Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore 592: Eric Silverstein on Discipline, Sacrifice, & Playing The Long Game.
Eric Silverstein spent the first 10 years of his life in Japan, before moving to Atlanta Georgia. He would go on to study marketing, finance, and law at Washington University. In 2010, Silverstein left his life of litigation for a life of roaming the streets of Austin in his food truck, The Peached Tortilla, where he served Asian and Southern-inspired tacos and sliders. Over the years, he has continued to grow the business, turning into a multi-truck operation, boutique full-service catering company, two brick and mortar restaurants, and a social house.
Show notes… Favorite success quote or mantra:"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
-Wayne Gretzky
In this episode with Eric Silverstein, we discuss:- Why Silverstein left his life of as a lawyer to open a food truck.
- What Silverstein learned watching his fathers experience with being a restaurateur; don't grow too fast and take your time to build a time.
- How his experience studying law taught him discipline.
- How to develop discipline.
- Why he chose the route of opening a food truck.
- How he believes the food truck model is broke.
- Asking for those your respect and admire for help.
- How growth comes from creating opportunity for people.
- How owners can get in trouble trying to wear too many hats.
- As a lawyer, Silverstein's advice to pay close attention to the termination section in contracts; make sure you have terms to exit the agreement.
- Knowing your target market and giving the people what they want.
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Knowledge bombs
- Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
- Hard Work.
- What is your biggest weakness?
- Incredibly emotional about his business.
- What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
- Hire people who are a good fit for your culture. Silverstein ask's, "Would I invite this person over to my home for dinner?"
- What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
- Minimize day to day task so he focus more no workin on this business.
- Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
- Be ready. Be fucking prepared.
- What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
- Silverstein has his team adopt the mentality that the restaurant is their home and that the people they are serving our their actual guests.
- What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
- What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
- Take an honest assessment on their brand.
- What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant 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?
- It's a marathon; not a sprint.
- Hard work and determination is half the battle.
- There is no success without sacrifice.
Thanks for listening!
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Huge thanks to Eric Silverstein for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!
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