In this episode we discuss:

• the importance of self-discipline, setting goals, and living intentionally;
• the impact of cutting drugs and alcohol out of your life.
• how rewarding it can be to provide opportunity for your people.
• why it’s so important to get a proven track recording before opening a restaurant.
• developing and providing opportunity to those in your restaurant in order to retain those in your restaurant.

Executive Chef Eric Donnelly is a Seattle native and local chef favorite. He’s been working in and running kitchen for over 22 years. His first, personally owned restaurant, RockCreek Seafood & Spirits opened in Fremont to rave reviews in July 2013.

This year Eric was a James Beard Award nominee for Best Chef Northwest, and was referenced as one of “Seattle’s Best Chefs” by The Seattle Times. RockCreek was named one of 2013’s Best New Restaurants by Seattle Magazine and one of the Top 20 US Restaurants by UrbanSpoon.

Seattle Metropolitan Magazine included his Wild Mexican Prawns with Anson Mills Heirloom Grits as one of the top 50 dishes of the year.

Show notes…

Sponsor

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Success or Leadership Quote/Mantra

“You look how you cook”

What is your “why”?

• Not wanting to let down his peers.
• The
• to be a mentor and teach others.

“It” Factor

• Satisfaction and pride of knowing he didn’t come from much, yet he’s achieved greatness
• The ability to bring other together and work toward one purpose.
• The ability to recognize that he wouldn’t have achieved his success if not for his people.
• Knowing his definite purpose in life.
• Being a goals setter.
• Having discipline.

Industry Challenge or Failure

• For a short period of time, Chef Donnelly got sucked into the temptations of sex, alcohol, and drugs. While his work didn’t suffer, his personal life did. He knew he wasn’t achieving his full potential, so he decided to exercise discipline. He’s better today because of it.

Knowledge BOMBS

Fundraising Advice

• Get a proven track recording by doing the work, and getting the experience.
• Once you have the experience and truly understand what it takes, then get investors.

Employee Hiring

• Question to ask:
  • What does your future look like?
  • How do you want to grow your career?
• Don’t hire people who are just looking for a job.
• Hire people who inspire you, and make you do a better job.

Employee Retainment

• Develop and grow your team members into better positions.
• Create new opportunities for your team members to fill.
• Share your vision with your team and let them know here they fit into your vision

Industry Challenge

• Finding people who are truly passionate about the restaurant industry, and can align with his vision.

Recommended Product/Service

• OpenTable– OpenTable increases your profits by helping you seat more diners, take more reservations, and turn casual customers into regulars. We reach guests when they’re deciding where to dine. And we enable prompt and attentive service so they come back.
• Restaurant Solution Inc. -(RSI) is an accounting firm specializing in financial and operational management services and systems, focusing specifically on the independent restaurant industry. RSI essentially combines all of your back office work into one easy-to-use platform, streamlining everything from your POS to the IRS.

Best Business Advice

• Travel while you’re young and have no attachments. Go get the experience that you won’t be able to get once you start taking on the liabilities of life.
• See the world, get experience, and learn as much as possible.

Contact Info

Websites:  www.rockcreekseattle.com

Facebook: RockCreekseattle

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for joining us today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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Huge thanks to Chef Eric Donnelly for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

The post 191: Eric Donnelly| Leveraging Discipline, Goal Setting, & Definite of Purpose to Achieve Restaurant Dreams appeared first on Restaurant Unstoppable.