Entrepreneur, restaurateur, and environmental advocate, Josh Kopel, was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Throughout his 20+ year career in food and beverage, he has managed venues ranging from the Alligator Bayou Bar, as well as the hottest Hollywood nightclubs, bars, and ultra-lounges. He went independent in 2010, opening his first concept Five0Four, in Hollywood, CA. Ten years later, he's created a family of brands ranging from Michelin-rated fine-dining to fast-casual, all with a central focus on Southern hospitality and Southern cuisine. Check out his website here.

To learn more about carbon-neutral operations visit Chef Sammy Monsour's website.

Check out Josh's podcast - Full Comp Podcast

Check out Principles by Ray Dalia as recommended by Josh in this episode.

Check out Traction: Get a Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman as recommended by Josh in this episode.

Check out Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins as recommended by Josh in this episode.

Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!!

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Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Success is a mindset, not a feeling."

In today's episode with Josh Kopek we will discuss:

Gratitude
Don't be satisfied; be grateful
Nightclub hospitality
Understanding your failures AND your success
Fear in the industry, fear to fail
Gender inequities in the restaurant industry
Creating a side-hustle to leverage the cost to open your business
Passive income - can you leverage it?
Invest in people, not businesses
Outward vs. inward growth
Authentic desperation in trying to make people happy
Every restaurant you buy is giving you a new job
Southern food on the west coast
Damage control in your restaurant when it's needed
What is equity worth vs. cash flow?
Strategic quitting: if something isn't working, STOP!
Ego and vulnerability

Today's sponsor:

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Knowledge bombs

Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
- My vulnerability
What is your biggest weakness?
- My ego
What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
- "How do you feel about people?"
What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
- COVID-19, "how can I be more of-service?"
Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
- Attention to detail
What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
- Everybody leaves happy
What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
- Traction: Get a Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman
- GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or do often enough?
- Quit
Name one service you've hired.
- Social media manager
What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influenced operations?
- justcallFLO.com - virtual reservation systems
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?
- Focus on your family, they should be your only priority
- Treat others how you want to be treated
- Honesty is the best policy

Contact info:

Instagram: @joshkopel

joshkopel.com

Josh's podcast - Full Comp Podcast

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Josh Kopel 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!

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