MEET MORE OF OUR 2024 WOMEN OF DISTINCTION
At the helm of some of your favorite local restaurants – including BelAir Cantina, Fuel Café 5th Street, HiHat Lounge, Finks, and the recently opened Margaux Brasserie – is Kristyn O’Laughlin Eitel.
O’Laughlin Eitel’s 30-year career in hospitality began when she was just 12 years old, working as a dishwasher. From there, she became a server, then a manager at several restaurants, before eventually joining the ownership team that launched the first BelAir Cantina in 2010.
BelAir has since expanded to six locations and spawned the restaurant group Toro Toro Toro and MojoFuco, which owns several other franchises. O’Laughlin Eitel was named president and CEO of the group in 2022.
“I understand the stresses employees experience every day at all levels of the business,” she says. “That experience has been valuable to me to understand the challenges faced by our staff. It gives me a great sense of empathy while understanding what it takes to be a successful employee.”
“My businesses give me the chance to give back to the community.”
Having forged her successful career, O’Laughlin Eitel is now paving the way for other women interested in making a big impact in the Milwaukee dining scene. Over 60% of her staff of 555 employees are women, with a nearly 40% woman-led corporate team and an over 50% women-led management team. O’Laughlin Eitel is committed to expanding pathways for them to grow professionally.
“I tell women in the industry to work hard, develop a confident approach, set goals and surround yourself with individuals with whom you trust and understand your vision,” says O’Laughlin Eitel. “You need a trusted person to share ideas and give honest and critical feedback.”
Q&A
What are some of the ways you give back to the community?
My businesses give me the chance to give back to the community through offering meaningful employment opportunities in the 12 restaurant locations throughout the state, offering promotional pathways to employees thus improving their financial stability, and sharing in our profits with local non-profits through our Powered by Tacos program which has given back over $161,000.
Some of the nonprofit recipients include: Make a Wish, Camp Minikani, Journey House, Ronald McDonald House, Tosa Skate Park, Urban Ecology Center and Playworks. We also offer other give back opportunities to non-profit organizations and schools in our communities. Occasionally I return to my Alma Mater, UW Milwaukee and offer my knowledge and expertise in building my business to the Lubar School of Business Entrepreneur class.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
Work really allows my creativity to shine. I work with some of the most talented people in the industry. Plus, being a woman in a male-dominated industry and gaining the respect for my accomplishments has been incredibly rewarding.
What is your favorite thing about being a part of Milwaukee’s dynamic food scene?
I love how the dynamic food scene constantly evolves, bringing together different cultures, flavors, and ideas. It’s exciting to see how chefs experiment with ingredients and techniques, creating innovative dishes that tell a story. Plus, the communal aspect of food – sharing meals and experiences – always sparks great conversations and connections among people.
