Episode 645: From Electrician to James Beard Nominee: The Jacob Sessoms Story

Asheville-based restaurateur Jacob Sessoms shares his 26-year journey from a trade-focused background in electrical work to becoming a James Beard-nominated chef. Sessoms details how his early experience in construction provided a unique "unfair advantage" in the restaurant world, allowing him to maintain his own facilities and stay resilient during lean times. He discusses the difficult transition from being a passionate cook to a disciplined business owner, highlighting the shift from sole proprietorship to a sophisticated investment model that allows for shared risk and growth. Throughout the conversation, Sessoms advocates for "running into the storm" like a bison, viewing failures, including the 2008 crash and COVID-19, as essential educational assets that build long-term grit and operational strength.

10 Key Takeaways

1. Technical Skills as Leverage: Jacob’s background as an electrician allowed him to fix his own equipment, saving thousands in repair costs and proving his worth in NYC kitchens.
   
   
2. The "Bison" Mentality: While cows run away from storms (and stay in them longer), bison run into the storm to get through it faster. Successful owners face challenges head-on.
   
   
3. Cooking vs. Business: Opening a restaurant isn't about "making food"; it’s a business of managing rent, debt, and payroll. The food is often peripheral to the objective of the business.
   
   
4. Failure as Tuition: View financial setbacks (like a $14,000 audit) as the price of a business education you didn't get in a classroom.
   
   
5. The Advantage of Being Under-Capitalized: Starting "scrappy" forces owners to learn every facet of the operation, building a foundation of resilience that over-capitalized owners often lack.
   
   
6. Evolving Ownership Models: Moving from a sole proprietorship to raising equity from investors can provide a safety net and allow owners to "breathe" during cash-flow crunches.
   
   
7. Economic Cycles: Recognize that the economy operates on 8-to-12-year cycles; understanding this helps owners prepare for the inevitable "down" periods.
   
   
8. Strategic Partnerships: Success often relies on strong partnerships. Jacob continues to work with his ex-wife and primary business partner, Alicia, to manage their diverse portfolio.
   
   
9. Turning Adversity into Opportunity: Jacob’s first restaurant, Table, was born after a potential partner’s struggles left him holding a lease he had to navigate alone.
   
   
10. Practical Education: Jacob preferred the French Culinary Institute because it was 100% lab-based with no classrooms, emphasizing that hospitality is a craft learned by doing.