Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore 896: Steph Sellers Founder of Cookies & Dreams
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Founder and Chief Cookie Officer of Cookies & Dreams, Stephanie Sellers. Iowa native, Stephanie Sellers, discovered her love of baking as a kid peering over the counter as Mimi (her long-time babysitter) taught her the basics while they baked up a storm. her "hobby" later turned into a full-time business-- baking wedding cakes birthday cakes, & more for the community & local restaurants. Stephanie and her husband went on to open a couple of restaurants where baked goods were always featured. Then, amidst the pandemic in early 2020, Cookies and Dreams was launched. Today Cookies & Dreams has sold close to ONE MILLION COOKIES and have scaled to 4 brick and mortar locations with two more opening in the summer of 2022 throughout Iowa.
Check out episode 894 with Jack Piper as mentioned in today's episode.
Today's feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!
Show notes… Calls to ACTION!!!- Join Restaurant Unstoppable Network and get your first 30 days on me! Connect with my past guest and a community of superfans.
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- "There is no secret; keep going."
In this episode with Steph Sellers we will discuss:
- Mentors
- Problem solving
- Customer service
- Closing a business
- Whole sale
- Construction and contractors
- Staffing
- Pop ups
- Farmers markets
- Mental health
- Motherhood and entrepreneurial leadership
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Knowledge bombs
- Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
- Epically curious
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Trying to do too much
- What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
- Good, positive vibe
- What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
- Being a new mom
- Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
- Assume positive intent
- What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
- Say "guests" instead of "customers"
- What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
- The No Rules Rules Book by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer
- GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
- What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
- Text message marketing
- What is one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or often enough?
- Emotional intelligence
- Name one service you've hired.
- 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?
- Don't lose sight of what you are passionate about
- Don't try to do everything by yourself
- Be mindful of emotional intelligence
Website: idreamaboutcookies.com
Instagram: @idreamaboutcookies
Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you'd like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!
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Huge thanks to Steph Sellers for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!
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