615: Seven Chan on Taking a Step Forward

Growing up in New York, Seven Chan is a lifetime entrepreneur with over 17 years of experience building and running successful companies. His specialties include business strategy, development, press, and marketing. In 2016, he met business partner, Ken Yu, and one month later they were in business under the Poke Burri Brand. 2.5 years later they've scaled the business to 2 locations with an additional 12 locations expected to open in 2019.

Show notes…

Favorite success quote or mantra:

"Take a step forward on the business every day."

In this episode with Seven Chan, we discuss:

• Meeting mentors early in life
• Anyone can be a business person
• Lead by example
• Thinking bigger/anything is possible
• Becoming a millionaire at 18
• Using what you know and who you are to be successful
• Being business-savy
• Marketing
• Niche marketing
• The importance of not following rules
• Create your own vertical
• Finding a business partner
• Creating win-win deals for yourself
• Make being the best at what you do your goal
• Food court model
• Becoming an ally with bloggers and local media elites in your area
• Unique marketing
• Secret menus
• Franchising
• Scaling
• Fast-casual sushi-is it a trend?

Today's sponsor:

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Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Be different
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Trying to take on too many things at once
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • "I need you to believe in us"
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • "Trying to find good people to add to my team." Trial and error.
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Be the best. It applies to everything.
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • If you are unhappy for any reason I will give you a free meal.
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   •  Level Up Your Life
   • GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM 
8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough?
   • Don't focus on the business side. Be different.
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influenced operations?
   • Social media
10. If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be?
    • Take steps forward every day
    • Plan for every possible scenario
    • Do something you love doing otherwise you won't be able to do it for a long time

Contact info:

Poke Burri website

Lifting Noodles Ramen website

Instagram: @pokeburri

Instagram: @liftingnoodlesramen

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

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Huge thanks to Seven Chan for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

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