Sunday night I went around the corner to Edley’s, a popular Nashville barbecue restaurant to get take-out dinner for some friends. We are planning a Costa Rican vacation the week after Caterpalooza.
As I was waiting for my order to be prepped, I asked the guy bagging the order behind the line if I could get a box. He enthusiastically said yes, went into the back and emerged with a box. There was something about his voice and mannerisms that seemed rather familiar.
As I did a double take, I blurted out, “Kenny?”
He turned around and looked at me in bewilderment.
“It’s Michael Attias,” I said so he could make the connection.
You see I hired Kenny Hudson, when I first opened my restaurant in 1992. He worked the line, the pit and catered. Kenny was one of my favorite guys. I sold my white VW Fox from college to him.
Kenny was and still is an incredibly hard worker and super nice guy.
As we played catch up, I learned he does plumbing during the day. We reminisced about the early days of Corky’s and some of our co-workers/characters.
It was truly the high point of my day to run into Kenny.
If someone were talking about you from the good old days and asked, “Where is he now?” What would people say about you.
I think most of us have a desire, need or drive to constantly improve. I would die without the constant challenge to make things better, improve and grow.
As I once heard asked, do you have ten years of experience or one year of experience ten times?
It is a major difference between people who seem to spin their wheels and people who make things happen.
I don’t remember who said it, but an hour a day dedicated to the study of a subject will make you an expert in a year. What’s the last book you read, podcast you listened to, seminar you attended or consultant you worked with?
Those people who learn that my personal coach is more expensive than my house note are shocked I spend so much. I consider it an investment that has paid back in spades.
Even if you are dead broke, the internet is a treasure chest of free advice and education. Don’t own a computer? The public library will let you use theirs to search.
Whatever good or bad thoughts the people whose paths I have crossed over the years have, I hope they all say I have never stopped growing.
If you want the mental fertilizer to grow in 2016 and beyond, please make plans to send you and your team to Caterpalooza: An Extraordinary Catering Conference for Restaurants.
This two-day catering conference will be held in Nashville, Tennessee, March 7th & 8th, 2016. I expect this event to fill up.
We have early bird savings going on until Friday, January 29th.
Just go to www.Caterpalooza.com/register
My team and I hope to see you in Nashville!
Well, that’s all for this issue.
To Your Restaurant's Marketing & Catering Success,
Michael Attias
Restaurant Catering Software
P.S. – If you need help growing catering sales, then please go to www.RestaurantCateringSoftware.com and download my free eBook: Cater or Die!
P.P.S. – I make a limited number of time slots available each week for a free Catering Strategy Session with me. (You also get a catering menu critique and free analysis of your website for “Catering Effectiveness”). For complete details and to grab one of the limited spots, please go to:
http://www.restaurantcateringsoftware.com/catering-planning-strategy-session
P.P.P.S. – Please check out my podcast at www.RestaurantCateringSmarts.com
P.P.P.P.S. - Anyone wishing to reprint my articles may do so. Please email me for the bi-line to use for proper author’s credits.
