Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore

After a 20 year run as Executive Chef and Director of Operations at Z'Tejas restaurant chain, Jack Gilmore and Tom Kamm , decided to strike out on their own, opening Jack Allen’s Kitchen in late 2009. 10 years later they've scaled the Jack Allen's concept into 4 locations. Additionally, they've created Salt Traders Coastal Cooking in 2016, which is about to open its second location later this year. Today, Gilmore and Kamm are among the most respected names in Austin's culinary scene, not only for what they've accomplished with their restaurants, but also for the work they've done in their community.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

 "Have fun. Do what you do."

"Surround yourself with great people. It makes life a lot easier." 

In this episode with Jack Gilmore and Tom Kamm, we discuss: 

  • How Jack and Tom got their start in the restaurant industry. 
  • The simple power looking someone in the eye and smiling has. 
  • What passion is; giving a shit. 
  • Going into new situations with the intention to learn. 
  • Leveraging a servers logs. 
  • Being willing to learn from you mistakes. 
  • Being mindful of how you address your employees. Ask yourself, "Would I let someone talk to one of my loved ones like this?"
  • How Jack Groomed his son for a successful career. 
  • How you cannot be successful in this industry, unless you have support from your family.  
  • Why who you know is more powerful than a solid business plan. 
  • The importance of having key players on your team early on and how Jack and Tom got their key players. 
  • Why integrity is so important. Do what you say. Say what you do. 
  • Checking your ego at the door. 
  • Trusting the people you've surrounded yourself with to make the right decision. 
  • Growing your people before growing your physical locations.  
  • Jack and Tom's strategy for growth, specifically when determining locations. 
  • The role systems have with scaling. 
  • How to motivate your team without being aggressive. 
  • How good training influences motivation. 

Today's sponsor:

Wisetail.com, A Premier Learning Management System, Wisetail Grew Up Alongside Some of the Most Recognizable Restaurants In the Industry. This Has Helped Shape Their Product and its Functionality Through Real-World Feedback and Rigorous Testing.

BentoBox helps restaurants grow their business through a connected suite of tools, offering them an integrated website to connect with their guests and drive revenue online. Restaurant owners and operators are able to easily update menus, promote specials, take catering and event inquiries, sell merchandise, gift cards and more.

Revel Systems integrates front of house and back of house operations into a single dashboard. Designed to increase security, stability, ease of use, and speed of service, Revel’s streamlined ecosystem provides businesses with the right tools to grow. Learn more at revelsystems.com/unstoppable.

 

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Passion.
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Jack: Organization.
    • Tom: Saying no. 
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview
    • Likability 
  4. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Be a team player. 
  5. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • If something, anything goes wrong, no one gets in trouble, but you HAVE to tell a manager so the restaurant can make it right. 
  6. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
    • They don't listen to their guest.
    • They don't eat in their own restaurants. 
    • Make it easy to take guest money. 
  7. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
    • a restaurant management system that is hooked into your reservation system. They use Restaurant Connect
  8. 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?
    1. Surround yourself with great people.
    2. Be humble.
    3. Stick with what sticks. 
    4. Leave the community better than when you entered it.  

Contact info:

www.jackallenskitchen.com

@jackallenskitchen

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Jack Gilmore & Tom Kamm for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!
Direct download: 593_jack_and_Tom__mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

 

Eric Silverstein spent the first 10 years of his life in Japan, before moving to Atlanta Georgia. He would go on to study marketing, finance, and law at Washington University. In 2010, Silverstein left his life of litigation for a life of roaming the streets of Austin in his food truck, The Peached Tortilla, where he served Asian and Southern-inspired tacos and sliders. Over the years, he has continued to grow the business, turning into a multi-truck operation, boutique full-service catering company, two brick and mortar restaurants, and a social house.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."

