"The Mayor's" Restaurant Empire

Bootstrapped Unicorns: Entrepreneurship with Josh Pies

LINK TO YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/sR_n7ootvoc

EPISODE NUMBER: 7

RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 2024

SHOW NOTES:

"The Mayor's" Restaurant Empire: The Bootstrapped Unicorns Podcast Episode 7

This episode features a conversation with Steve Gunter, owner of the Tap Room at Dubsdread in Orlando, FL, discussing the importance of hiring the right people and empowering them to create a positive business atmosphere. Steve emphasizes the value of caring for employees, setting high standards, and fostering a culture of excellence in the restaurant industry, while showcasing real-life examples of exceptional employee dedication and customer service.

00:00 Introduction and Background 00:34 Meeting Steve Gunter: The Mayor of College Park 01:10 Steve's Journey to Florida and His Love for Sports 02:04 The Tap Room at Dubstrad: A Business Overview 02:23 The Importance of Business Partnerships 03:53 The Evolution of Steve's Career 05:22 The Influence of Steve's Father on His Business Approach 08:21 The Challenges and Triumphs of Running a Restaurant 13:55 The Importance of Community Involvement in Business 15:08 The Legacy of Dubs Dread and Its Impact on the Community 17:19 The Power of People and Culture in Business Success 21:18 The Role of Employee Incentives and Customer Satisfaction 24:53 The Influence of Family and Personal History on Business 27:37 The Importance of Trust in a Team 27:52 Creating a Serious Family Atmosphere at Work 28:21 The Impact of Trust and Responsibility on Business Operations 29:07 The Power of Empowering Employees 30:21 The Role of Adaptability in Business Success 31:02 The Importance of Competition in Entrepreneurship 31:33 The Challenges and Rewards of Running a Restaurant 32:51 The Power of Partnership in Business 33:51 The Importance of Conflict Resolution in Business Partnerships 34:08 The Role of Consultants in Business Success 35:14 The Importance of Employee Motivation and Compensation 35:54 The Role of Business Education in Entrepreneurship 37:41 The Importance of Community in Business Success 43:22 The Role of Business Owners in Employee Welfare 46:58 The Importance of Hiring the Right People 53:03 The Role of Business Owners in Community Development

BLOG:

In the restaurant industry, it often boils down to dedication, hard work, and adapting to pivoting moments. While many might tout the chef as the heart of the operation, in reality, a successful restaurant is more than just its menu. This truth shines brightly in the case of restaurant-owner Steve Gunter of the Tap Room at Dubsdread, a charming culinary gem located in a century-old building in College Park, Orlando. Steve's approach to successful management is as unique as it is interesting, particularly because he candidly admits, "I don’t know how to cook!”

One of the most intriguing aspects of Gunter's success is his lack of formal training in the culinary arts. He's a business degree holder with a fervor for culture and people-orientation, and surprisingly enough, he says this is the edge he brings to his successful restaurant. His rich hospitality background, corporate experience with brands like Sears, Delta, and Coors, and the powerful influence of his father who managed Sears, have collectively shaped his business philosophy.

A recurring theme throughout our conversation was culture. Steve strongly believes that culture separates a thriving business from a mundane one. It’s not just about strategic business orientations like setting goals, executing plans, and closely scrutinizing profit and loss statements. It’s also about the manner in which you cultivate relationships within your organization, nurture talent, and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of those working within your business. “You don’t have rights; you have responsibilities,” Gunter shares, echoing his father’s ethos.

One of Steve’s significant business attributes is the nature and strength of his partnership with Barbara Teal, a linchpin at The Tap Room. Barbara, an operations expert, brings an array of talents - including excellent decision-making skills - to the operation. Together, they've created a resilient, formidable force – two complementary halves forming a potent whole.

Apart from being adept at operations and displaying a flair for business, Barbara shares Steve’s fervor for culture and treating employees well. Steve argues that this “culture of care” is pivotal to their success, and ensures they maintain an empowered, satisfied, and productive workforce.

Steve’s underlying philosophy is simple - get the right people in the building, motivate them, train them, give them a conducive environment, and they'll do amazing things. “Our mantra is 'mistakes are okay; we all make mistakes... but a lack of effort is not.' We encourage them to be managers.”

Steve believes in nurturing his workforce, not micromanaging them. He treats his employees respectfully, believes in their potentials, and arms them with the needed tools and authority to make key decisions on the job. From his experience, providing people with an environment that encourages self-expression and personal growth guarantees a thriving business.

Through employing the right people, creating and maintaining a powerful culture, and enabling employees to excel, Steve Gunter has created a beloved haven in the Tap Room at Dubsdread. Underneath the restaurant’s charming old-world essence, an ever-evolving dynamic team of dedicated employees, and the unique partnership between Steve and Barbara, lies the magic recipe for a successful restaurant.

Although he jokingly describes himself as "unskilled but well-off," it's clear that Steve’s approach to business, combined with a laser-focused passion for creating a positive and empowering work environment, is far from ordinary. This is a business story worth learning from, a tale not rooted in a love for food or cooking, but in people, culture, and the power of a well-executed business philosophy.

PODCAST TOPIC KEYWORDS:

Tap Room at Dubsdread, business ownership, restaurant ownership, employee management, business partnership, teamwork, community

IMPORTANT OTHER LINKS:

Our Show Website: https://www.BootstrappedUnicorns.com

Our Company Website: https://www.C47Films.com

The Tap Room at Dubsdread: https://taproomatdubsdread.com/

The BU Private (FREE) Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bootstrappedunicorns/