52 : Turning Struggles into Success with Beth Hussey and Emmele Herrold of Hazel's

Restaurant Leadership Podcast: Overcome Burnout, Embrace Freedom, and Drive Growth

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This is how you turn a struggling restaurant into a bustling hotspot.
In our latest episode, we sit down with Beth Hussey and Emmele Herrold, the masterminds behind Hazel's Restaurant in Birmingham, Michigan. They walk us through their revolutionary strategies, from the game-changing Hazel's Lobster Pound takeover that quadrupled their sales to their innovative approach to fostering a healthy work-life balance for their staff. Beth and Emmele’s journey from hands-on owners to empowering leaders is packed with invaluable insights that could redefine how you think about restaurant management.
Chapters:
00:00:08 - Restaurant Owners Share Success Strategies

00:04:12 - Evolving Neighborhood Joint Concept

00:11:10 - Revamping Menu With Lobster Takeover

00:20:05 -Transforming Restaurant With Creative Takeovers

00:29:14 - Striving for Work-Life Balance in Restaurants

00:37:40 - Developing Strong Team Dynamics

00:41:52 - Fostering Employee Trust and Engagement

00:51:13 - Entrepreneurial Journey in Restaurant Industry

Join us as we reminisce about the early days of Hazel, Ravines, and Downtown, where Beth and Emmele's ambition to create a community-centric dining spot faced unexpected challenges. Learn how something as simple as geotagging influenced their restaurant’s name and how they navigated complex public perceptions to build a diverse and appealing menu. This episode is a treasure trove of practical advice, including how a special lobster dinner helped them overcome seasonal sales slumps and attract a broader customer base.
But it’s not all about food and sales; Beth and Emmele also share their revolutionary approach to employee welfare. Listen to their pioneering strategies like implementing a 40-45 hour work week for managers and the creation of Shifty, a mobile training application designed to streamline restaurant operations. By prioritizing their team’s well-being, they’ve fostered a thriving company culture that leads to better performance and higher retention. Whether you're a seasoned restaurant owner or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers a masterclass in balancing profitability with a positive work environment.
Resources:
Hazel's
Shifty
Christin Marvin

More from Christin:
Grab your free copy of my audiobook, The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary at christinmarvin.com/audio

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Luvut

1. 52 : Turning Struggles into Success with Beth Hussey and Emmele Herrold of Hazel's (00:00:00)

2. Restaurant Owners Share Success Strategies (00:00:08)

3. Evolving Neighborhood Joint Concept (00:04:12)

4. Revamping Menu With Lobster Takeover (00:11:10)

5. Transforming Restaurant With Creative Takeovers (00:20:05)

6. Striving for Work-Life Balance in Restaurants (00:29:14)

7. Developing Strong Team Dynamics (00:37:40)

8. Fostering Employee Trust and Engagement (00:41:52)

9. Entrepreneurial Journey in Restaurant Industry (00:51:13)