-Wayne Gretzky

In this episode with Eric Silverstein, we discuss:

  • Why Silverstein left his life of as a lawyer to open a food truck.
  • What Silverstein learned watching his fathers experience with being a restaurateur; don't grow too fast and take your time to build a time.
  • How his experience studying law taught him discipline.
  • How to develop discipline.
  • Why he chose the route of opening a food truck.
  • How he believes the food truck model is broke.
  • Asking for those your respect and admire for help.
  • How growth comes from creating opportunity for people.
  • How owners can get in trouble trying to wear too many hats.
  • As a lawyer, Silverstein's advice to pay close attention to the termination section in contracts; make sure you have terms to exit the agreement.
  • Knowing your target market and giving the people what they want.
  •  

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox helps restaurants grow their business through a connected suite of tools, offering them an integrated website to connect with their guests and drive revenue online. Restaurant owners and operators are able to easily update menus, promote specials, take catering and event inquiries, sell merchandise, gift cards and more.

Revel Systems integrates front of house and back of house operations into a single dashboard. Designed to increase security, stability, ease of use, and speed of service, Revel’s streamlined ecosystem provides businesses with the right tools to grow. Learn more at revelsystems.com/unstoppable.

 

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Hard Work.
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Incredibly emotional about his business.
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Hire people who are a good fit for your culture. Silverstein ask's, "Would I invite this person over to my home for dinner?"
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Minimize day to day task so he focus more no workin on this business.
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Be ready. Be fucking prepared.
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Silverstein has his team adopt the mentality that the restaurant is their home and that the people they are serving our their actual guests.
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
    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?
    • Take an honest assessment on their brand.
  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
  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?
    1. It's a marathon; not a sprint.
    2. Hard work and determination is half the battle.
    3. There is no success without sacrifice.

Contact info:

www.thepeachedtorilla.com

www.barpeached.com

www.peachedsocialhouse.com

@projectpeached

@peachtortilla

 

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Eric Silverstein for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!
Direct download: 592_Eric_Silverstein_2_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:47pm EST

Hailing from Wisconsin, Mark David Buley is graduate of The University of Wisconsin-Stout and the Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park. After his formal education Buley went to work at the Montagna Restaurant at the Little Nell Hotel in Aspen, where he met future business partners  Bryce Gilmore and Sam Hellman-Mass. In 2012, Buley joined past colleagues to Open The Odd Duck. In 2018, Buley and partners opened their most recent project Sour Duck Market, the teams first crack at fast-casual.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Your future depends on many things, but mostly you." 

In this episode with Mark Buley, we discuss: 

  • Understanding that life doesn't get easy, and that if you want to be successful you need to accept that, and then start crushing obstacles in your way. 
  • Why successful people in hospitality often did very poorly in school. 
  • The benefits from culinary school. 
  • Why you need to take risks before you're ready; you'll never be ready.   
  • Coming together with a common goal and vision. 
  • Keeping calm, cool, and setting the example for your team. 
  • Showing your team how much you care for them with your actions.   
  • Surrounding yourself with people who make up for your shortcomings. 
  • How the team for the Odd Duck came together.  
  • Working things like non-compete clauses into your partnership agreement. 
  • How to keep your team driven and motivated.  
  • How to approach someone in a non threatening way if you believe that are under motivated or underperforming. 
  • How to transition from focusing on one location to two locations. 
  • How important it is to have someone on your team on the pulse of your finances.

Today's sponsor:

BentoBox helps restaurants grow their business through a connected suite of tools, offering them an integrated website to connect with their guests and drive revenue online. Restaurant owners and operators are able to easily update menus, promote specials, take catering and event inquiries, sell merchandise, gift cards and more.

Revel Systems integrates front of house and back of house operations into a single dashboard. Designed to increase security, stability, ease of use, and speed of service, Revel’s streamlined ecosystem provides businesses with the right tools to grow. Learn more at revelsystems.com/unstoppable.

 

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    1. Curiosity
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    1. Attention span. 
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Find out if they're are a team player or not. 
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Finding way to keep his team motived and focused on the vision. 
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Always help the dishwasher. 
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Service extends beyond the guests and to your team. 
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
    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?
    • They don't take care of local farms. 
  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
  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?
    1. Food and hospitality are always improved by care from the source.
    2. All great restaurants are a product of their place and time. Embrace it. 
    3. How you treat people is everything. 

