740: Anthony Cruz & Gene Colley on The Pursuit of Perfection

<p>Gene Colley, a former operator of heavy river equipment, and Anthony Cruz, former fine-dining trained line-cook turned healthcare professional, joined forces in 2016 to tackle food market/event/festival gigs with their pop-up fish taco concept, Gulf Tacos. After making a name for themselves by winning a few local food competitions, the duo saw an opportunity to ride the Nashville Hot Chicken wave in 2018. With this seen opportunity, Southerns Food was created and they've been selling out of sandwiches, daily, ever since.      </p> <h2>Show notes…</h2> <h3>Calls to ACTION!!!</h3> <ul> <li>Subscribe to the <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJSERtxnAE3V7T9PQ19w_Og">Restaurant Unstoppable YouTube Channel</a></li> <li>Join the private <a href= "https://www.facebook.com/groups/493649961457862/">Unstoppable Facebook Group</a></li> <li>Join the email list! (Scroll Down to get the Vendor List!)</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Favorite success quote or mantra:</h3> <ul> <li>"Service to others is the rent we pay for our room on earth." -Muhammad Ali</li> </ul> <p><strong>In today's episode with Anthony Cruz and Teen Colley we will discuss:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Mentors</li> <li>Chefs making mentees cry</li> <li>Demanding respect as a leader</li> <li>What Susan Spicer taught Anthony in the kitchen</li> <li>Working on the line with no tickets, just call backs</li> <li>Work ethic</li> <li>Alcoholism in the restaurant industry</li> <li>Testing a concept at festivals</li> <li>Word of mouth</li> <li>Let your people lean into their strengths</li> <li>Giving away food to even organizers</li> <li>Willingness to be vulnerable and ask questions/seek guidance</li> <li>Painting yourself into a corner through branding</li> <li>Social media best practices</li> <li>Cross-promotions with companies you like and respect</li> <li>Giveaways, are they worth it?</li> <li>COVID-19's effect on festivals and food trucks</li> </ul> <h3 style="text-align: left;">Today's sponsor:</h3> <p style="text-align: left;"><a href= "https://