Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food & beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Owen Coomer, COO of Taphouse Taverns, located in Coquitlam, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Taphouse is a lively modern tavern with locations in Guildford and Coquitlam! Our menu and craft beer selection make it the perfect place for lunch and a quick pint. Settle in with some friends and watch the big game, then stick around for great live music, DJs, and dancing. With many flat screens and a gigantic main screen, this is the best place to come and experience sporting games! Book your birthday party, special event, or fundraiser with us and enjoy the best in food, drinks, and entertainment.
Happy hour from 2-6 pm every day and 9 pm to close Sunday through Thursday! Daily lunchtime and dinner specials. Join us for brunch every Saturday and Sunday, served until 2 p.m. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or late at night, our culinary team has devoted themselves to getting you a fresh, delicious meal that you'll return for time and time again!
Our customers are a wide range of people, primarily consisting of 30 to 50 years of age or older* (*especially for brunch and Mother's Day) during our daily happy hour and late evenings, sporting events, etc., but during our late-night dancing portion of our business, we tend to get a touch younger with the crowd, roughly 19 to 30.
Tell us about yourself
I've been in the hospitality industry since I was a young boy. My father was involved in the food and beverage industry, so I saw and heard all about the daily grind growing up. I started stocking shelves at a beer and wine store when I was 15. I've been a porter, bartender, beer and wine store clerk, and MOD. You name it. I've done it. If the dishes need washing, you do it.
I have moved into general manager positions in a few pubs before moving into the operations side of the business, and now I'm the COO of a chain of very successful pubs. What motivates me are the guests. I want to ensure their happiness and overall experience are always unique. I get excited about meeting new people. I get excited seeing old regulars. I also get motivated by wanting to be the best in the industry, a true leader in the hospitality industry, so every day is spent trying to accomplish that.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Although I'm not the owner, I embody and embrace what it would be like to be the owner. I work and make decisions as these are my businesses. I take that very seriously. Overall, my two most significant accomplishments, especially in the last three years, were turning a liquor and late-night entertainment (dancing music) focused business into a truly excellent food program, including being more heavily involved in the takeout and third-party delivery service portion of the company.
Thus continuing to remain profitable even during significant COVID restrictions and ever-changing governing rules and regulations. We became a better pub version of ourselves. We could continue to operate where many places needed help. Secondly, becoming a board member of ABLE BC (Alliance of Beverage Licensees BC) was one of the cherries on the cake. This is a high honor amongst my fellow peers in the hospitality industry. I'm very honored by this. It says I've made it and am respected in my field.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
When you start your own business, you have a mission statement and a vision of what you want your company to be or represent in the community. It isn't easy ensuring that you continue to engage your staff and management teams as your company grows, stays long-term in the industry, etc., significantly when so many factors are constantly changing. You must remain relevant and continuously adapt, but ensure that you stick to your core values and why you started the company.
You have to stay the course and stick with your vision. So overall, it's ensuring that message is driven daily and that your team understands your concept and continues to stay the course (stick with the path, don't sway, stay in your lanes, etc.). If you can master that, you'll be in this industry for a long time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Hiring is key. The people you have working for you is arguably one if not the most important thing for your business. Everyone serves chicken wings. Everyone serves draft beer or rye and coke. Still, only some have the people you have working for you. You'll never be slow if they have the most fantastic personality, smile, drive, and passion. People want to flock to where there is a positive environment with great people.
Make sure to do forecasts and budgets. Make sure you don't spend $2000 when you're only making $1000, no matter how difficult. Your business is not a charity case. Yes, people matter, but you always have to take care of the golden goose. Your business. This is your money. Protect your investment. Your most significant expenses are labor and food costs. Make sure you know your numbers daily. You need to ensure that these two key pieces are in line.
Lastly, don't be afraid to take risks, but everything has to be held to ROI (Return on your Investment). Don't just do for the sake of doing. Have a plan of why and what you will do and why. At that point, you need to evaluate whether this plan will increase sales exponentially. Suppose it won't, then go back to the drawing board. , I think hard and do a ton of research before diving into something. One final extra note would be, "don't worry about consistently winning the battle." Win the war.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thetaphouse.ca/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/taphousecoquitlam/
https://www.facebook.com/taphouseguildford
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taphouse.pubs/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/taphouse_pub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-taphouse/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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