Contact info:

barleyswine.com

oddduckaustin.com

sourduckmarket.com

@oddduckaustin

@barleyswine

@barelyswine

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Mark Buley for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

 

Direct download: 591_Mark_Buley_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:32pm EST

Jake Maddux hails from Bartlesville, OK, and is graduate of Oklahoma University. Prior to getting involved in the world beer and hospitality, Maddux served as a U.S. Marine. After his service, Maddux found himself in San Francisco, working for one of the most renowned breweries in the world, Anchor Brewing Company. Maddux also spent some time with another industry great, New Belgium Brewing Company, before finding his way to Austin. In 2018 Maddux, founded The Brewers Table, where their focus is on community, collaboration, and creating beer as good as the food and food as good as the beer.

the founder of the project and a veteran of both the United States Marine Corps and Austin’s respected craft brewing scene

As a 25-year-old former U.S. Marine, Maddux moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to work at a winery. He found a roommate on Craigslist and later discovered that her uncle was Fritz Maytag, the former owner of Anchor Brewing Company.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Push through it."

In this episode with Jake Maddux, we discuss: 

  • How Jake discovered his passion for beer. 
  • The importance of consistency and discipline and how to maintain a culture of consistency and discipline. 
  • Having core values and higher purposes underlying your company to attract onto yourself top talent. 
  • The impact of knowing someone believes in you. 
  • Giving your employees the room to grow on your dollar and time. 
  • Why it is important to differentiate yourself. 
  • What approach to take when networking.  
  • Why Maddux chose to focus on on-site consumption. 
  • Caring about the right things; quality.  
  • Using pop-ups to create a culture and brand.
  • Being a part of the solution.  

Today's sponsor:

Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country — they were even named best online payroll by PCMag. And as a listener, you’ll get three months free when you run your first payroll. Sign up and give it a try at Gusto.com/unstoppable

BentoBox helps restaurants grow their business through a connected suite of tools, offering them an integrated website to connect with their guests and drive revenue online. Restaurant owners and operators are able to easily update menus, promote specials, take catering and event inquiries, sell merchandise, gift cards and more.

Revel Systems integrates front of house and back of house operations into a single dashboard. Designed to increase security, stability, ease of use, and speed of service, Revel’s streamlined ecosystem provides businesses with the right tools to grow. Learn more at revelsystems.com/unstoppable.

 

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Stubbornness
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Pride. 
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Enthusiasm. 
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Controlling labor. He's controlling his labor expense with budgets. 
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Respect for yourself and others. 
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Predictive hospitality. 
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
    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?
    • Maintaining enthusiasm.
  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
  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?
    1. Be kind. 
    2. Be Generous
    3. Be Professional. 

Contact info:

@thebrewerstableaustin

@beerevangelist

www.thebrewerstable.com

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Jake Maddux for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!
Direct download: 590_Jake_Maddux_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

Ryan Salts Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast

Hailing from San Antonio and graduate of  St. Mary’s University with a BBA in Accounting, Ryan Salts' experience includes working at the 80/20 Foundation and Geekdom prior to helping open Launch SA (formerly Café Commerce). Through Launch SA, Ryan created many of the programs now operating, including Break Fast & Launch, Pitch Tab and San Antonio Entrepreneurship Week.  His greatest value is his network and helping provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to create valuable connections.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

Every day is a new day.

In this episode with Ryan Salts, we discuss: 

  • How powerful taking an interest in others can be. 
  • Once you've gained an idea of who is who, helping people connect. 
  • What attracted Ryan to entrepreneurism. 
  • How part of Ryan's mission with Break Fast & Launch is to paint a realistic picture of how hard it is to opening a food and beverage operation. 
  • How beneficial it is for entrepreneurs to get involved with organizations like Launch SA simply for the perspective it offers. 
  • What most food entrepreneurs miss when they're opening their food business. 
  • Communicating with the regulatory entities instead of seeing them as if they are the bad guys. 
  • Setting your business up with the right tools on day one so you don't have to fix things while your business is running. 
  • Taking the time to think about what you want to become so you can set yourself up better to get there. 
  • Surrounding yourself with not only mentors who have done what you are doing, but also with peers who are going through the same thing. 

Today's sponsor:

Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country — they were even named best online payroll by PCMag. And as a listener, you’ll get three months free when you run your first payroll. Sign up and give it a try at Gusto.com/unstoppable

BentoBox helps restaurants grow their business through a connected suite of tools, offering them an integrated website to connect with their guests and drive revenue online. Restaurant owners and operators are able to easily update menus, promote specials, take catering and event inquiries, sell merchandise, gift cards and more.

