In this episode of 7 Quotes With, RunningRestaurants.com founder and podcast host Jaime Oikle interviews Darren Spicer, founder of Clutch Coffee Bar and 110 Ventures. Darren shares his journey from working at Dutch Bros at 18 to building and selling Clutch Coffee Bar back to Dutch Bros. Through seven impactful quotes from Kobe Bryant, Mark Cuban, Simon Sinek, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Ray Lewis, Darren discusses leadership, work ethic, servant leadership, and entrepreneurship. He also covers scaling a drive-through coffee brand, capturing customer data, developing young leaders, and his current ventures, including an energy drink, a BBQ rub, and a remote staffing agency.

Introduction (00:00:00)

Darren Spicer, founder of Clutch Coffee Bar, and previews the episode's leadership topics.

Darren's Journey with Clutch Coffee Bar (01:26)

Darren discusses Clutch Coffee Bar's acquisition by Dutch Bros, where he worked in his youth, and his current consulting work.

The Meaning Behind 110 Ventures (03:25)

Darren explains the name of his company, 110 Ventures, representing the extra 10% effort they bring to clients.

Quote 1: Kobe Bryant on Sacrifice (04:08)

Darren discusses a Kobe Bryant quote about the sacrifices necessary to achieve greatness and the importance of a relentless work ethic.

Quote 2: Kobe Bryant on Laziness (06:20)

A second Kobe Bryant quote is shared about not relating to lazy people and being allergic to doing the bare minimum.

Growth Challenges: From One to Many Locations (07:18)

Darren talks about the challenges of expanding Clutch Coffee Bar, especially entering new markets and building brand awareness from scratch.

The Importance of Customer Experience (09:03)

The conversation covers the obsession with customer service, guerrilla marketing, and creating a memorable experience to drive repeat business.

Capturing Customer Data (10:35)

Darren explains his strategy for capturing customer data during grand openings to build loyalty and enable targeted marketing efforts.

Quote 3: Mark Cuban on Failure (13:19)

A Mark Cuban quote is discussed, emphasizing that you only have to be right once, no matter how many times you fail.

Lessons from Selling the Business (15:08)

Darren shares insights from the process of selling Clutch Coffee Bar, highlighting the critical importance of real estate in acquisitions.

Quote 4: Simon Sinek on Servant Leadership (17:42)

Darren introduces a Simon Sinek quote about leadership being about taking care of those in your charge, not being in charge.

Developing Young Leaders (19:21)

The discussion shifts to the responsibility of teaching life skills and building confidence in young employees, illustrated with a success story.

Darren's Current Business Ventures (22:05)

Darren details his current projects, including an energy drink, a coffee-infused BBQ rub, and a remote staffing agency.

How to Manage Multiple Projects (24:20)

Darren shares his methods for staying organized and managing multiple businesses, emphasizing delegation and the help of a remote assistant.

Quote 5: Simon Sinek on Leaders Eating Last (25:26)

Another Simon Sinek quote is shared, reinforcing the concept of servant leadership by taking care of your team first.

Quote 6: Gary Vaynerchuk on Winning (26:30)

Darren discusses a Gary Vaynerchuk quote about surrounding yourself with people who are driven and want to win.

Mentoring Student Athletes (29:27)

Darren talks about his volunteer work mentoring student athletes at the University of Oregon, helping them navigate life and careers.

Quote 7: Ray Lewis on Attitude and Effort (32:03)

The final quote from Ray Lewis highlights that attitude and effort are the two things you can always control in life.

Final Advice for Entrepreneurs (33:57)

Darren encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to act now, have a plan, and not be afraid to fail, viewing setbacks as learning opportunities.

Book Recommendation: Positively Outrageous Service (36:16)

https://www.110-ventures.com.

In this episode of Seven Quotes With, host Jaime Oikle sits down with Geoffrey Toffetti, CEO of Frontline Performance Group, to explore seven impactful quotes shaping his leadership philosophy. Jeffrey shares insights from his career in hospitality, discussing themes of loyalty, commitment, trust, and long-term thinking. He reflects on early career struggles, including a team mutiny that transformed his leadership approach. The conversation also highlights how AI is revolutionizing hospitality through personalized staff coaching and data-driven insights. Geoffrey emphasizes people-first leadership, goal setting, and building trust as cornerstones of effective management in a global, fast-evolving industry.

