Everyone loves a packed house on fight night. The energy, the crowd, the sales. But for Shawn Walchef, owner of Cali BBQ, one of those early nights nearly cost him everything. “We were young, hungry, and broke,” Shawn said. “And we made a choice we thought was smart business—but it almost shut us down.” The […]

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered to reflect on the power of hospitality through the lens of Mother’s Day. From honoring the women who raised us to reimagining family-friendly experiences in restaurants, the conversation highlighted how thoughtful details—like personalized kids’ menus, surprise gifts for working moms, or simply easing the […]

At a lively Rising Tides happy hour during the Bar and Restaurant Show in Las Vegas, Jim Taylor found himself explaining labor costs to some incredible kids. But for Jim, that’s nothing unusual. Whether he’s helping restaurant owners tackle complex financial issues or guiding kids through the economics of a lemonade stand, his goal is […]

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered ahead of the 2025 National Restaurant Show to share insights, connections, and strategies for making the most of the industry’s biggest event. From first-timers to seasoned veterans, voices across the hospitality space offered practical tips—like walking the floor with intention, leading with curiosity, […]

Dynamic pricing isn’t new. Restaurants have used it for decades—Happy Hour, early bird specials, breakfast discounts. But as Shawn Walchef, owner of Cali BBQ, explained, using tech to automate those changes is what turns heads today. “Every restaurant has been doing dynamic pricing,” Shawn said. “The only difference now is we’re using tools to do […]

In this session of Rising Tides Live, with Richard Liverman and Mike Bisceglia filling in for host Shawn Walchef, the community came together to explore the powerful parallels between sports, showbiz, and business leadership. From football clubs rebuilding their culture to athletes transitioning into entrepreneurship, the discussion highlighted how teams thrive through trust, coaching, and […]

J Goldin isn’t your typical tech guy. As Systems Director at Riot Hospitality Group, he plays a key role in how the company delivers memorable experiences across a growing portfolio of nightlife venues. Behind the scenes, Goldin is focused on one thing: making sure the systems run smoothly and the details are handled. “If it […]

In this session of Rising Tides Live, hosted by Shawn Walchef, the community gathered to explore how businesses can give back through authentic community service, even with limited time or resources. From hosting BBQ festivals to mentoring neurodivergent entrepreneurs or partnering with local schools, participants showed that impact starts with individual action. The conversation highlighted why giving […]

In this episode of Digital Hospitality, host Shawn Walchef and his mentor David Meltzer discuss how they’re transforming this year’s National Restaurant Association Show (NRA) into a powerful platform for business growth. Their partnership is rooted in Stage Theory—the belief that events are not just for networking but for capturing and amplifying stories that drive […]

In this episode of Rising Tides Live, the conversation focuses on how restaurant operators can better manage their teams and labor costs in today’s challenging environment. Guest Jordan Boesch, CEO of 7shifts, joins host Shawn Walchef and the Rising Tides community to explore key lessons from The Restaurant Labor Playbook, a new guide created to […]