Revel Systems integrates front of house and back of house operations into a single dashboard. Designed to increase security, stability, ease of use, and speed of service, Revel’s streamlined ecosystem provides businesses with the right tools to grow. Learn more at revelsystems.com/unstoppable.

Contact info:

If you have any questions throughout the program please feel free to contact him directly via email or phone (rsalts@launchsa.org, 210.885.5914) –

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Ryan Salts for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!

 

 

Direct download: 589_Ryan_Salts_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

 

Chef Tim McDiarmid was raised on a farm in rural Canada.  After a decade working in some of the most visionary whole foods restaurants in New York City, Tim chose to settle down in sunny, laid back San Antonio. As a single mother, she wanted a flexible profession that would allow her to be with her son as well as focus on the wholesome, playful diet she’d always enjoyed. Tim the Girl Catering was born in 2011. Since then, Tim has won numerous awards and accolades, and opened a second business, The Good Kind Café.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Ultimately, nothing is so important that it is worth losing your cool, if things go wrong."

In this episode with Tim Mcdiarmid, we discuss:

  • How Mcdiarmids childhood help influence who she is today.
  • What it was like moving to NYC after growing up in rural Canada.
  • How mentors don't necessarily have to be older individual; they can be peers.
  • The power of keeping a cool, calm, and collected persona.
  • Finding a unique selling proposition.
  • Not being gimmicky.
  • Going from working in the business to working on the business.
  • Just believing that when you hire people they will help you make more money so that you can afford them.
  • Build a network, and learn to ask for help.
  • How to get the right people around you. Hire slowly. Fire quickly.
  • Being very clear about your vision so you can attract onto yourself the right people.
  • How having an established brand helps with the hiring process.
  • Knowing when to bring on partners vs hiring for help.
  • How if you think a good business lawyers and consultant is too expensive, just wait until you see how expensive hiring a cheap one could be.
  • Being transparent with your intentions and who you are to attract onto yourself like minded individuals.
  • When things go wrong, taking the time to find out why and to create systems to correct for it.
  • While systems are good, it is possible to have too many systems.

Today's sponsor:

Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country — they were even named best online payroll by PCMag. And as a listener, you’ll get three months free when you run your first payroll. Sign up and give it a try at Gusto.com/unstoppable

BentoBox helps restaurants grow their business through a connected suite of tools, offering them an integrated website to connect with their guests and drive revenue online. Restaurant owners and operators are able to easily update menus, promote specials, take catering and event inquiries, sell merchandise, gift cards and more.

Revel Systems integrates front of house and back of house operations into a single dashboard. Designed to increase security, stability, ease of use, and speed of service, Revel’s streamlined ecosystem provides businesses with the right tools to grow. Learn more at revelsystems.com/unstoppable.

 

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Building an emotional connection with guest and network. 
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Having too much compassion. 
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Ask, "What is your worst job? How long did you last?" 
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Keeping her eye on the big picture while scaling
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • building an emotional connection with their guests. 
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • Educate and teach guest. 
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
    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?
    • Make good food. 
  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
  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?
    1. Don't let the hard lessons in life harden your heart. 
    2. Do something you love. 
    3. Take the time to appreciate the good parts of life. 

Contact info:

TimTheGirl.com

TheGoodKind.com

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Tim McDiarmid  for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!
Direct download: 588_Tim_McDiarmid_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

 

Hailing from Dunkirk, NY, at the age of 19, Chef Stephen Paprocki moved to San Antonio after falling in love with the city during a previous vacation. He's worked at some of the finest restaurants in San Antonio, spent years as an Omni Task Force Chef, as well as received formal training and a degree from Johnson & Wales University.

