Rodrigo Souza is Chef/Owner of Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse and Virtual Kitchen Hall. Originally, Rodrigo is from Brazil. When Rodrigo was in his late teens, his mother was worried that he'd get involved with the wrong crowd. To avoid this she shipped him up to Massachusettes. Upon his arrival, Rodrigo got straight to working in the restaurant industry before joining the US Military. After his service, Rodrigo was approach with the opportunity to be someone's exit strategy and to take over a turn key operation. With this, in 2009, Comeketo was born. Comekito has since relocated, going from a small counter service restaurant to a much larger, full service restaurant in Leominster, MA.

Check out RestaurantSystemsPro as mentioned in today's episode.

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Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, don't sit at home and think about it. Go out there and get busy."

In this episode with Rodrigo Souza we will discuss:

• Text communication in the workplace
• Immigrating to the US from Brazil
• Learning English while working as a server in the US
• Fundraising to buy an existing business
• When your business partner walks out on the first day
• Early-on DIY Facebook marketing
• Creating a business plan
• How to educate your community and guests about your particular cuisine
• Getting a second location
• Virtual kitchens
• Ghost kitchens
• How to hype a restaurant grand opening

Today's sponsor:

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Persistence
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Believing in people more than they believe in themselves
3. What's one thing you ask or look for when interviewing/growing your team?
   • Ask for three things they are good at and others say they are good at
   • Ask for three areas of opportunity
   • Stress the importance of good people behind the product
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.
   • Selfless servers, help people without thinking you're going to get a big tip
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Integrity, do the right thing even when you're not being watched
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman
   • Profit First: Transform Your Business From A Cash-Eating Monster To A Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM
8. Name one service you've hired.
   • Accounting - Spinelli CPA
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your restaurant walls and how has it influence operations?
   • RestaurantSystemsPro
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?
    • Integrity
    • Hard work
    • Aim to be a little bit better every day

Contact info:

Instagram: @comeketo_brizilian_steakhouse

Facebook: @Comeketo

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Rodrigo Souza for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

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