035: Justin Anthony | Decoding Success With Restaurateur

Jun 11, 2018 | Interviews, Podcast

I wanted to have Justin Anthony on the show today not just because he’s a hugely successful restaurateur and entertainer – he is Founder of the South African hospitality group True Story Brands and the owner of some of the top restaurants in Atlanta – but because he has been able to stay at the top of his game in an industry that isn’t very forgiving.

In This Conversation We Cover:

  • [3:00] Growing up in South African apartheid
  • [6:00] Going pro in soccer at 17
  • [9:30] Pivoting from professional soccer player to restaurateur
  • [11:10] Opening the first South African restaurant in the U.S.
  • [16:00] Why Justin decided to wait tables before opening his first restaurant
  • [22:00] The teachers that impacted Justin’s growth
  • [26:00] When David met his wife &
  • [28:10] Opening 3 restaurants in 6 months (and why Justin does NOT recommend it!)
  • [30:45] Learning how to hire good people
  • [34:35] Consistency, Standards, & Top Chef
  • [36:40] Why Justin considers himself a player in the entertainment industry & not so much a restaurateur
  • [44:50] Why Justin changes his restaurant’s vibe every year (and the fun of shot skis!)
  • [45:45] Strategies for working with your spouse without killing each other
  • [47:50] The most challenging period of Justin’s career & what he did to get back on his feet
  • [50:40] Playing hard & winding down

Resources:

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Ciao! We’re Rob & Kim. Over the past two-decades we’ve lived by one motto, “Excuses are over. it’s time to live!”

In August of 2021, we put our motto to the test, sold everything and moved our family to Italy.

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