Made Locally

Before Josh Zolin became CEO of Windy City Equipment, he was working as a stuntman in Hollywood. But after realizing the film industry wasn’t the right long-term fit, he moved to Arizona and entered a very different world: repairing commercial restaurant equipment. He spent a decade in the field, working alongside technicians and helping restaurants get back up and running when critical equipment failed.


Josh grew Windy City Equipment from a small operation with his father into a multi-branch business operating across two states. The company has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies three times. 


So, in this episode of Made Locally, host Rahul Jaswa and Josh explore what it really takes to build and scale a blue-collar service business. Josh explains why buying a business requires far more due diligence than social media success stories suggest, and why outside investors can struggle when they understand the numbers but overlook a company’s people and culture. He also shares how business owners can recognize when they’ve reached their own capacity, bring in people with expertise they lack, and develop a leadership style that balances candor with compassion.


Josh also discusses how to approach marketing without relying on steep discounts, why effective sales starts with genuine curiosity, and why entrepreneurs need to get clear on what they actually want before deciding how to achieve it. His advice to his younger self sums up his approach: don’t wait for permission.


What You'll Learn:

• How Josh’s unexpected journey from Hollywood stunt work to restaurant equipment repair shaped his approach to business
• What entrepreneurs often overlook when buying an existing business or evaluating a private equity deal
• How to recognize when you’ve reached your capacity and it’s time to bring in additional people
• How to balance candor and compassion when leading a team and handling difficult conversations
• Why the right growth strategy depends on your goals, priorities, and the trade-offs you’re willing to make
• How to market a service business without relying on discounts that undermine profitability
  
  

Josh Zolin is the CEO of Windy City Equipment, a commercial foodservice equipment service company that repairs cooking, HVAC, and refrigeration equipment. After starting his career as a Hollywood stuntman, Josh moved to Arizona and spent ten years working in the field as a technician before stepping into leadership. Under his leadership, Windy City Equipment has grown into a multi-branch business operating across two states and has earned a place on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing companies three times.


Josh is also the author of Blue Is the New White, a book highlighting the opportunities and value of careers in the skilled trades. He founded the Blue Is the New White Academy to help blue-collar professionals develop the leadership, communication, and business skills needed to grow.


If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.



Episode Resources:

• Josh Zolin on LinkedIn
• Windy City Equipment (WCE, Inc) Website

Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection
  
  

Sometimes, the best business idea isn’t about building something new. It’s about seeing the value in what everyone else is ready to throw away. For Ty McBride, founder of Preservan Wood Care & Repair, that idea became the foundation for a home service business built around repairing rotting wood instead of replacing it.


In this episode of Made Locally, host Rahul Jaswa talks with Ty about growing up in his family’s construction business, discovering his entrepreneurial purpose, and finding a niche that could make a meaningful difference. Ty initially explored historic home renovations, but soon noticed that homeowners in historic neighborhoods were asking for something more specific: help restoring their old wood windows and doors. With limited capital and few local competitors, he saw an opportunity to specialize. In 2016, he launched Wood Window Rescue, building demand through local advertising, door hangers, and community involvement. The business brought in more than half a million dollars in its first year, but that early success also introduced new challenges.


As opportunities grew, Ty began asking a different question: how could he create a simpler, more repeatable home service model? The answer was to focus on the wood repair process itself, document how the work was done, and build systems that others could follow.


That shift led to the launch of Preservan, a brand designed to go beyond historic windows and repair rotting wood across a wider range of residential applications. Ty and his team spent time refining their processes, testing the model, and documenting the details before moving into franchising. The goal was to create a service that could be delivered consistently in different markets, without depending on a handful of highly experienced specialists to do everything.


Ty’s journey is a reminder that a successful local business often starts with a specific problem, grows through relationships and learning, and becomes scalable only when the right systems are in place.


