Changing industries and building a new empire with Gocha Hawkins
Ever wondered what it takes to transition from a successful 30-year career in hair styling to founding a booming restaurant group? I just had the most incredible conversation with Gocha Hawkins, a restaurateur who's taking Atlanta by storm. She shares how she channeled her passion for cooking and community into several restaurants, a tapas bar, a food truck, and even a gourmet retail line. Whether you're a foodie, a business owner, or just someone who loves a good success story, you don't want to miss this episode!
Can't-miss moments:
- What made Gocha leave her successful hair stylist career behind and go all in on a restaurant (no outsourcing to a manager or operator... she literally went all in, and it's seriously inspiring)
- Serving people and solving problems: when the wait time hits an hour, most restaurants just let the time get longer. Gocha came up with a genius move to serve people AND keep wait times down (it may or may not involve creative use of a food truck)...
- How Gocha turned a potential disaster into a money-making opportunity during the pandemic. This'll make you rethink your approach to tough times...
- The one thing Gocha says separates a "server" from an "order taker". I's a game-changer for any customer-facing business (and for you foodies: this distinction is how I find great food in nearly every city I visit)...
- Feeling beat down by inflation? Gocha's got an AWESOME perspective shift to help you reframe and keep kicking ass during tough times...
- Taking a little detour: Gocha and I chat about my days in the service industry, and I reveal the secret alliance strategy I used as a server that helped me turn tables faster...
Gocha's bio:
Gocha Hawkins is a visionary celebrity chef and the owner of the renowned Gocha's Breakfast Bars and Gocha’s Tapas Bar, which provide upscale, tantalizing cuisine that promises an unparalleled dining experience. Transitioning from a successful career in cosmetology, where she worked with A-list celebrities, to conquering the culinary world, Gocha's journey has been marked by resilience and determination.
Hawkins’ tremendous success has underscored the importance of community, prompting her to give back by orchestrating events that emphasize community engagement through educational workshops, local high school partnerships where she helps develop teens in the community, and food drives for underserved communities.
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