Top Restaurateurs Know There is More to Life Than “Good”

It turns out you can have your cake and eat it, too. In fact, you owe it to yourself!

My clients prove that every day, when we improve their businesses and lives.

After all, there is no point in being successful if you cannot enjoy your time at work as well as your time away from work.

That just about sums up my core beliefs—built from almost three decades of advising owners of successful multi-unit independent restaurant companies.

Why Haven’t You Already Handled This?

The question I ask myself every day is, “Why aren’t restaurateurs as good to themselves as they are to their guests?”

Why do restaurateurs tolerate having a merely good business that could be fantastic?

Why do they wait to make improvements until there is a sales decline, their company outgrows their management, or they don’t have time to see their kids?

Why don’t they set up their business to maximize their net worth and support the lifestyle they want in the first place?

Is it human nature?

The entrepreneur is, by nature, a positive person. If they were not, they would not have started their business in the first place.

They are wired to think things will get better.

Is it pride?

“I can do this myself. It will self-correct. Everyone else is having challenges, so it is OK that I have mine.”

I have heard all of these.

Is it generational?

A new generation of owners is quicker to reach out for assistance through their network or after doing research.

They don’t attach a stigma to it; they see it as simply part of doing business.

They are also less willing to defer gratification—which connects to their attitude about change, improvement, and help.

Things I Have Heard from Clients

1. I should have made these changes when we had 10 units—and now we have 20.
2. Why didn’t I do this five years ago?
3. Or 10 years ago?
4. I am no longer in denial that I need a consultant.

As we start focusing on wrapping up 2018 with a strong fourth quarter and entering into 2019 with new plans and attitudes—and budgets—I invite you to take stock of where you are in your business, and how it supports your wealth and your lifestyle.

Wasted years, like wasted time and money, are regrettable. You deserve better.

Over to you. What have you tolerated, year after year, that you know could be better—in your business and your life? When are you going to take action?