Tracy Vaught may be an "accidental restaurateur, but 35 years later she is now one of the most respected in the field. The geologist-turned-restaurateur owns/operates H Town Restaurant Group which includes four of Houston's most successful, award-winning restaurants - Backstreet Cafe, Hugo's, Caracol, and Xochi. The group also recently opened Mi Almita in Honolulu, and the own half of a restaurant Origen.

She is a three-time semifinalist for Restaurateur of the Year for James Beard Awards, named 2003 Restaurateur of the Year at Houston Culinary Awards, and recognized in 2017 for her work by Houston Business Journal's Women Mean Business Awards.

• Check out Restaurantowner.com as mentioned in today's show!

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "Rather than develop from without, develop the employees that you already have within your team."

In today's episode with Tracy Vaught we will discuss:

• The power of mentors
• The boss doesn't always have the best answers
• Renovating an old space to build a restaurant
• Relationships in the workplace
• Taking over an existing restaurant
• Partnerships
• SBA loans
• Slow, small scaling
• Smoking on the job
• Full service vs. fast casual
• Food critics
• introducing new concepts to a market through education
• How has the industry changed in 36 years of restaurant ownership?
• Stay off the cell phone while working

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Teaching
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Taking chances
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • Curiosity
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Labor
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Integrity
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Graciousness
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Setting the Table by Danny Meyer GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Be authentic and be original
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations?
   • Microsoft Teams - group chat software
10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    1. Grow your team from within
    2. Save money
    3. Do something authentic to your own experience

Contact info:

Email: [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Tracy Vaught for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

Restaurant Unstoppable is a free podcast. One of the ways I'm able to make it free is by earning a commission when sharing certain products with you. I've made it a core value to only share tools, resources, and services my guest mentors have recommend, first. If you're finding value in my podcast, please use my links!