623: Zeb Stewart on The Importance of Chaos

Zeb Stewart has a history of success in Brooklyn, New York. As designer and owner/ operator of cherished Williamsburg hotspots Union Pool, Hotel Delmano, and Café Colette, Zeb has played a significant role in the growth and development of the neighborhood’s social scene over the years. In 2016 Zeb joined forces with Jud Mongell and Warren Baired to form Brightside Hospitality. With their over 60 years of combined experience, the trio offers a full range of consulting services.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Authenticity is everything."

In this episode with Zeb Stewart we will discuss:

• Don't chase the "cool"
• Building for yourself
• Zeb's eye for design
• How a space dictates the flow of space in a restaurant
• Forcing organic interactions on your space
• Partnerships
• First restaurants as learning experiences
• Know your lane and stay in it
• Managing good mental health
• Getting yourself out of the day-to-day work in the restaurant
• Your relationship with your customers as an open conversation
• Sharing and balancing multiple restaurants
• Learning from others every chance you get
• Building a healthy community for your team
• Starting a restaurant group
• Consulting

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Emotionally involved
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Too emotionally involved
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • Trying to connect with the candidate
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • How to move forward without abandoning in your past projects
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Give everyone a chance, break up with a customer if necessary
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Fight for the clientele, let people know you want them back
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   •  A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Travel
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • Social media
10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    • Do what you love or don't do it
    • Love who you're with
    • Be kind to strangers

Contact info:

Brightside Hospitality website

Instagram: @zeberino

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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Huge thanks to Zeb Stewart for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

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