What does it take to build a thriving restaurant group in a small coastal town?

In this episode, Rachael sits down with Jon Dempster, the restaurateur behind E&O Pub, The Shanty, Deadrise Italian Kitchen, and Brown Dog Ice Cream in Cape Charles, Virginia. Jon shares how he turned one dockside dream into four community-favorite restaurants, each grounded in hospitality, teamwork, and heart.

You'll hear how Jon navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, built a loyal team in a high-turnover industry, and learned to balance business growth with family life. He also opens up about the importance of pivoting, staying people-first, and finding calm in the chaos of restaurant ownership.

To learn more, visit the show notes. Connect with Rachael on Instagram!