What You'll Learn:

• How a moment connected to Ty’s family legacy inspired him to preserve existing homes rather than focus on building new ones
• How listening to homeowners helped Ty discover an underserved niche in historic wood window and door restoration
• Why specializing in a narrow service can create an opportunity when larger, broader businesses overlook it
• Why rapid growth can strain a business when hiring, cash flow, and operating systems haven’t kept pace
• How Ty simplified the business model and developed repeatable processes that became the foundation for Preservan
• Why documenting the work and finding the right experts matter when preparing a business to franchise
• What entrepreneurs should understand about the financial and personal responsibilities of franchising
• Why building a successful home service business requires a genuine commitment to local visibility, relationships, and community involvement
  
  

Ty McBride is the Founder of Preservan® Wood Care & Repair, a home service brand specializing in repairing rotting and deteriorating wood. Raised in a family involved in home building and construction, Ty spent years working across the industry before discovering a different opportunity: helping homeowners preserve existing wood features instead of replacing them.


In 2016, he launched Wood Window Rescue, initially focusing on historic wood windows and doors. As he refined the company’s repair methods and developed more repeatable systems, Ty expanded the concept into Preservan, a mobile wood care and repair business designed to serve a broader range of homes. The company uses a proprietary resin repair system to restore damaged wood, offering homeowners an alternative to replacement.


Ty began developing Preservan’s franchise model in 2022, with the aim of helping entrepreneurs bring the service to new markets. 


If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.



Episode Resources:

• Ty McBride on LinkedIn
• Preservan® Wood Care & Repair Website

Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection
  
  

Sometimes the business you're meant to build starts with an idea you never expected. And that's exactly what happened with Jean Marie Ford, founder and CEO of Vanity Fur Mobile Pet Salons. In this episode of Made Locally, host Rahul Jaswa sits down with Jean to explore how she went from managing restaurants and comedy clubs to building a mobile pet grooming business that's now expanding through franchising.


Here’s the origin story: after years in hospitality, Jean realized she wanted to own something of her own. So, while ruminating during her previous job as a bartender, she began watching dogs in her backyard and handing out business cards. A chance introduction to a mobile pet groomer changed everything. Jean went to grooming school, bought her first truck and trailer, and launched Vanity Fur in 2010.


But Jean wasn't content with simply offering grooming services. After working inside the vans herself, she saw how much the industry could improve. Traditional mobile setups weren't designed for larger, senior dogs or the comfort of groomers. Through seven layouts and five builders, she developed Vanity Fur's own van design, with features focused on safety, comfort, and practical care. From ramps and electric tables to noise-reducing Happy Hoodies, cameras, and one-on-one grooming, every detail serves a purpose.


Ultimately, Jean's story is about following your gut, staying the course, and being willing to learn as you go. She shares why entrepreneurship is rarely an easy ride, how recurring customers can create predictability in a service business, and why building a franchise is about giving others the opportunity to create something of their own.


What You'll Learn:

• How Jean went from hospitality management to launching a mobile pet grooming business
• How seven van layouts and five builders helped Jean develop a grooming setup focused on pet and groomer comfort
• Why one-on-one care, thoughtful handling, and the right groomers are central to Vanity Fur's approach
• How word of mouth helped build a loyal customer base before digital marketing became a priority
• Why recurring appointments and long-term customer relationships create predictability in a service business
• How Jean transitioned from running five grooming vehicles to building a franchise brand
• What aspiring franchise owners gain from established systems, training, and marketing resources
• Why following your gut and staying the course matter when building a business
  
  

Jean Marie Ford is the Founder and CEO of Vanity Fur Mobile Pet Salons, a mobile pet grooming company focused on providing safe, comfortable, and compassionate care for dogs and cats. Based in Southern California, Jean launched Vanity Fur in 2010 after a career in hospitality, where she managed major restaurant concepts and comedy clubs.


What began with a truck and trailer has grown into a franchise brand bringing fully equipped, climate-controlled grooming vans directly to customers' homes. Jean has spent more than 16 years refining the company's grooming standards, training programs, and proprietary van layouts to improve the experience for both pets and groomers.



If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection
  
  

A simple idea can go a long way when you execute it exceptionally well. And that’s exactly what host Rahul Jaswa learned in this episode of Made Locally, where he sat down with Joshua Tuggle Miller, owner of Ike’s Vending, to explore how he turned a single used vending machine into a growing local operation built around reliability, service, and family values.


