Women in Business 2011: Tamilla House

From coordinating family nights and school spirit nights at Chick-fil-A to overseeing the offsite catering orders, it's working with people that Tamilla House enjoys most about her job.

Tamilla and her husband, Brian, opened the Chick-fil-A location in September. Tamilla serves as marketing director of the quick-service restaurant.

"We try to exceed every guest's expectations every visit, and we strive to be a place where families can make memories," says Tamilla.

Exceeding guests' expectations could include being escorted into the restaurant under an umbrella on a rainy day to having drinks refilled while seated at the table to being offered assistance while ordering and dining with young children. Tamilla has offered assistance in all of these areas.

"Chick-fil-A calls it 'second mile service' and it's something that the company wants every Chick-fil-A to achieve," she says.

Tamilla also offers that "second mile service" when delivering catering orders to businesses and offices. She checks the orders to make sure they are correct and complete and offers to bring in and arrange the orders in an attractive and appetizing way. "Presentation is important," she says.

The biggest advantage Tamilla sees in her job is being able to work side by side with her husband, Brian. "Brian's owning and operating his own Chick-fil-A is a passion that has prayerfully developed for us. I am blessed to be a part of that and to be able to work with him doing something that we both love," she says.

Two of the House's three children -- Cody, 16, and Calli, 12 -- also work in the restaurant. It is also their hope that Carley, their 14-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, can one day work in the restaurant with them as well. "It is such a blessing to be able to spend time with my husband and family while I am at work," says Tamilla.

When she is not working at the restaurant, Tamilla's activities usually revolve around her husband and children. She is a member of La Croix United Methodist Church and a new parent volunteer for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, where she serves as a mentor for new parents of children with special needs. Tamilla also volunteers at her children's schools.

"I am thankful to be connected with a Bible-centered, family focused company like Chick-fil-A that puts people first and keeps its priorities in order," says Tamilla. "I believe it is important that we recognize and use the talents God has given us and make the most of every day with our families and in our work."