DBT40 Honoree: Megan O’Donnell of Jimmy’s Seaside Fries

Photo by Maria DeForrest

AGE: 32
TITLE: Owner
COMPANY: Jimmy’s Seaside Fries
CITY: Dover

What the Nominator said: “In less than a year, Megan O’Donnell turned a devastating career blow – when her corporate banking department was relocated – into the opportunity to pursue her original dream of owning her own business in the hospitality industry. Since taking over at Jimmy’s, she has doubled sales and fostered important relationships with Delaware State University, Wesley College, and the Dover Air Force Base. She has gained the respect of franchise management and is building a reputation in Kent County.”

Your biggest break: Ironically, it was getting laid off from my corporate management job because it forced me to take the leap into business ownership and it’s the best risk I’ve ever taken!

Best career advice you ever got: To work the way you live; by being true to yourself and working authentically, you’ll gain so much more respect.

Two words that best describe you: Unique and fun-loving.

If you were in charge of Delaware: I am a huge believer in giving back and I think that we need to find a way to make it easier for local small businesses to give back to the community because that helps us all in the end. Beyond just monetary donations, more partnerships between for-profit and non-profits would be a great start.

In one sentence, define “success.” Success isn’t always about how well you do, it’s about taking every opportunity you’re given, no matter how big or small, and making the most of it, because that will get you where you want to be.