Josh's journey began as a cash-strapped college student, when he started helping a friend service vending routes for extra income. This experience introduced him to the realities of running a service business and taught him the importance of showing up, maintaining equipment, and taking pride in doing the small things well.


That early experience eventually led to a defining moment in 2011, when Josh's father, Isiah “Ike,” gave him $2,500 to purchase his first vending machine. What started as a modest investment became the foundation for Ike’s Vending, a business named in honour of his father and built around the values of family, honest work, convenience, and dependable service.


So, this conversation explores what it takes to grow a local business without losing the qualities that made customers trust you in the first place. Josh shares lessons from expanding beyond that first machine, developing relationships with locations, maintaining equipment, and building a reputation through consistency rather than shortcuts.


Ultimately, this episode is about the power of starting small, earning trust one customer at a time, and building a business with the patience and discipline to last.


What You'll Learn:

• How a single vending machine can become the foundation for a sustainable business
• Why reliability and consistency are powerful competitive advantages in local service businesses
• How early hands-on experience can shape an entrepreneur's approach to customer service
• Why taking pride in the small details can create long-term customer relationships
• How family values can influence the way a business is built and operated
• The importance of maintaining strong relationships with business partners and locations
• Why sustainable growth doesn't always require a complicated business model
• How entrepreneurs can build a reputation through dependable service and follow-through
• Why starting with limited resources can teach lessons that continue to shape a business as it grows
  
  

Joshua Tuggle Miller is the owner of Ike’s Vending, a Los Angeles County vending operation built around family values, reliable service, and long-term customer relationships. What began with a $2,500 investment from his late father, Isiah “Ike,” in 2011 has grown from a single used vending machine into a trusted local business serving locations across the region. With a background in sales, account management, coaching, and B2B customer service, Josh brings a practical, relationship-driven approach to entrepreneurship. Today, he continues to grow Ike’s Vending while working to build a family legacy grounded in honest work, consistency, and service.


If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.



Episode Resources:

• Joshua Tuggle-Miller on LinkedIn
• Ike's Vending Website

Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection
  
  

What if building a great local business starts with caring deeply about the community you're building it in? In this episode of Made Locally, host Rahul Jaswa sits down with Andrew Anstrom, co-founder and owner of Tree Amigos, to explore how he turned his passion for arboriculture and the environment into an Austin-based tree care company built around expertise, trust, and meaningful relationships.


Andrew shares the story behind Tree Amigos and its commitment to providing science-based recommendations tailored to the needs of homeowners and landowners. Rather than treating tree care as simply a transactional service, he explains how the company approaches every project with a focus on long-term tree health, customer goals, and responsible stewardship of the environment.


This conversation explores what it means to build a small business in a highly local industry, from earning customer trust and delivering consistent service to creating a reputation that can grow through community relationships. Andrew also discusses why being genuinely invested in the place where you operate can become an important part of a company's identity and differentiation.


Ultimately, this episode is about building locally with intention - combining expertise, customer service, environmental responsibility, and community connection to create a business designed to grow alongside the people it serves.


What You'll Learn:

• Why trust and expertise are critical to building a successful local service business
• How science-based recommendations can differentiate a company in a crowded market
• Why customer experience matters as much in essential services as it does in hospitality or retail
• How environmental responsibility can become part of a company's brand identity
• The role of community involvement in building a lasting local reputation
• Why small businesses can compete by offering personalized, expert service
• How to balance business growth with a commitment to quality and customer relationships
• Why having a clear sense of purpose can strengthen a local company's long-term vision
• How entrepreneurs can build businesses that contribute positively to the communities they call home
  
  

Andrew Anstrom is the co-founder and owner of Tree Amigos LLC, an Austin-based tree care company committed to providing expert, science-based recommendations for homeowners and landowners. A lifelong Austin resident and passionate advocate for trees and environmental stewardship, Andrew has built Tree Amigos around dependable service, personalized care, and a commitment to helping create a greener community. Beyond arboriculture, he is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and adventure, including summiting Mount Kilimanjaro. 


If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.

Episode Resources:

• Andrew Anstrom on LinkedIn
• Tree Amigos Website

Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection
  
  

What if the biggest threat to a successful business is when it becomes too dependent on its founder? In this episode of Made Locally, host Rahul Jaswa sits down with Chaz Vittitow, founder of The Local Dentist and The Dental Jumpstart, to explore what it really takes to build a practice that can grow beyond the person at the center of it.


