Wisking it all

By: Angelo Esposito
  • Summary

  • Welcome to Wisking it all, where we interview hospitality professionals who put everything on the line to do what they do, and we try to understand how and why? Contrary to most businesses the hospitality business is mainly made up of people who are passionate about their trade. Not many people go into it for the money but go into it for the passion of delivering a unique customer experience.
    WISK.ai
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Episodes
  • S2E60 - Becoming The Hospitality Leader You Aspire To Be
    Nov 4 2024
    About the Episode

    In this conversation, Christin Marvin shares her journey from a 20-year career in the hospitality industry to becoming a consultant and leadership coach. She discusses the challenges faced by independent restaurant owners, the importance of self-awareness, and the need for effective leadership development.

    Christin emphasizes the significance of creating sustainable business practices and shares success stories of her clients who have transformed their leadership styles. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of the restaurant industry and the resources available for operators to thrive.

    In this conversation, Christin Marvin and Angelo Esposito discuss the challenges and strategies in the hospitality industry, focusing on leadership, setting boundaries, and the importance of community. Christin shares insights from her book, 'The Hospitality Leaders Roadmap,' and her podcast, 'No Hesitations,' emphasizing the need for mental fitness and positive intelligence in leadership.

    They explore current trends in the restaurant industry, the shift towards neighborhood dining, and the future of hospitality amidst changing consumer behaviors.

    Takeaways
    • Christin started in hospitality at 15 as a line cook.
    • She opened 13 different restaurants throughout her career.
    • Burnout led her to seek coaching and support.
    • Self-awareness is crucial for personal and professional growth.
    • Independent restaurant owners often lack leadership resources.
    • Effective communication is key to managing teams.
    • Setting boundaries is essential for work-life balance.
    • Leadership development can transform restaurant operations.
    • Success stories illustrate the impact of coaching.
    • Creating a sustainable business model is vital for success. Operators often feel they must be everything to everyone.
    • Setting boundaries is crucial for sustainability in leadership.
    • Identifying and developing talent within the team is essential.
    • Communication platforms can help maintain team connection.
    • The hospitality industry is evolving with new leadership paths.
    • Service quality is becoming more important than food quality.
    • Neighborhood restaurants are thriving post-COVID.
    • Financial caution is influencing dining habits.
    • Mental fitness is key to managing stress in leadership.
    • Building strong relationships is vital for business growth.
    Timestamps

    00:00 Hospitality: Passionate, stimulating, challenging entrepreneurial space. 03:21 Neglected self-investment, turned to alcohol, sought coaching. 07:42 WISK helps restaurateurs focus on their passion. 10:21 Businesses seeking sustainability, leadership training, systems development. 14:15 Influential coach for restaurant owners, leadership resources. 16:05 New leadership needs structure, training, and support. 21:18 Entrepreneurial growth: Efficiency over busyness, maturity realized. 22:09 Focus on impactful actions, explore the Hospitality Leaders Roadmap. 25:12 Hospitality careers evolving beyond limited roles. 29:25 Restaurants finally get deserved attention for growth. 32:44 Success requires comprehensive service, strong community focus. 35:35 Remote work's impact on downtown businesses uncertain. 40:54 Monthly expert webinars on diverse business topics. 41:53 Leverage resources to improve restaurant leadership skills.

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    43 mins
  • S2E59 - Creating a Winning Restaurant Culture that Lasts
    Oct 28 2024
    About the Episode

    In this conversation, Jason Berkowitz, founder of Arrow Up Training, shares his extensive journey in the hospitality industry, detailing his passion for the field and the lessons learned from opening nearly 100 restaurants. He emphasizes the importance of training, feedback, and maintaining clear processes to ensure operational efficiency.

    Jason discusses the critical path to opening a restaurant and how effective documentation and playbooks can significantly impact success. He also highlights the need for clear communication about roles and expectations to foster a positive work culture. In this conversation, Jason Berkowitz discusses the importance of streamlining restaurant operations, the significance of developing leadership within the industry, and the inception of Arrow Up Training.

    Moreover, he emphasizes the need for systems to reduce micromanagement and improve efficiency, especially when expanding restaurant locations. The discussion also touches on the challenges of compliance and the necessity of training supervisors to enhance employee retention.

