At FS Foodservice Solutions, we believe great partnerships deserve the spotlight. Our Shining Star series highlights standout DSRs who go above and beyond to support operators, drive growth, and bring real value to every interaction, including by offering equipment financing as part of their toolkit. These stories showcase the energy, creativity, and hustle that make our partners shine, and we’re proud to celebrate them here!
Some people spend their entire careers looking for something that keeps them engaged. For Bolt Bolton, Design Build National and Regional Chain Sales at Edward Don & Company, that’s never really been the challenge.
She’s always been curious.
Whether it was learning a new skill, solving a problem, or finding a better way to do something, she’s built her career around the idea that there’s always more to discover. That mindset has taken her through nearly every side of the foodservice industry and is a big part of what continues to drive her today.
Her foodservice journey started early. At just 12 years old, she was working as a bus-back at a local Mexican restaurant, La Posta. With her stepmom managing the bar, she often found herself helping wherever she was needed, including in the kitchen. Those early experiences sparked a career that would ultimately span decades.
For 25 years, she worked on the operations side of the business, supporting restaurants and fast-casual concepts through customer service, training, development, and day-to-day operations. Looking back, she jokes that being on the operations side felt a little like Ariel in The Little Mermaid. “You know there’s a whole new world out there, but you don’t fully realize how much exists beyond what you see every day.”
For her, equipment was simply something that showed up when corporate ordered it. That changed when she connected with someone who owned an equipment dealership. A conversation led to an opportunity, and about 15 years ago she made the move to the dealer side of the industry.
It opened that new world. Suddenly, she was learning about equipment, cooking processes, reps, manufacturers, design, specifications, reading plans, and all the moving parts that help operators bring their visions to life. It was exactly the kind of challenge she enjoyed.
What keeps her here, though, is the people.
Foodservice is a massive industry, but it often feels surprisingly small. Over the years, she’s built relationships with clients, manufacturers, reps, and even competitors who later became colleagues and friends. She believes some of the best opportunities come from being willing to learn from others, share knowledge, and build genuine connections along the way.
Today, she is in a role that truly gives her the best of both worlds. While she spent many wonderful years leading and developing teams, she now deeply appreciates being able to focus her energy directly on her clients, partnering with them to help them succeed. Based in Oakland and working remotely, she loves having the flexibility to shape her days around her clients’ needs while still spending plenty of heart-of-the-action time in the field. Whether she’s visiting operators, teaming up to solve challenges, or hosting customers on exciting factory tours, staying genuinely connected to the people she serves is what brings her the most joy.
Outside of work, family is the heart of everything she does. She loves nothing more than soaking up the outdoors with her family and their two beloved dogs; whether they are hiking, camping, taking long walks, riding e-bikes, golfing, or catching great live music together. Through every beautiful stage of her career, one thing has always remained true: a heartfelt willingness to learn, adapt, and help others do the same. It’s a mindset that has beautifully shaped her journey, and one that continues to bring immense warmth and value to the customers and colleagues she works alongside every day.
KL: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in this industry that you wish you knew earlier?
BB: It’s simple: use your resources! There is an absolute wealth of knowledge in this industry, and most people are incredibly generous and willing to share it if you simply ask. There are always people ready to teach you, coach you, and offer a fresh perspective, if you are willing to step outside your comfort zone and reach out. The absolute worst someone can say is no. But what if they say yes?
KL: What’s a question operators should be asking more often, but usually don’t?
BB: “Is there a better way to do this?” So many operators continue doing things the way they’ve always been done, simply because that’s how they originally learned. It reminds me of the classic story about the daughter who always cut the ends off a ham before cooking it because her mother did, only to eventually learn her grandmother only did it because her pan was too small!
Sometimes we inherit processes without ever questioning them. For me, looking at operations through a completely fresh lens is where the magic happens. It’s the best way to uncover unexpected opportunities to save labor, improve consistency, and find a smoother, more efficient way forward.
KL: What’s changed the most about the industry since you started?
BB: The number of women in the industry. When I first started attending conferences, there were very few women in the room. Today, that’s changed dramatically. As people have retired and a new generation has entered the industry, we’ve seen more women step into leadership, sales, and operational roles. It’s been exciting to watch and fun to be a part of.
KL: How do you help operators think beyond the immediate purchase and plan for the long term?
BB: It starts with understanding their goals. For a startup or first-time operator, the focus is often on getting the doors open. They’re not always thinking about where they want to be five or ten years from now. Having those conversations helps uncover opportunities and allows us to talk through options that support their long-term plans. Here in California, energy-efficient equipment and utility rebates can also be a big part of that discussion because they help operators invest in quality equipment while reducing up-front costs.
KL: What’s a sign that a customer would benefit from financing even if they don’t ask about it?
BB: If someone mentions waiting on an SBA loan, that’s a great clue! I like to give customers options before they even realize they might need them. Financing can help keep projects moving and provide flexibility when timing is critical. One thing I appreciate about working with FS Foodservice Solutions is how responsive they are. They help me get answers quickly, which helps my clients accelerate progress. I include financing information with my quotes because I want customers to know there are solutions available before they have to ask for them.
KL: What’s the most rewarding deal or moment you’ve had in your career?
BB: I am incredibly honored to share that I recently received a Vendor Excellence Award.
This recognition is deeply meaningful to me, marking the third time I’ve received this honor from the chain accounts I’ve partnered with over the years. Reflecting on this milestone also brings back fond memories of being named DSR of the Year in 2020.
While awards are a wonderful “icing on the cake,” what they truly represent is the dedication, consistency, and hard work that happens behind the scenes every single day.
An honor like this is never a solo achievement. I am profoundly grateful to my incredible, supportive team: our sales specialists, project managers, project coordinators, estimators, and my peers. It is incredibly rewarding to know that our collective effort is seen and appreciated by our clients. Thank you all for making milestones like this possible!
As a thank you for being part of our Shining Star Series, we send each featured rep a gift card to a local restaurant of their choice. It’s our way of showing appreciation and supporting the local spots they love.
Bolt plans to use her gift card at Scotts Seafood, a restaurant particularly close to her heart as it’s where she met her husband. They, along with 5 other couples, met while working there and are still married now! Their macadamia nut crusted halibut is amazing, they also have wonderful crab bisque, clam chowder, and seafood salad.