Chaz shares how he built momentum from the very beginning, growing from just two chairs to a fully booked seven-operatory practice through reputation, word of mouth, and a strong focus on creating an exceptional patient experience. Rather than relying on traditional marketing alone, he explains how relationships and delivering consistently for patients helped create the kind of local reputation that compounds over time.


The conversation then moves beyond growth into one of the biggest challenges for founder-led businesses: letting go. Chaz explains why finding and developing the right people is essential to implementing a business playbook, and why keeping people who aren't aligned with the vision can quietly hold an organization back.


Ultimately, this episode is about understanding that the right people, culture, and leadership systems are what really allow a successful company to keep growing.


What You'll Learn:

• Why a business shouldn't depend entirely on its founder
• How Chaz built early momentum through reputation and word of mouth
• Why patient experience can become one of your strongest marketing channels
• Why finding the right people matters as much as having the right playbook
• The leadership challenge of hiring, developing, and letting go of employees
• How to build a brand that customers trust beyond the personality of the founder
• Why sustainable growth requires people who can implement the vision
• How entrepreneurial success changes when you shift from doing everything yourself to leading others
• The difference between creating a successful practice and creating a business that can last
  
  

Dr. Charles “Chaz” Vittitow is a dentist, entrepreneur, speaker, and coach, and the founder of The Local Dentist in Bellingham, Washington, and The Dental Jumpstart, where he helps dentists build more profitable, sustainable practices with greater freedom and less dependence on traditional insurance models. A former U.S. Navy Dental Corps officer, Chaz combines hands-on practice experience with a practical, no-nonsense approach to leadership, business growth, and lifestyle design.


If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.

Episode Resources:

• Chaz Vittitow on LinkedIn
• The Dental Jumpstart LinkedIn
• The Local Dentist Website

Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection
  
  

What if the strongest brands are built one thoughtful decision at a time rather than one viral moment at a time? In this episode of Made Locally, host Rahul Jaswa sits down with Brandon McCraney, founder, master blender, and owner of Olde Raleigh Distillery, to explore what it really takes to build a premium craft whiskey brand from the ground up.


Drawing on his unique journey from serving as a U.S. Air Force Captain to becoming a certified whiskey sommelier and master blender, Brandon explains why whiskey is equal parts science, patience, and storytelling. Rather than focusing on mass production, he shares how Olde Raleigh's philosophy revolves around carefully selecting, aging, and blending each barrel to create distinctive spirits that reflect both craftsmanship and intention.


This conversation explores the realities of building a premium product in a crowded market, from educating consumers and creating memorable tasting experiences to developing partnerships with local businesses that strengthen both the brand and the surrounding community. 


Ultimately, this episode is about playing the long game - building trust, investing in quality, and creating a business that leaves a lasting impact far beyond the product itself.


What You'll Learn:

• Why patience is one of the greatest competitive advantages when building a premium product
• How blending, barrel selection, and aging influence the final character of whiskey
• Why craftsmanship and consistency matter more than rapid growth
• How storytelling transforms products into memorable brands
• The importance of educating customers to create long-term brand loyalty
• How local partnerships strengthen both businesses and communities
• Why creating premium experiences helps differentiate craft brands
• The role of experimentation and continuous learning in mastering a craft
• How purpose-driven businesses create value beyond the products they sell
• Why thinking long-term leads to stronger brands and more sustainable growth
  
  

Brandon McCraney is the founder, owner, and master blender of Olde Raleigh Distillery, where he combines craftsmanship, science, and storytelling to create award-winning small-batch whiskey. Through an intensive blending and barrel-aging process known as élevage, Brandon hand-selects each barrel to produce distinctive spirits while pursuing his ambitious goal of releasing 1,000 unique whiskey blends from around the world.


Before entering the spirits industry, Brandon served as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and later earned master's degrees from both the University of Cincinnati and Harvard University. Today, he is a Certified Executive Bourbon Steward, Whiskey Sommelier, educator at the Whiskey Marketing School, and an active member of several leading distilling organizations. Beyond crafting exceptional whiskey, Brandon is passionate about supporting local businesses, strengthening his North Carolina community, and building a legacy brand that creates lasting economic and cultural impact.


