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8 tips to running a successful restaurant business with Heaven Leigh

20 minutes

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The fundamentals to surviving 20+ years in hospitality and business

The ability to survive AND thrive for multiple years in business is a skill. And not many people have that skill and knowledge to do so, let alone for 20+ years! That's why we invited one of our friends at The Entourage, Heaven Leigh, the Owner of Australia's first and largest vegan yum cha restaurant, Bodhi Restaurant Bar to share with you her experience and lessons.

Heaven took over the family business at its relaunch over 20 years ago and has been through multiple recessions and a near bankruptcy, coming out the other side stronger than ever. With a wealth of business and personal lessons from her business journey, she was able to utilise them to ride out the recent lockdowns successfully.

Whether you're in the hospitality industry or not, these 8 tips Heaven shares with us are fundamental to ANY business owner surviving and thriving long-term, especially as things are opening back up and demand starts to soar. So, prepare yourself for the oncoming wave of opportunity in all industries by sitting down and taking the time to listen carefully to this episode of The Make It Happen Show today..


Topics covered in this episode:

  • 1:40 - How the hospitality sector took a hit and bounced back from COVID-19
  • 3:39 - The importance of creating a proper structure for your business
  • 4:13 - How to lessen the margin of loss in your business and finances
  • 5:02 - When and why you should consider hibernating your business
  • 7:26 - How to maintain staff retention and loyalty through turbulent times in business
  • 9:44 - What you need to do to upgrade your marketing strategies
  • 10:16 - The importance of female leadership
  • 11:46 - The guidance purpose and intention provides
  • 13:50 - Effective personal habits that got Heaven through more than 20 years of business
Heaven Leigh, Owner of Bodhi Restaurant Bar joins to The Make It Happen Show

"The hospitality sector is one of the most vulnerable industries globally as we've seen with COVID. However, it's also one of the quickest to bounce back, IF business owners follow a few simple rules."

— Heaven Leigh

In this episode, you will learn:

  • How near-death experiences of your business can help you build resilience
  • Why you need to start thinking about where your business will be in 5-10 years
  • Financial levers that should be available to your business
  • How to get discounts on your bills during challenging times
  • The importance of a care factor with your team
  • The best way to lead from the front in business
  • And more!

DID YOU ENJOY THIS PODCAST?

PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW ON

TOP 10 BUSINESS PODCAST ON ITUNES

Great insight for business owners and super practical takeaways!

Bruce Casanovic

Amazing guests, great insights into their journey and what has helped make their businesses successful. Great to hear how some of the guests have navigated challenge as well. Loads of good practice takeaways.

Perfect for the Monday commute

innov8me

Great to listen to on the commute to work on Monday mornings. Great content, well delivered and plenty of insights from industry leaders in a variety of fields. Good to see the entourage getting out there with a podcast series

Top-shelf guests. Top-shelf conversations.

podcast_junkie_18

This is so awesome, so helpful, and so fresh. Right from the get-go, the team at The Entourage have brought out the big names in the Aussie entrepreneur and business space to have conversations that every business owner should listen to. I can't wait to see who they bring on next.

Amazing guests

Komesy

Loved the episode with Tim Fung, Airtasker CEO! You guys are getting some awesome guests in! Thank you!

Entourage on point again!

Adz Rodger

Great content again from The Entourage! Particularly like the 1st episode and the points Tim Fung made about making sure you make time to map out the future and don't get stuck on day to day 'work', as well as the observation that you really need to be strategic about your people management and not just try to save money. Two awesome take homes I have already taken action on!

For entrepreneurs and non-trepeneurs alike

kylie_73

Well this was one of the best things I’ve heard in a while. I’m by no means the target demographic, having zero business or entrepreneurial experience at all. Luckily the advice given for business growth and success is remarkably applicable to personal growth and success. Loved the conversational style, by the end of the podcast I felt like I knew both Tims personally, which is a great mark of engagement. And I loved hearing about the humble beginnings of Airtasker from the founder himself. Give this a listen if you’re craving a bit of personal or professional inspiration.

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