455: Declaring it before you have it with Debbie Sutton

455: Declaring it before you have it with Debbie Sutton

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee March 23, 2018 Duration: 1:06:08

n this episode with chef Debbie Sutton, we discuss: 

  • What Debbie first liked about the hospitality industry; dealing with and making people happy. 
  • Keeping sight of the bottom line. 
  • Bad issues in most restaurants starting at the top. 
  • How to turn around a failing restaurant. 
  • Our responsibility as business owners to see the good and strengths in others, pulling it out of them, and helping them along their path in life. 
  • Holding people back from progressing for your own benefit being the worst thing you can do. 
  • How success can be defined by how many people you've helped. 
  • How the corporate world put people "in a box" and limits creativity. 
  • The power of declaring what you want in live. Say it out loud! 
  • How Organization is important and if you're not organized find people who are. 
  • Focusing on what you do best keeping the cashflow high. 
  • While it is good to be the best at one thing, don't put all your eggs in one basket. 
  • How less... can be more. Keep it simple. 
  • Why knowing what you're able to do and holding your ground is so important during the negotiation process.
  • Learning how and knowing when to say "no". 
  • How saying no can lead to trust. 

Hailing from New York, Chef Debbie Sutton has 30 plus years of cooking and restaurant management experience. In 1999 wanting to offer more, she and her Father chose to open their own café' and catering business in White House, TN. Today, Debbie is Owner and Executive Chef of 8 Lavender Lane, a full service catering and foods company managing 1,100+ event meals and 250,000+ wholesale sweets per year within the wedding, corporate, and special events arena's.

Show notes…

Favorite Success Quote or Mantra.

"Be inspired by everyone you meet and everything you see. And, inspire someone every day. 

Today's Sponsor

 

Gusto-  "The best payroll, benefits, and HR for the small business owner." It is time to let Gusto do the heavy lifting. Sign up today, and once you run your first payroll you'll get 3 months FREE on Gusto. Click Here to get started

 

 

bentobox- Bring your restaurant's hospitality online with BentoBox. Get in touch to learn more and save up to $1500 on initial setup when you mention Restaurant Unstoppable. Click Here to get started

  

Knowledge bombs

  1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?

    1. Not living in a box. 
    2. Optimism. 
  2. What is your biggest weakness?

    • Organization.
  3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?

    • Ask, "Why do you want to work here?"
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?

    •  Expansion
  5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.

    • Beware of how you present yourself.  
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?

    • Do whatever it takes to make the customer happy. 
  7. What's one piece of technology you've adopted in your restaurant and how has it influence operations?

  8. 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?

    1. Inspire people everyday.
    2. Be inspired by people every day. 
    3. Be inspired by everything you see. 

Contact Info

Debbie@8lavendarlane.com

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!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for the Restaurant Unstoppable Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and I read each and every one of them.

And finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes to get automatic updates.

Huge thanks to Debbie Sutton 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!

Eric Cacciatore sits down with the people who actually run the show in the world of food service. Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore is built on conversations with established restaurateurs and seasoned professionals who have navigated the intense realities of the industry. Twice a week, these interviews dig past the surface, focusing on the tangible details of leadership, team management, and effective marketing that separate a thriving venue from a struggling one. You’ll hear firsthand accounts of what worked, what didn’t, and the often-overlooked decisions that shape a restaurant's path. This podcast serves as a direct line to collective experience, whether you're dreaming of your first opening or steering a multi-location group. The dialogue is practical, centered on the daily grind and long-term strategy needed to build something lasting. For anyone invested in the business of hospitality, these regular episodes compile a vital resource, turning shared insights into actionable knowledge for your own journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Restaurant Unstoppable with Eric Cacciatore
Podcast Episodes
898: Ben Smart Executive Chef/Partner at Big Grove Brewery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:57:50
With excitement, allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Executive Chef and Partner at Big Grove Brewery, Ben Smart. An Iowa City native, Ben studied Geo Science at the University of Iowa. After graduating, it didn't…
897: Jack Piper on Scaling a CPG From Local Market to Amazon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:36
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Co-Founder of Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack, Jack Piper. Jack got his start in Iowa City working at the legendary China Garden Restaurant, where he learned about amazi…
896: Steph Sellers Founder of Cookies & Dreams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:30
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…
895: Roger Beaudoin Founder/President of Restaurant Rockstars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:54
With excitement allow me to introduce today's guest, the Founder of RestaurantRockstars.com, Roger Beaudoin. Roger is a 27-year veteran Restaurateur and Founder/ President of Restaurant Rockstars. He is an expert at Staf…
894: Jack Piper Co-Founder of Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:20
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Co-Founder of Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack, Jack Piper. Jack got his start in Iowa City working at the legendary China Garden Restaurant, where he learned about amazi…
893: Creative Destruction with David Dressler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:09
With excitement, allow me to introduce to you today's guest, David Dressler. David began his hospitality career at age 6, working in a family-run hotel in the Adirondacks. After graduating from the Ecole Hôtelière, David…
892: Kevin O'Donnell Owner of Giusto [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:35
Born and raised in North Kingstown, Kevin got his feet wet in hospitality early on. Starting as a cabana boy at Bonnet Shores Beach Club at just 15, he then worked at a variety of mom and pop spots throughout high school…
891: David Rodolitz Founder & CEO of Flyfish Club [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:39
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, the Founder, and CEO of Flyfish Club, David Rodolitz. David's entrepreneurial drive in the hospitality industry started at an early age. In 2003, he founded Imp…
890: Michael McHenry Founder of McHenry Group [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:20
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, the Founder of the McHenry Group, Michael McHenry. From selling his first self-built business at the age of 19, Michael has made one thing clear – "a good busin…
889: Jake Brewer Chief Strategy Officer at Miso Robotics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:57
Jake Brewer is the Chief Strategy Officer of Miso Robotics where he oversees products, innovation, and marketing. He brings leadership, operations and product development experience from the restaurant and food service i…