The Audacity to be in the Food Business
In one of the most coveted venues on the southeast side, The South Shore Cultural Center, an esteemed panel of Food and Beverage Business leaders shared insight and perspective based on their many years of experience. After a humorous opening by none other than westsider, Eric Soderberg The South Shore Chamber of Commerce moderator for the evening started with these 3 question categories, rapid response, recovery, and resilience.
Trez Pugh of Sip and Savor Hospitality always keeps it in fashion and all the way real. His key emphasis was team building. He was able to keep all 3 of his locations open despite the pandemic closure and actually opened a 4th location. As a mom that knows what it's like to have to bring a child to class or work due to lack of child care, I can appreciate that he made the coffee house a school house for his employees with kids. He truly lives up to his slogan..."Where coffee and community Meet".
Now, the harder part is that he had to hire new people in 2 prominent positions, accounting and legal. Lesson: Know the numbers and know the legal restrictions.
The only boss lady on the panel, a champion for other women, Charmaine Rickette, of Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken held her own! Her key emphasize was technology. Quote of the evening, "Pay for technology now and it will pay for itself later!" Her IT man Soloman was an honorable mention and he wasn't even there!
Mark Agnew of Food Lab Chicago stressed the importance of knowing the numbers everyday...he has known the revenue intake everyday for the last 10 years. Lesson: Study the numbers or pay someone who will.
I love a good event lineup and the event name didn't fall short of branding goodness..."Tales from the Trenches" took a look at the good, bad and ugly of being in the restaurant business.
The event sponsors included South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Food Lab Chicago,and the Greater Chatham Initiative.
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