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