“I came to this country 11 years ago. I was a lawyer back in Cuba and a law professor in Mexico. But when I came to the U.S., I was not able to practice because I did not know the language. I was also working to help my family, so I did not have time to go back to school.”
Then, Milaydys came to Taco Bell where she started off as an Assistant General Manager. From running seven locations in Miami as an Area Coach, she was quickly promoted to Market Coach running 45 locations. Although Milaydys saw her promotions as an opportunity to grow, she was hesitant because of the language barrier. This quickly changed when she got a visit from former Chief Operating Officer and President of Taco Bell Corp., Mike Grams.
“At the time, I was running locations where 90% of the teams spoke Spanish. When Mike visited one of my locations, he asked me about taking on more responsibilities and growing with the company. I really wanted to, but was hesitant since language was an issue...then, I will never forget what came next. He looked me in the eye and told me that Taco Bell will take care of that and help me learn English. Soon after, I got a phone call from my coach Cynthia R., letting me know that the classes were set up. This is the moment where I realized that I wanted to retire here. Taco Bell didn’t just give me a promotion, they gave me the resources to continue growing as a person without limits.”
And so, Milaydys has continued to grow with The Bell since! One of her favorite things about working here is being able to bring people together in meaningful ways, no matter the background.
“It’s important to keep in mind that it does not matter what culture you are from, what your faith is or what your history is. Everyone has a place here at Taco Bell. This is something that I always like to tell potential candidates because it truly represents what it means to work here.”
It’s no doubt that Milaydys is an inspiration for the people she works with and aspiring leaders. For those looking to cultivate their own path, Milaydys suggests the following:
“Always remember to respect your team, lead with heart, be authentic and honest. Don’t be afraid to ask for more help because when you do, you’ll find new ways to continue growing!"
If you want to learn more about Taco Bell’s opportunities, head to jobs.tacobell.com.