608: Aaron Lyons on Believing In Your Concept

Always an entrepreneur at heart, Aaron Lyons was raised in Austin, TX and is a graduate University of Texas where he obtained his MBA with a focus on entrepreneurship and marketing. In 2014 after 2 years of searching for a location and investors, Lyons opened Dish Society in Houston, TX. 5 years later Lyons and his team have scaled the concept to a total of 5 location in and around Houston. Lyons attributes his success to the focus put on purchasing from local farmers and purveyors and the people he has surrounded himself with.

Show notes… Favorite success quote or mantra:

1. Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
2. What you allow in your presence is your standard.

In this episode with Aaron Lyons, we discuss:

• • Creating a concept that was scalable
  • Creating a $30 experience on $15
  • Attention to detail
  • Executive presence
  • The importance of self-awareness
  • BE OPEN-MINDED
  • The importance of education
  • Make steps toward your goal WITH INTENTION
  • Education vs. experience
  • Securing capital
  • Bluffing to get capital
  • Believing in yourself
  • Passion and body language
  • Do MORE RESEARCH before opening your restaurant
  • Accepting the need to compromise
  • Do you need a publicist?
  • Your culture is a reflection of you

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  Knowledge bombs

1. Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success?
   • Naturally aware if what guests want
2. What is your biggest weakness?
   • Impatience
3. What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview?
   • A natural inclination toward hospitality and guest-focused thinking
4. What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it?
   • Hiring really solid people and having enough staff to accommodate growth
5. Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team.
   • Always asking "what are we tolerating and why?"
6. What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff?
   • Exceptional experiences
7. What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner?
   • Way of the Shepard
   • Positively Outrageous Service
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8. What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't do well enough or do often enough?
   • Business acumen and legal acumen
9. What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls and how has it influenced operations?
   • Compeat - ERP System
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?
    • Chase your dreams
    • Surround yourself with people who will make you better
    • Don't be a dick, be vulnerable, don't act like you know everything.

Contact info:

Dish Society website

Instagram: @dishsociety

Facebook: @DishSociety

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Aaron Lyons for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

 

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