Hospitality Entrepreneur

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in hospitality services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jody Pennette, founder and CEO of Cb5 Hospitality Consulting Group, located in Greenwich, CT, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Cb5 Hospitality Group is celebrating our 25th anniversary this month with tremendous gratitude for being able to complete close to 500 hotel restaurant projects globally. Having curated a team of top industry specialists, we can craft original dining and bar concepts custom-tailored to our client needs, typically boutique hotels, casinos, and celebrities. We also work with community-based small businesses in the hospitality sector to re-concept their venue with new ideas and techniques. We perform sort of like songwriters for restaurants. We can contour the creations to project a compelling, creative and cohesive impact upon the target audience. Most think the restaurant business is all about feeding people, but we think it's more...we strive for an emotional connection. Ian Schrager expressed it best when he stated, "our goal is to make our guests' spirit soar."

Tell us about yourself

I grew up in a household with a dad who was an iconic advertising/marketing guru and a brother who is a top television producer, so the creative vibration surrounding me drove me to the restaurant industry not as a chef.. or host but as a sort of screenwriter /director. I love the ensemble effect of a small group of people working together with passion and verve towards a common goal.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Every now and then, I create a restaurant that fosters such a nurturing familial spirit that the staff can explore and refine their skills up to the point they fly from the nest and start their own enterprise. This pollination effect has led to several epic success stories. Like a proud papa, I feel blessed to be able to give those just starting out a chance to test their wings.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being able to rely on and trust the team you put together is very hard with young entrepreneurs since they burst with enthusiasm and conviction for their vision. Developing strong communication skills and realizing your role includes inspiring and motivating others who can help evolve the big picture and not strangle opinions or concerns as they may be more objective and thus very helpful in guiding the path to success.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Make absolutely certain you love what you do since there are so many bumps in the road, your passion will ultimately provide the necessary fulfillment along the journey and the endurance to carry on when the horizon gets blurry.
Try to surround yourself with a team that you are willing to invest in, as they will ultimately become your most vital asset. Motivating the team is key so that they embrace the company DNA and can be amazing brand ambassadors as the most tangible direct conduit to the consumer.
Learn and practice patience. So many new businesses eventually fail because of overzealous owners wanting to grow at the first sign of potential success. It is important to both recognize positive momentum and distinguish it from curiosity or default business volume. It's essential to build a foundation that is properly galvanized before moving forward.

Don't chase success... instead, as my father taught me, follow your passion, and if you work hard and develop your skills, there's a good chance success may just find you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://cb5hospitality.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cb5HC/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cb5hospitality/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cb5-hospitality-consulting/about/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.