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Entrepreneurial goals are solely far-fetched till they arrive true. This proved true for Assume Greek, a family-owned Greek restaurant in Port St. Lucie, Florida, that began as a meals truck and has since received “Greatest Chunk” on Meals Community’s Greatest Chunk in City. Basic supervisor Rosanne Leo attributes the restaurant’s success to specializing in offering genuine Greek recipes and a particular Greek fusion menu.
“We’re first-generation Greek People, so we knew after we began the meals truck in 2014 that’s what we wished to do,” she says. “However we did not wish to [just] do common Greek meals. We wished to include a fusion menu, arising with completely different objects that individuals have not heard of earlier than.”
When South Seashore Wine & Meals Pageant requested Assume Greek to take part in 2020, the crew instantly knew their authentic fusion menu merchandise, Gyropitakia (Greek wontons), can be a success. Their hunch was right, and so they received the title of “Greatest Chunk on the Seashore.” Take heed to the episode beneath to listen to straight from Leo.
“It was simply an unimaginable feeling as a result of that is one thing that we got here up with,” Leo says. “It wasn’t anyone else’s recipe. It was [us] brainstorming someday on the meals truck.”
The next yr, Assume Greek returned and received once more, serving to it solidify its repute for tastiness and consistency.
Earlier this yr, Assume Greek participated in one other cooking present, however the stakes have been even larger this time. Meals Community contacted Leo to be on the primary season of Greatest Chunk in City, a spin-off of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives with superstar chef Man Fieri.
“This was our dream to be on Meals Community, however extra particularly, we wished to be on Triple D… I used to be so excited,” Leo shared.
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The present’s premise concerned Fieri sending three individuals to a city to attempt two dishes from six completely different native eating places, in the end selecting one “Greatest Chunk” in that city. The dishes have been judged based mostly on functionality, presentation and style. Assume Greek received “Greatest Chunk” of Port St. Lucie after which went on to win “Greatest Chunk in City” in the course of the present’s finale with its Gyropitakia.
The judges defined that they’d by no means eaten something like Gyropitakia earlier than, resulting in Assume Greek’s win. The dish’s novelty and creativity set the native restaurant aside, an enormous testomony to the family-owned enterprise’s efforts.
“That actually made us really feel all of the onerous work, power, brainstorming and every little thing is working and is paying off,” Leo says. “Typically, as a family-owned enterprise and as a mom-and-pop, you get missed slightly bit, and it is disheartening. However to listen to that our efforts will not be being ignored actually does give us that power to maintain working.”
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With new consideration from the TV present and elevated media visibility got here many feedback from prospects and viewers. Leo says that scrolling social media to see the newest suggestions generally turns into overwhelming. She determined to take it day-to-day and maintain house for each constructive and crucial opinions.
“You may’t please all people, and that is okay. Some feedback are lower than good, and that is superb,” Leo says. “Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. All I do know is that we’re attempting our greatest, and we’re placing out the meals the best way we put out our meals.”
Leo’s willingness to take dangers and seize massive alternatives, resembling being featured on a TV present, has elevated Assume Greek’s model. Over time, her persistence helped set up the restaurant’s constructive repute.
Her recommendation for enterprise homeowners searching for this type of success is to remain according to their inventive efforts and values and use social media to interact their audiences and uncover suggestions for enhancing operations. She additionally encourages enterprise homeowners to consider in themselves and what they will obtain.
”Typically I am similar to, wow, I am unable to consider it,” she says. “However individuals ought to by no means say by no means. Something is feasible. Some days, you wish to quit, however hold going as a result of that is your child. That is your dream. That is your alternative to indicate what you are fabricated from.”
For over a decade, Assume Greek has stood by these easy — however essential — instruments for achievement:
- Seize alternatives as they arrive. Attending native festivals and competitions can result in gaining extra visibility, which might snowball into bigger alternatives sooner or later. Being open to attempting new issues can springboard your small business into recent and thrilling arenas.
- Embrace innovation to set your self aside. Innovating your services or products can distinguish a enterprise and appeal to prospects searching for novel experiences. Creating your individual area of interest may also help prospects select you over opponents.
- Worth suggestions, however do not let negativity deter you. Receiving criticism will be difficult and requires resilience. Recognizing it is inconceivable to please everybody lets you concentrate on giving your finest effort to the issues you realize you are able to do effectively and even enhance.
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Editorial contributions by Angela Lee and Kristi Lindahl
This text is a part of our ongoing America’s Favourite Mother & Pop Retailers™ collection highlighting family-owned and operated companies.