Today, Chef Paprocki wears a number of hats including: Chef; Restaurant Consultant at Top Chefa LLC; Food Entrepreneur with his business Texas Black Gold Garlic; Managing Partner at Pharma from the farm; President of San Antonio's Chef Cooperatives; His most important hat... Mentor for Launch SA.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

One team. One goal 

In this episode with Stephen Paprockir, we discuss:

  • The difference between the hotel industry and the restaurant industry from an employee standpoint. 
  • The importance of finding work life balance. 
  • How to get a team to follow you wherever you go. 
  • Giving your place of employment plenty of notice before you leave.  
  • Doing your research before going into business with an organization. 
  • Not getting involved with an organization as a partner if they're not willing to show you the numbers.  
  • The power of being open and honest with the people you employ. 
  • How the command and control leadership style doesn't work anymore. You need to have fun.  
  • Why it is important to enjoy the ride; there is no point in working so hard if you cannot enjoy it. 
  • How Stephen got the idea of Texas Black Gold Garlic. 
  • Selling a products back to the company you work for. 
  • Taking advantage of  any local incubators or entrepreneurial support systems you city may offer. 
  • How there is opportunity in food as medicine. 
  • Knowing where your food comes from. 

Today's sponsor:

Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country — they were even named best online payroll by PCMag. And as a listener, you’ll get three months free when you run your first payroll. Sign up and give it a try at Gusto.com/unstoppable

BentoBox helps restaurants grow their business through a connected suite of tools, offering them an integrated website to connect with their guests and drive revenue online. Restaurant owners and operators are able to easily update menus, promote specials, take catering and event inquiries, sell merchandise, gift cards and more.

Revel Systems integrates front of house and back of house operations into a single dashboard. Designed to increase security, stability, ease of use, and speed of service, Revel’s streamlined ecosystem provides businesses with the right tools to grow. Learn more at revelsystems.com/unstoppable.

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Work ethic.
    • Setting standards.
    • One team one goal.
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • Empathy.
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Just getting people to show up to the interview is enough of a challenge. 
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Find a new property for expansion. 
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Treat people the way they want to be treated. 
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    1. Other bodies. 
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
    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?
    • Treat people well. 
  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
    • Excel. 
  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?
    1. One team. One goal. 
    2. Treat people the way they want to be treated. 
    3. Think about how you want people to speak about you some day. 

Contact info:

Blackgoldgarlic.com 

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Stephen Paprocki for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!
Direct download: 587_Stephen_Paproki_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

Former audio engineer, radio personality, and insurance claims adjuster, Jody Bailey Newman took a stab at the food an beverage industry with husband, Steve Newmen, in 2009 with their unique concept, The Friendly Spot. 10 years later, Jody is a leading craft beer entrepreneur and Chief Friend behind The Friendly Spot Ice House, B&D Ice House Hills and Dales Ice House. In addition, Jody often mentors future small business owners and female business owners through Launch SA, and as an SA2020 Ambassador.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Have faith. Dive in."

In today's episode with Jody Bailey Newman, we discuss:

  • Just diving into what scares you.
  • What made San Antonio a city of opportunity.
  • The role freedom has on happiness and the state of one existence.
  • The importance of having an operating agreement.
  • Doing what gives you peace.
  • Not getting caught up in the past.
  • Why Jody has chosen not to fire people who have stolen from her in the past.
  • How to stay true to who you are.
  • Making decisions that are not just best for your business, but other businesses in your community.

Today's sponsor:

Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country — they were even named best online payroll by PCMag. And as a listener, you’ll get three months free when you run your first payroll. Sign up and give it a try at Gusto.com/unstoppable

BentoBox helps restaurants grow their business through a connected suite of tools, offering them an integrated website to connect with their guests and drive revenue online. Restaurant owners and operators are able to easily update menus, promote specials, take catering and event inquiries, sell merchandise, gift cards and more.

Revel Systems integrates front of house and back of house operations into a single dashboard. Designed to increase security, stability, ease of use, and speed of service, Revel’s streamlined ecosystem provides businesses with the right tools to grow. Learn more at revelsystems.com/unstoppable.

 

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
    • Will try anything twice.
  2. What is your biggest weakness?
    • People taking advantage of her good nature.
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
    • Hiring the wrong people.
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
    • Getting her children to say, "You're good, solid, Mom."
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
    • Jody encourages her people to look up and open their eyes.
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
    • No questions asked, "tap out" policy.
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
    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?
    • Most small business owners are doing what they can, and they should continue doing it.
  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
    • Find a way to communicate with your staff. Let them choose the channel.
  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?
    1. Your family.
    2. Quality and diversity in the work place.

Contact info:

Jody@thefriendlyspot.com

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Jody Bailey Newman for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!
Direct download: 586_Jody_Newman_mixdown.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:30am EST

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