    Finally, Berkowitz shares insights from his book, 'Please Don't Sleep With The Host,' and outlines future plans for Arrow Up Training, focusing on providing accessible training resources for the restaurant industry.

    Takeaways
    • Jason's journey into hospitality began at a young age, inspired by his mother's clothing business and a local Burger King.
    • The vibe and atmosphere of restaurants play a crucial role in attracting individuals to the industry.
    • Training programs are essential for employee success and should be prioritized from the start.
    • Feedback is vital for employee development and should be a continuous process.
    • Documenting processes is key to maintaining consistency and efficiency in operations.
    • A critical path to opening a restaurant helps manage timelines and responsibilities effectively.
    • Rent can often be the least expensive aspect of opening a restaurant compared to lost labor costs due to delays.
    • Clear definitions of roles and expectations help prevent misunderstandings and improve team dynamics.
    • Creating a culture of constant training and feedback can enhance employee engagement and performance.
    • Cost savings can have a more significant impact on profitability than increased sales. Streamlining operations can save money and reduce headaches.
    • Establishing systems limits the need for micromanagement.
    • Developing supervisors into leaders is crucial for growth.
    • Compliance training is essential for restaurant culture.
    • Empowering employees leads to better retention rates.
    • Training should speak the language of the industry.
    • Supervisors are key to bridging expectations and execution.
    • Creating a community of leaders enhances learning.
    • Offering free training can benefit the entire industry.
    • Future plans include expanding training resources and partnerships.
    Timestamps

    00:00 Teen improved coffee shop sales, began career. 05:57 Focused on creating a training program first. 08:23 Start with personal journey; strong onboarding reduces turnover. 12:24 Foster culture of consistent training and collaboration. 14:37 Defining done avoided arguments and clarified expectations. 17:14 Checklists build or destroy culture through accountability. 19:59 Reducing inventory costs increases profit efficiency. 25:33 Responsibility, timelines, completion, opening date consequences. 27:20 Implement systems for effective management and delegation. 29:57 Developing leaders through soft skills and growth. 33:30 Navigating social boundaries reduces risk for insurers. 35:40 Building community of young empowered leaders. 39:23 Transition from old-school to new-school management. 43:11 Helping people through free content and resources. 46:53 Future plans: insurance discounts, sponsored free courses. 48:29 Jason Berkowitz discussed on WISKing it All.

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    49 mins
  • S2E58 - The Leadership, Culture, and Profitability Connection
    Oct 22 2024
    About the Episode

    In this conversation, Sam Fonseca takes us through his fascinating journey, beginning with his first encounter with Raising Cane's in California, and the impactful career choices that followed. From record-breaking sales at Raising Cane’s to leading the busiest location of Dave’s Hot Chicken, Sam's story is a testament to the power of innovative practices and strategic career moves.

    We also explore Sam's role as a restaurant coach, helping founders scale their businesses with his 'ops method'—a strategic approach to observation, planning, and implementation. Listen in as Sam shares his thoughts on "founder's fatigue," the importance of mentoring, and how a coach can uncover business blind spots. Whether you're a seasoned restaurateur or just setting out, Sam's insights and experiences offer invaluable lessons on leadership and growth in the restaurant industry. So, grab your headphones and get ready for an episode packed with wisdom and practical tips for success!

    Takeaways
    • Sam Fonseca helps founders scale their restaurant businesses.
    • Leadership plays a crucial role in the restaurant industry.
    • Founders fatigue can lead to a loss of passion for the business.
    • Young, fun brands are exciting opportunities in the market.
    • Operational improvements can lead to significant sales increases.
    • A tailored coaching approach is essential for restaurant success.
    • Common mistakes include lack of passion in hiring and operations.
    • Having a coach can provide valuable insights and accountability.
    • Understanding your people is key to improving operations.
    • Success stories demonstrate the impact of effective leadership and systems.
    Timestamps

    00:00 Started working at In-N-Out for family. 03:43 The handshake matters more than the roast. 07:10 Seeking energetic, young, fun brands constantly excites. 12:22 Opening earlier increased sales by $2 million. 15:15 Successful career built on a proven formula. 18:41 Coaching tailored to various client needs. 20:07 Quick improvements for restaurants to improve operations. 25:02 Coaches provide valuable guidance and accountability. 27:28 What does working with Sam entail? 31:24 Online courses for restaurant management career growth.

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    33 mins

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