Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jeff Drew, managing partner of Snake River Grill, located in Jackson, Wyoming.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Snake River Grill is a 28 year old landmark restaurant located on the town square in Jackson Hole, WY. Our customers are everyone! - From long-time locals, to celebrities to first time visitors of Yellowstone and Jackson Hole Ski Resort.
Tell us about yourself
After being a chef in Santa Fe, N.M. at The Coyote Cafe, I moved to Jackson, looking to run a restaurant in another beautiful small mountain town. After all these years, we are still known as the best restaurant and more importantly, the best restaurant to work at. I am motivated every day by consistency. It's not a sexy word, but in reality it is truly what makes a restaurant great. When you have guests returning year after year, often bringing new friends to introduce them to your restaurant there are not just expectations, but a lot of emotions tied to their experiences. Despite all of the variables that constantly change and challenge you in running a restaurant your guests should never notice the difference - unless you've made it Better!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Keeping our restaurant open during 2 years of COVID and all of our staff continuously employed, even while being forced to temporarily close.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Owning a restaurant is completely a hands-on business. Every Day. You must know how to do everyone's job and be willing to help or completely fill in at a moment's notice.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
-Sincerely question your motivation before starting a business and be honest with yourself about what will provide fulfillment.
- Dale Carnegie said it best; Learn from other people's mistakes. Especially those in the business model that you are interested in pursuing.
- Develop sincere relationships with some of your customers. This will allow you to ask for their honest feedback on how your business is doing and what their friends are saying about you, That type of feedback is priceless.
Where can people find you and your business?
https://www.snakerivergrill.com
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.