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Sandra’s Subsequent Technology, a soul meals restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut, is #56 on Yelp’s 2023 High 100 Locations to Eat within the U.S. It has been an area staple for 34 years, with proprietor Sandra Pittman cooking in the identical kitchen since 1989.
Sandra and her husband Miguel have perfected their working dynamic, enjoying to their very own strengths and supporting each other to maintain the restaurant operating in any case these years.
“The explanation why we’re the place we’re in the present day is as a result of we actually divide and conquer. He has his position. I’ve my position. And we respect one another’s position,” Sandra stated.
“Once you communicate concerning the restaurant enterprise, the explanation why it is so difficult and it is eternally altering is as a result of it has so many shifting elements. And all of the elements should work collectively as a unit. And I suppose that is a part of our success of being in enterprise for 34 years,” Miguel added.
Whereas solidarity appears to be the key sauce at Sandra’s, the homeowners are effectively conscious that their clients anticipate distinctive meals, ambiance, and repair once they go to.
“You might be solely nearly as good as your final meal as a result of the folks, they’re gonna keep in mind the final meal. In order a enterprise proprietor, you must be on the highest of your recreation,” Miguel stated.
In response to Yelp reviewer and neighborhood supervisor Alex T., the Pittmans are hitting the nail on the top: “It is fairly wonderful. The second you stroll in, you may simply really feel the vibe and the vitality of Sandra’s Subsequent Technology. You might be gonna scent so many scrumptious scents and flavors.”
These welcoming aromas are all because of Sandra’s 84-year-old mom, who handed down her recipes. Nevertheless, like many household recipes, there was a historical past and which means behind them that Sandra needed to uncover earlier than she may absolutely recognize the legacy she was preserving.
“As just a little lady, I used to all the time hear my mother’s tales about how exhausting she labored on a farm rising up, working from sunup to sunset, and the way she would elevate her personal candy potatoes. She talked about all these tales, however they did not actually hook up with me as a result of I by no means had a possibility to essentially see it till I truly went to the South once I was 16 years previous and noticed the cotton fields and noticed how they grew their greens. It related with me then—simply to have the ability to share her recipes and preserve her inspiration going and simply preserve her struggle going. Let her know that every thing that she did wasn’t in useless.”
That struggle and inspiration from her mom’s historical past interprets into every thing Sandra desires to offer for her clients.
“When folks come, I need them to really feel the vibes. I need them to be impressed. I need them to know that any desires that you’ve got, it would not matter how huge it’s, you must consider that you may do it. It’s a must to struggle. It’s a must to rise up each single day with a mindset. The mindset is every thing, it doesn’t matter what, as a result of there’s gonna be many failures in your life. The place we’re in the present day is due to our failures. You may’t stop. You gotta rise up. You simply gotta carry on going.”
Eating places and companies in any business can be taught extra from Sandra’s story, together with:
- Being genuine whereas additionally mixing it up. Offering a standard expertise or real recipes doesn’t suggest you may’t get artistic. Discover the tendencies in your business that you could incorporate to wow present clients and appeal to new ones.
- Changing into a drive for good in your neighborhood. “Be the change you need to see” can apply to a nation or a neighborhood. Your native enterprise serves a neighborhood, so uplifting that neighborhood and being a optimistic affect is usually a boon to income and everybody round you.
- Deliberately hiring and supporting your employees. Motivating your crew and main with honesty and empathy highlights the humanity of your enterprise. Everybody has unhealthy days, but when they work in an understanding surroundings, they’re going to be extra more likely to present up for you and offer you their finest.
Hearken to the episode beneath to listen to instantly from Sandra, Miguel, and Alex, and subscribe to Behind the Overview for extra from new enterprise homeowners and reviewers each Thursday.
Accessible on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and Soundcloud.
