Tara runs the front of the shop. As one who has lived in the Cape Coral communtiy for most of her life, her organizational skills, enthusiastic personality and local business connections keeps everyone going. Tara's last position with the City of Cape Coral was Supervisor of Special Events for Parks + Recreation. If anyone knows how to get the ball rolling, and to manage people, it is Tara. (On February 28, 1997, Tara delivered our daughter, Lauren Jo. She worked 8 - 12 hours/day going full speed, up to her delivery day). She is dedicated.
Mark runs the back of the shop. He's the Bagel Man and the taskmaster. Once he learned how to bake and make dough, he set his sights on building a smooth-running operation. Mark draws on his Air Force career (Air Force Academy, Class of '79 LCWB) and his years in the insurance brokerage arena as a manager throughout South Florida and Arkansas. Those who know Mark can understand why he drives the business as hard as he does, because he drives himself harder. When his daughter, Christine comes to visit, she can be found working alongside her family in the shop.
One may ask, "Why the short dissertation on these people?" Simple: The Bagel Factory runs and operates based upon their personality and their example. The shop is an extension of these two people. Otherwise, this business would be just another bagel shop running along on some mediocre course. Instead, with the owners so involved, together with the fantastic associates that we have working as a TEAM, The Bagel Factory is the place where you want to be.
[Picture of the Lukasik's]