** Timestamps **

Introduction to Geoffrey Toffetti and Frontline Performance Group (00:00:38)

Geoffrey Toffetti introduces himself and his company, which supports frontline teams in the travel, hotel, and restaurant industries globally.

Quote 1: Loyalty and Leadership (00:02:09)

Colin Powell's quote on loyalty, emphasizing honest debate before a decision is made and unified execution after it's made.

From Mutiny to Leadership (00:03:51)

Geoffrey shares his early management experience, including a team mutiny, and how it taught him to guide, not just tell.

Advice for a Younger Self (00:07:52)

Geoffrey reflects that he would have told his younger self to start working harder earlier to benefit from compounding effort.

Quote 2: The Power of Commitment (00:08:36)

W.H. Murray's quote on how commitment eliminates hesitancy and sets a clear path forward, aligning with goal-setting principles.

Hospitality, Technology, and AI (00:11:04)

Discussion on how hospitality's people-first approach can enhance technology, using AI to improve human performance rather than replace it.

Using AI to Coach Restaurant Staff (00:12:38)

AI can analyze sales data to create personalized coaching for staff, identifying specific areas for improvement like drink replenishment.

Quote 3: A Leader's Lasting Influence (00:18:14)

Kierkegaard's quote on how a selfless leader's influence begins after they are gone, unlike a tyrant's rule which ends.

Learning from Bad Leaders (00:19:19)

Geoffrey discusses learning more from bad leaders than good ones, creating a "do not do" list for his own leadership.

Quote 4: Earning the Right to Lead (00:22:27)

Alan Watts' quote on how power without transformation is poison, highlighting the importance of overcoming adversity to become an effective leader.

The Importance of Giving Trust First (00:24:16)

Geoffrey explains his core value of giving trust freely to new team members, believing it's essential for building relationships.

Quote 5: Finding Your "Why" (00:26:09)

Nietzsche's quote on how having a "why" helps endure any hardship, connecting purpose to team perseverance and motivation.

Core Habits for Guest Experience (00:27:27)

Three core habits for success in hospitality: a positive attitude, a positive presentation style, and strong product knowledge.

Quote 6: Self-Examination Before Judgment (00:30:59)

Marcus Aurelius' quote on understanding another's point of reference by first examining your own actions and potential reactions.

Designing Effective Incentive Programs (00:33:24)

A discussion on creating tiered incentive programs that motivate everyone, from entry-level employees to the highest achievers.

Quote 7: Long-Term Thinking (00:35:17)

A Greek proverb about planting trees for future generations, emphasizing making decisions for long-term benefit, not immediate gain.

A Memorable Guest Interaction (00:39:30)

Geoffrey recalls de-escalating a situation with an irate guest by using calm logic instead of reacting with emotion.

How Geoffrey Resets (00:41:16)

Geoffrey shares that he relaxes by reading three books a month, gardening, and spending quality time with his family.

https://restaurant.mysamcart.com/products/

Jaime interviews Roger Beaudoin, a veteran hospitality entrepreneur and host of the podcast Restaurant Rockstars. The conversation explores Roger's journey from aspiring pilot to restaurant leader, focusing on seven quotes that shaped his life and leadership. Roger shares personal stories about overcoming setbacks, embracing risk, empowering teams, and balancing work with family and passions. The episode offers practical leadership advice, insights on lifelong learning, and reflections on supporting others' growth - both in business and at home - while emphasizing the importance of living fully and evolving at any age.

While Roger's expertise is rooted in the restaurant industry, the wisdom he shares transcends any single field, offering actionable insights for anyone seeking to lead, grow, and live with purpose. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring leader, or simply looking to live more intentionally, these insights will help you chart your own path to success and fulfillment.

We cover...

- Roger's journey to becoming a successful restaurateur & industry veteran.

- The importance of perseverance and continuous learning in personal and professional growth.

- Embracing fear and taking risks as a pathway to personal fulfillment and adventure.

- The distinction between management and true leadership, focusing on empowerment and team development.

- Strategies for effective leadership communication, including public praise and private critique.

- The significance of recognizing and nurturing talent within teams.

- Balancing work and personal life to prioritize meaningful experiences.

- The role of supportive relationships in personal and professional development.

- Encouragement for lifelong learning and pursuing passions regardless of age or circumstance.