991: Ellen Yin Founder and Co-Owner of High Street Hospitality Group

Ellen Yin is the co-owner of High Street Hospitality Group in Philadelphia, PA. Ellen began working in kitchens at an early age and worked her way up to line cook. She then transitioned her focus onto FOH. Before she even entered college, she knew she wanted to open a restaurant. She studied business at Penn. State in order to better prepare herself for the restaurant industry. She intentionally left the industry in her early 20s to work in advertising and sales so she could save money and further her education in business through those jobs. In 1997 she opened Fork and soon after, she opened Fork, Etc. which did prepared meals and bakery options in 2004. Today, High Street Hospitality owns 5 concepts.

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Show notes…

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Favorite success quote/mantra:

• "Keep pushin'"

In this episode with Ellen Yin we will discuss:

• The benefits of diversity in a restaurant
• Business school
• Raising capital
• The importance of a network when launching a restaurant
• Partnerships
• Rebranding your own business
• Tipping

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which “it factor” habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Stubbornness
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Could be a better listener
3. What's one thing you ask or look for when interviewing/growing your team?
   • Everybody being on the same page
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • New business model
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Support for team members
6. What is one book you think will make us a better person or restaurant owner?
   • The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
   • Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
   • GET THIS BOOK ON AUDIBLE
7. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
   • Microsoft Teams
8. What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
   • Take a rest
9. 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?
   • Personal accountability
   • Giving back
   • The importance of family and friends

Contact:

Email: [e-mail]

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Ellen Yin for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

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