Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore 835: Michael Chernow Founder of Seamore's and Kreatures Of Habit
On the eve of his 17-year milestone of sober living, Michael Chernow, the celebrated serial entrepreneur, restaurateur, fitness expert, and celebrity chef—who has spent more than a decade launching legacy dining destinations such as The Meatball Shop and Seamore's—is taking a rest from restaurants to make healthy breakfasting habitual in his newest venture - Kreatures of Habit. Kreatures of Habit is a brashly branded functional food brand based on a positive daily habit, which Michael exclaims with an expletive, "helps people live their best fuckin' lives." Kreatures of Habit is a love letter to Chernow's own mindful morning breakfast and triumphs over addiction. The PrOATagonist, the brand's heroic inaugural product, combines plant-based protein (30g), gluten-free oats, and essential vitamins + minerals for an equally craveable and convenient breakfast. Prepped in less than 3 minutes, wellness-minded breakfasters have the option of enjoying The PrOATagonist in taste-bud tantalizing flavors such as Chocolate, Blueberry Banana, and Vanilla. A fellow podcast host at the helm of Born or Made, Michael Chernow, who has founded hospitality ventures The Meatball Shop and Seamore's, appeared on Food Network's Beat Bobby Flay, Kitchen Casino, and Chopped, co-authored cookbooks, and landed magazine spreads for his Olympian-like physique, possesses a resume with marathon-like momentum. A poster child for how to live a life well-lived and reach business mogul status, Chernow adopted positive habits that allowed him to replace alcohol with nutrition and fitness and propel his ascent in the New York restaurant scene. In this next act, he takes on breakfast. Please let me know if you are interested in recording with Michael and learning more about Kreatures of Habit. Would love to connect the two of you! I've included a few more details below for reference. Thank you, Jordan Within a podcast interview, Michael can speak to the following aspects of his entrepreneurial and personal journey to excellence: The Sobering Truth - Explore how Michael's recovery from addiction and how positive daily habits and small decisions made on a consistent basis from the beginning of the crux to his success in business and life. The Renaissance Restaurateur - In addition to his past culinary endeavors and upcoming Kreatures of Habit launch, Chernow hosts his own podcast, Born or Made, is an ambassador for Ten Thousand, Muy Thai boxer, a pro status men's physique bodybuilder as well as advisor at Two Hands and Find my Formula, an investor in Greenpoint Fish and Lobster, and husband and father of two young sons. My Morning Machinations - Wake up to Michael's morning routine, which starts at 5:30am and includes technical training for marathons, bodybuilding, and boxing competition, mindfulness practices, and a self-created protein-backed oatmeal recipe, which laid the foundation of Kreatures of Habits' The PrOATagonist. Pandemic Pivot - Hear firsthand how Michael conceptualized Kreatures of Habit after a decade in the restaurant world and why he believes the time is now for direct-to-your-doorstep functional food staples.
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Favorite success quote or mantra:
- "The business of business is relationships and the foundation of relationships is trust."
In today's workshop with David Scott Peters we will discuss:
- Partners
- Business plans
- Entrepreneurship
- Meatballs
- Surround yourself with people who can help you
- QSR vs. full service
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Knowledge bombs
- Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
- Waking up at 5 AM
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Taking things personally
- What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
- Learning a new industry
- What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
- Looking for positive people
- What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
- The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
- Outwitting The Devil by Napoleon Hill GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
- What's one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
- Take time to celebrate the wins
- Name one service you've hired.
- Bookkeeping
- What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
- 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?
- Look people in the eyes and shake hands with a firm handshake
- Ladies first
- Remember people's names
Kreatures Of Habit social handles: @kreaturesofhabit
Seamore's social handles: @seamores
Meatball Shop social handles: @meatballers
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Huge thanks to Michael Chernow for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!
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