Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennifer Bennett, co-owner of Zazie Restaurant, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Zazie is a small neighborhood bistro in a historic schoolhouse in Cole Valley. We are proud to be tip free and provide all our staff with a living wage, revenue share, and fully funded benefits, including health & dental insurance and a 401k with employer match.
Tell us about yourself
I grew up in Nashville, TN, and started working in my stepmother's restaurant just out of high school. I worked in restaurants for years with no benefits and little job security, so when I had the opportunity to buy Zazie (where I was GM for five years), I was determined to provide a "real" job for my staff, with benefits and a positive, helpful work environment. I often hear how hard owning a restaurant is, but in my experience, treating staff with respect and kindness makes it much easier.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Over half the staff at Zazie have been with us for a decade or more, and I think that creating a work environment where they can feel secure and confident has made a world of difference. I'm very proud of what we've accomplished together going Tip Free was a huge part of that, taking racism and sexism out of the business. The 401k was almost an afterthought, but it's been an incredible resource for my staff, keeping them away from predatory payday loans.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
During early COVID, when the world came crashing down and the state shut us down with no support, the responsibility of 38 families relying on me weighed very heavily on my shoulders. That was the hardest thing I've ever been through as a business owner.
I couldn't believe how many places were just furloughing their staff when the doors closed. I sold my life insurance policy, maxed out my HELOC, and took a 150k loan on my 401k to support the team and pay their health insurance for two months. And this was before any mention of PPP funding began- although, thankfully, we got funding when I was about two weeks away from bankruptcy.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Remember what it was like to be an employee yourself, and treat your staff like you wish you had been treated.
- Hire people you trust, and then take the next big step- TRUST THEM. Micromanaging is terrible for everyone.
- Value your long-time staff, sure, they aren't perfect, but you KNOW their issues/ weaknesses. Any new people are just hiding that stuff from you for now- you'll have to deal with it someday.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.zaziesf.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZazieSF
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zazie_sf/
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.
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