In this episode, Michael is joined by guests Chef Ajay Walia and his wife Reena Miglani to learn about their entrepreneurial journey from Silicon Valley to opening Saffron Indian Bistro, serving northern and southern Indian cuisine. The conversation highlights the importance of creating a heart-centered and profitable business, the power…
Christian Grossmann, Co-Founder & CEO at BeeKeeper, joins Michael in this week's episode. Christian shares insights on the journey of creating Beekeeper, a platform designed to transform communication and engagement with frontline hospitality teams. The discussion covers the challenges faced by frontline workers, including the lack of digital tools tailored…
Today we're joined by Matthew Cameron, a consultant dedicated to improving employee retention, performance, and well-being in hospitality businesses. They explore Matthew's transformative journey from a challenging hospitality career, marked by a personal crisis, to his current mission of enhancing the work environment for others. Matthew shares the concept of…
Dan Simons, the co-founder and CEO of Farmers Restaurant Group, known for its unique business model and dedication to sustainability, joins Michael again on the podcast. Nearly two years since their last discussion, they delve into how the business has evolved, steering clear of pandemic-focused topics. Instead, the conversation highlights…
Tai Ricci, partner at Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group, joins us for this episode. Tai explores a range of topics critical for success in the hospitality business, focusing on innovation, culture, leadership, and the impact on communities. She shares her journey from her creative background into the world of hospitality, highlighting…
In this episode, Dr. Vincent Walsh, a UK-based circular regenerative food and agriculture expert, shares his journey, insights, and aspirations in making a positive, everlasting impact on the food system through consulting with major UK food and beverage companies. Dr. Vincent discusses the significance of understanding nature's evolution, circular and…
Dan Newman, the Managing Director of Hospitality Rewards, the UK's first employee benefits platform for the hospitality trade joins us in this episode. Dan and Michael discuss the mission of Hospitality Rewards to improve financial, mental, and physical health benefits for employees in the hospitality sector, moving beyond traditional compensation…
Larry Korman is back on the podcast for this week’s episode to talk all about the value of maintaining consistency in business operations, regardless of external circumstances. He provides insights into the importance of humanizing the hospitality experience, especially in unprecedented times, like during the pandemic. Larry also reiterates his…
Natalie Campbell and Charlotte Harrington, Co-CEOs of BELU, join Michael today on the podcast. BELU is a Social Enterprise focusing on transforming the hospitality industry's approach to water, uses an innovative business model to deliver top-notch water service to venues while also contributing significantly to social and environmental causes. The…
Welcome to episode 3 of the Special Edition podcast series of “EXPANSION THROUGH CULTURE - The Scandi Way”. We are joined by owner/operator Morten P. Ortwed, founding partner at DiningSix, a Danish restaurant company redefining the dining experience. Morten and Michael dive into: The journey of DiningSix and how they…
In this episode, Michael has a conversation with Rob Liddiard about applying the principles of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in businesses to increase profitability and create heart-centered operations. EOS, is a holistic system that organizations can employ to realize visions, increase accountability and strengthen team health. Rob shares his…
The conversation revolves around Jennifer's journey from an English major to the dynamic world of entrepreneurship. She discusses her passion for solving problems in the hospitality industry with the establishment of Croux. Croux is a platform that bridges the gap between businesses in need of temporary staff and individuals craving…
Ed Barry, the owner of Edify, a business analytics tool for hospitality businesses, discusses his experiences as a former operator. He shares the insights gained from running his coffee shop chain, Over Under Coffee, and how they led him to envision a technology solution to address various operational challenges in…
Welcome to episode 2 of the Special Edition of “EXPANSION THROUGH CULTURE - The Scandi Way”. Michael talks with Simon Wanler, Co-Founder and CEO of Bastard Burger: They Delve into the story of Simon and the renowned burger chain, exploring the vision, mission, and success driving Bastard Burger's rise. ✔️…
Welcome to the Special Edition of “EXPANSION THROUGH CULTURE - The Scandi Way”. In this kickoff episode, your hosts Christopher Cato Lavebrand and Michael Tingsager spill the beans on why Ziik and Hospitality Mavericks joined forces for this exclusive podcast series. ✔️ They discuss how hospitality is facing its toughest…
In this episode, Kyle Grant, the founder and CEO of Oxwash, a company revolutionizing the laundry industry, discusses the environmental impact of traditional laundering methods and how his company strives to significantly lessen it. Kyle details several of Oxwash's innovations, such as cold washing, the use of ozone super saturation,…
In this insightful episode, renowned chef and founder of the globally acclaimed Frenchie restaurant group, Greg Marchand, reflects on the landscape of high end dining and its numerous challenges. Greg discusses his entrepreneurial path and strategic responses to global events and consumer preferences evolution. He also highlights the importance of…
In this honest and informative conversation, Wayne Baker, author of the transformative book 'All You Have to do is Ask', delves into key themes of his work and the integral part they play in personal and organizational success. Discussing reasons why people struggle to ask for help, he points out…
Jeannette Hyde, Nutritional Therapist and Writer, shares her journey from being a journalist to a nutritional therapist fascinated with gut health. This episode delves into the relationship between food, the microbiome, and one's overall health. Jeannette's approach to better gut health involves consuming a variety of plants, including 'live' food,…
Ally Gordon, a successful coach and mentor, returns to discuss how to create a vision and set goals that align with our values, aspirations, and future plans. He stresses on the importance of recognizing our limitations and working around them, as well as challenging our beliefs and understanding our identity…
Today we speak with Darren Spicer bout redefining the drive-thru beverage experience with Clutch Coffee Bar. In this episode, Darren Spicer, CEO and co-founder of Clutch Coffee Bar talks about his U.S. based coffee company’s mission to redefine the drive-thru beverage experience. He discusses their emphasis on human interaction over…
In this episode, former rugby player and current general manager of Zambrero Ireland, Darragh Fanning, shares his transition from professional sports to running a fast-growing restaurant chain, Zambrero. Zambrero is Australia's largest Mexican restaurant franchise with a strong focus on donating meals to those in need. Darragh talks about his…
This week we have fellow podcaster, Chip Klose, The Restaurant Coach, dive into building profitable businesses. In this conversation, Chip emphasizes the importance of understanding the restaurant as a business and the necessity of profit in order to make a positive impact on society. He describes his journey from operations…
Today we speak with Edward D. Hess--Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, Darden School of Business. This conversation covers human behavior and mental function, emphasizing that humans are hardwired to seek affirmation or confirmation of their own beliefs and personal narratives. Edward highlights the need to overcome inherent tendencies to be…