If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.

Episode Resources:

• Brandon McCraney on LinkedIn
• Olde Raleigh Distillery Website

Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection
  
  

What if growing your business had less to do with working harder and more to do with knowing when to step aside? In this episode of Made Locally, host Rahul Jaswa sits down with Robin Cabrini, founder and curator of Savory Girl Idaho, to explore how she built a thriving catering business by combining creativity, authentic community relationships, and intentional delegation.


Robin shares her unconventional entrepreneurial journey, from hosting dinner parties for friends to operating a full-service catering company capable of serving multiple large-scale events every day. Rather than relying solely on a traditional business plan, she focused on consistently showing up in her local community through social media, networking groups, venue partnerships, and exceptional customer service.


This discussion explores the realities of running a service business, including managing capacity, protecting quality, creating memorable customer experiences, and building a reputation that generates repeat business and referrals. Robin also offers practical advice on using social media authentically, creating strategic local partnerships, and continuously looking for new opportunities within your community.


What You'll Learn:

• Why delegation is one of the highest-return investments you can make as a business owner
• How authentic social media builds trust and attracts long-term customers
• Why networking and community involvement outperform relying on a single marketing channel
• How local partnerships can become a consistent source of referrals and new business
• The importance of protecting quality by managing operational capacity
• How assigning roles based on individual team strengths improves consistency
• Why customer experience is the foundation of long-term reputation and five-star reviews
• Why entrepreneurs should actively look for opportunities instead of waiting for them
• How strong operational systems allow creative businesses to scale sustainably
  
  

Robin Cabrini is the founder and curator of Savory Girl Idaho, a rapidly growing catering and grazing-table company known for transforming food into memorable experiences. What began as a passion for creating beautiful charcuterie boards has evolved into a full-service catering business serving everything from intimate gatherings to large-scale events throughout Idaho.


With a background in marketing and a natural talent for community building, Robin has grown Savory Girl Idaho through authentic storytelling, local partnerships, and an unwavering commitment to customer experience. Today, the business maintains more than 320 five-star reviews while serving multiple events each day with a dedicated team focused on quality, creativity, and hospitality.


If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.

Episode Resources:

• Robin Cabrini on LinkedIn
• Savory Girl Idaho Website

Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection
  
  

What if the key to building a resilient business isn't sticking to your original plan, but knowing when to reinvent it? In this episode of Made Locally, host Rahul Jaswa sits down with Maiko Kyogoku, founder of Bessou, to explore how she transformed a single Japanese restaurant into a diversified food brand by staying committed to her mission while continuously adapting her business model.


Growing up as the daughter of Japanese immigrants in New York, Maiko always believed food had the power to create belonging. That philosophy became the foundation of Bessou, originally launched as a neighborhood restaurant serving comforting Japanese home cooking. But as customer behavior, locations, and market conditions changed, Maiko realized that serving her mission sometimes meant changing the format rather than protecting the original concept.


Throughout the conversation, Maiko shares the real challenges behind building a hospitality business, from navigating the uncertainty of seasonal locations and difficult landlord negotiations to recognizing when a business model no longer fits its environment. She explains how experimentation led to unexpected opportunities, including launching packaged popcorn products, expanding into national retail, and opening licensed locations in major transportation hubs like JFK Airport.


This episode offers valuable lessons for any entrepreneur navigating growth, change, or uncertainty, proving that resilience comes from staying true to your mission while remaining flexible in how you deliver it.


What You'll Learn:

• How to recognize when your business model needs to evolve without abandoning your mission
• How seasonal businesses can diversify revenue through new products and channels
• The importance of adapting your concept to fit the location instead of forcing the same model everywhere
• Why documenting processes becomes essential as you scale
• How to evaluate partnerships and commercial real estate decisions strategically
• The role experimentation plays in discovering new revenue streams
• Why strong brand identity matters more than sticking to one business format
• How to scale through licensing without taking on the operational burden of every location
• The importance of resilience, adaptability, and long-term thinking in entrepreneurship
• How mission-driven businesses can grow across multiple channels while maintaining authenticity
  
  

Maiko Kyogoku is the founder of Bessou, a Japanese food brand built around the belief that authentic home-style Japanese cooking can create comfort, connection, and a sense of belonging wherever people are. What began in 2016 as a neighborhood restaurant in Downtown Manhattan has since evolved into a multi-channel brand that includes a fast-casual concept at Pier 57, an upcoming location at JFK Terminal 4, and a growing line of packaged pantry goods and snacks sold in retailers across the United States.


