commencement got here, nonetheless, the job market was bleak. In keeping with the Financial Coverage Institute, the general unemployment price for younger employees ages 16 to 24 jumped from 8.4 % in 2019 to 24.4 % in 2020, and this group confronted a disproportionate lack of jobs on account of COVID-19.
“I spent a yr pondering significantly about what I used to be going to do after I graduated,” Lambert says.
All the time understanding she wished 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 faculty as a waitress, bartender and meals prepper, her ideas turned to a restaurant.
“I’ve at all times cherished being inventive with recipes, whether or not it was cooking or mixing drinks,” Lambert says.
When she noticed an obtainable 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 received “Younger Entrepreneur of the 12 months” from the Delaware Chamber of Commerce in April 2021. Her authentic location additionally received a number of awards from Foremost Line At this time, together with Reader’s Alternative: Meals and Drink, Better of the Mainline and Western Suburbs, and Critic’s Alternative: Greatest Well being Meals Restaurant.
