Jocelyn Bolumen Blog Post 1
I have grown up living in a house that talks a lot about Chick-fil-A with my mom being an operator of one. Getting to grow up hearing a lot about the company as a whole, and then also getting to work there from early on has taught me so much about a company that’s popularity has grown leaps and bounds in the past 2 ish decades. It is so interesting to see a company face so much backlash at times, but also experience such a strong support system as well, and all of this stems from the fact that it is a publicly Christian company. I can testify that the company has held true its claimed morals, as it treats its operators so well, and in return sets the expectation that the operators treat their team members exceptionally as well. In every event that my parents put on for the team (summer picnic, Christmas party, etc), it is a known fact that my parents are going to pray before the meal. We have a variety of team members with a wide range of beliefs. We have people who go to our church working there, and we have people who are in same sex relationships. Everyone working there understands the overall concept of Chick-fil-A, that it is a company that promotes serving others, and going the second mile for others. Although it is not required for employees to follow God, it is required to have a servants heart and love for others. My mom loves getting to run a Chick-fil-A because she sees it as a great opportunity to witness to people, even just through her daily actions and attitude toward others. People know that she follows Jesus, and there have been many times people have asked her about it and she has gotten to share. Getting to work for a company that backs this up is a very cool thing. I personally have been working on the idea of doing a Sunday bible study for team members to attend over the summer when I’m home for break. Not many businesses would allow this, nor be closed on Sunday to provide the space/time to hold it. Ultimately, Chick-fil-A does a great job of serving as a role model type of business, where people who are curious can observe the joy that exudes from people working there and the company itself, which can lead to some life changing questions. It doesn’t force anything on anyone, it is open to all and no one is required to get any messages preached to them, but I think it is a company that treats it’s team very well, and represents the Faith well for the public to see.
Hey Jocelyn! What a blessing that your mom gets to work with a company that allows her and your family to live out your beliefs and values so well. Chick-fil-A has certainly been an unconventional model of redemptive entrepreneurship in such a competitive and secular environment.
Hi Jocelyn, the redemptive entrepreneurship found in CFA certainly is admirable, but it’s even cooler that you’ve worked for them and that your mom runs one! Your personal and family experience with the company certainly provides a greater authority than I was expecting since CFA seems like an obvious company for any or all of us to pick to talk about (especially having one on-campus). Your unique perspective and demonstration of how CFA both allows non-Christians to partake while differentiating themselves from typical businesses in Christ-centered ways is impactful. Great post!
Hi Jocelyn! Even in France I have heard about how Chick-Fil-A is a Christian chain restaurant that will not compromise their beliefs. I admire their redemptive mindset and their willingness to stick to their values even though they may be able to make more money by being open on Sundays or by spreading across the world. It is so cool that you have personal experience with this organization!