Raised in New York by Japanese immigrant parents, Maiko developed a deep appreciation for the role food plays in preserving culture while bringing people together across different backgrounds. Before founding Bessou, she built her experience across hospitality, luxury, and creative industries, working with Thompson Hotels, renowned contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, and Chef Daniel Boulud's acclaimed restaurant group. Today, she combines that diverse background with operational discipline and thoughtful brand building to create food businesses that evolve with changing markets while remaining grounded in their original purpose.


If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.



Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection
  
  

What if the secret to building a successful restaurant isn't culinary talent, but operational discipline? In this episode of Made Locally, host Rahul Jaswa sits down with Ryan Pernice, founder of R.O. Hospitality and owner-operator of Table & Main and Osteria Mattone, to unpack what it really takes to build restaurant businesses that thrive for decades rather than burn brightly and disappear.


Drawing on years of experience operating multiple acclaimed restaurants, Ryan explains why so many hospitality businesses struggle despite serving great food and generating strong customer demand. The difference, he argues, comes down to systems: inventory processes, food-cost controls, staffing structures, operating procedures, and leadership habits that quietly determine whether a restaurant can survive economic cycles, labor challenges, and shifting consumer preferences.


The conversation explores how operators should approach technology investments, why many restaurants adopt tools before they're ready to use them effectively, and how to evaluate whether a platform is solving a real problem or simply adding complexity.


Beyond operations, Ryan discusses the realities of modern restaurant marketing, why authenticity often outperforms polished campaigns, and how restaurants can use social media effectively without outsourcing their voice. Most importantly, he explains why longevity, not virality, should be the goal. The restaurants that endure aren't necessarily the trendiest or most talked about. They're the ones that consistently deliver great experiences year after year.


This episode offers a practical blueprint for building a hospitality business designed to last.


What You'll Learn:

• Why operational systems matter more than great food when building a sustainable restaurant
• The foundational processes every restaurant owner should master before scaling
• How to evaluate technology investments and avoid unnecessary software expenses
• Why your reservation platform is often your most important technology decision
• How to scale from one location to multiple locations without losing control
• Why trust and proximity matter when building leadership teams
• The role landlords and strategic partners play in long-term success
• How to use social media effectively without relying on expensive agencies or PR firms
• Why authentic content often outperforms highly produced marketing
• The importance of food costing, inventory management, and kitchen systems
• Why consistency beats chasing trends and viral attention
• The mindset required to build a hospitality brand that remains relevant for decades
  
  

Ryan Pernice is the founder of R.O. Hospitality and owner-operator of Table & Main and Osteria Mattone, two acclaimed restaurants in Roswell, Georgia. Throughout his career, Ryan has focused on building hospitality businesses that combine exceptional guest experiences with disciplined operational systems, long-term financial sustainability, and meaningful community impact.


As a restaurateur, he is deeply involved in every aspect of his businesses, from financial forecasting and kitchen design to team development, service standards, culinary direction, and brand strategy. Through R.O. Hospitality, Ryan also works alongside fellow restaurant operators to strengthen the foundational systems that support growth, including revenue forecasting, organizational structure, operational workflows, and hospitality execution.


If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts. Instructions on how to do so are here.

Episode Resources:

• Ryan Pernice on LinkedIn
• R.O. Hospitality Website
• Osteria Mattone Website
• Table & Main Website

Made Locally is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so 
Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Why Your Ads Aren’t the Problem - Your Follow-Up Is
• From Fully Booked to Fully Independent: The Real Economics of Solo Beauty Businesses
• Tea, Ritual, and Reinvention: Building a Lifestyle Brand Rooted in Healing and Connection