In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with Lauren Bailey, the cofounder and CEO of Upward Projects, an Arizona based restaurant group best known for its cornerstone concept, Postino Wine Café. Lauren joins for a conversation about the highs and lows of her expansion journey, why building a restaurant concept is a lot like being in a band, and what emerging restaurant leaders should and should not do on their own paths toward expansion. 

In this conversation, you’ll find out why:

• Running a restaurant is both an art and a science
• Your first big challenge as an emerging restaurateur is learning that you can’t be everywhere at every time
• Forced creativity is vital to the life of an emerging brand leader
• If you want to maintain that creativity, you have to be intentional about it
• Think about raising capital when you don’t need money
• Know what you want to accomplish with your concept — and whether you can do what it takes to get there
• Don’t waste the gift that is your younger years

Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at [email protected].