528: Discovering Authenticity with Tony Tellin

528: Discovering Authenticity with Tony Tellin

Author: Inspiring interviews with todays most successful restaurateurs 2-days a wee September 10, 2018 Duration: 1:14:59

20 years ago Tony Tellin stumbled upon the Tazo Tea Offices. He would go on to serve as the right hand man for tea legend, Steven Smith. In 2015 with Steven Smith's passing, Tony Tellin, promise to continue the craft and creativity that made Smith one of the most recognized names in tea. Today, Tony Tellin serves as Head Tea Maker o for Steven Smith Tea.

Show notes…

Favorite Success Quote or Mantra

 Start where you are. Work with what you got. Do the best you can do. 

In this episode with Tony Tellin, we discuss: 

  • How most masters consider themselves students before masters, because they never stop learning. 
  • How Tellin got into tea. 
  • Why we should make "having fun" a core value. 
  • Creating an "we" environment instead of a "us and them" environment. 
  • How curiosity and proactivity has served Tellin's in life. 
  • A little back ground info on Steve Smith. 
  • The role authenticity and being yourself has in branding.
  • Focusing on being the best version of yourself instead of focusing on being like others.   
  • As a mentor, letting your people fail in order to learn. 
  • If you're invited to be a fly on the wall, be a fly on the wall and absorb. Be seen not heard. 
  • Choosing to do big things for small audiences instead of doing small things for big audiences and what comes of it.  

 

Today's Sponsor

Soundtrackyourbrand.comSoundtrack Business lets you play 250 music channels guaranteed to fit any type of business. An easy-to-use dashboard lets you find great music, control all your locations and schedule your sound.

RU50

wisetail.com, A Premier Learning Management System, Wisetail Grew Up Alongside Some of the Most Recognizable Restaurants In the Industry. This Has Helped Shape Their Product and its Functionality Through Real-World Feedback and Rigorous Testing.

 

 

Knowledge bombs

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

    • Stay moving.
  2. What is your biggest weakness?

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

    • Make the interview personal.
    • Go with your heart instead of your brain. 
  4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?

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

    • Just get started, "throw a dart".
  6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?

    • Making something foreign approachable. 
  7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
    GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 

    1. Many lives, Many Men, Many Masters
  8. Share an online resource or tool.

  9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted in your restaurant and how has it influence operations?

  10. 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?

    • Slow down a bit.
    • Have fun.
    • Make more mistakes.If you're not making 2-3 mistakes a week, you're not having enough fun. 

Contact Info

SmithTea.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 Tony Tellin 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
908: Liz Solomon Dwyer Founder & CEO at King David Tacos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:08:21
Liz Solomon Dwyer is the Founder and CEO od King David Tacos. Known for Austin-style breakfast tacos at carts and cafes across the city, King David Tacos was founded by Austin, TX native Liz Solomon Dwyer. She applied he…
907: Greg Provance Author of Butts In Seats [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:09
Greg Provance is the owner of GP Hospitality Partners LLC,. GP Hospitality Partners LLC is a full-service restaurant hospitality consulting firm. In addition to being a consulting partner of Everbowl, Southern California…
906: Sue Bette Founder and Head Coach at Bluebird Hospitality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:14:15
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Sue Bette. Sue Bette is the founder and head coach of Bluebird Hospitality, a Vermont-based company focused on creating community and joy through food and gathe…
905: Erik Shewmaker Founder/Partner of 30Hop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:13:20
With excitement, allow me introduce today's guest, Founder/Partner at Blackstone, 30Hop, Tin Roost, Tribute, and The Iowa Athletic Club- Erik Shewmaker. After graduating from The University of Iowa Tippie College of Busi…
904: Nick Tillinghast founder of DMDT Hospitality [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:12
Nick Tillinghast is the Founder of DMDT Hospitality and Lifestyle. Nick has an untraditional pathway into the hospitality industry. Prior to founding the DMDT Hospitality and Lifestyle Group with partners Ryan Hutchinson…
902: Kevin Scharpf Chef/Owner at Brazen Open Kitchen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:01
With excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Kevin Scharpf. Born and raised in Galena, Illinois, Kevin attended the Le Cordon Bleu of Culinary Arts in Minneapolis, MN. His past culinary experience includes…
901: Corey Mintz author of The Next Supper [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42:07
Corey Mintz is a freelance food reporter (New York Times, Globe and Mail, Eater and others), focusing on the intersection between food with labor, politics, farming, ethics and culture. He has been a cook, a restaurant c…
900: Matthew Swift Founder of Big Grove Brewery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:12
With Excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, the Founder of Big Grover Brewery, Matt Swift. Matt Swift grew up in the restaurant business. His mom, Faye Swift, opened Sluggers in Coralville, IA when Matt w…
899: Kelly Valentine on How to Get the Most Out of Pop-ups [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:14
With Excitement allow me to introduce to you today's guest, Kelly Valentine. Kelly Valentine is the Founder of Femmes in Food where she is a consultant + champion for #ladyowned Food & Beverage brands. She also has a dec…