Sam's Band Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Wkp6yWAqvf6Hvga07alzT?si=ca99ccfad1ac4f08

Live life loudly! Couldn’t agree more!

This was a blast! Thanks Sam Oches, Editorial Director at Informa and the mastermind behind Nation’s Restaurant News.

We dove into everything in this podcast from his passion for drumming (yes, drumming!) to our shared childhood obsession with Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Bars—trust me, there were plenty of laughs along the way.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll hear:

>>>Sam’s journey from being a bona fide “news junkie” as a kid (credit to his parents) to using his killer writing skills, and even a free education, to break into journalism.

>>>A look at the standout mentors who’ve shaped his path, inspiring him to pay it forward to the next generation of storytellers.

>>And the common thread among the industry’s greatest leaders? A blend of longevity and a real commitment to keeping the true meaning of culture alive - it’s all about balancing quality and quantity!

For this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I talked with my friend Wade Allen, President at Costa Vida!

One of Wade’s favorite quotes (from Abraham Maslow) is that “at any moment, we can step forward into growth or step back into safety.” I think it is perfect! He has repeatedly chosen to lean into new opportunities and his willingness to press beyond fear has kept him on the forefront of innovation and is a recurring theme in his success.

There were so many great moments and takeaways in this conversation:

>>> Wade’s very first job as an “assistant dishwasher” at age 14 taught him how to hustle and the payoff of hard work, speed, and service! His early experiences in the kitchen set the tone for a lifelong belief in going the extra mile to delight both clients and guests!

>>>His career shows how blending analytical insights with a people-first mindset can transform guest experiences and drive brand loyalty. Despite being on the forefront of marketing and data science, he emphasizes the importance of never losing sight of the human at the other end of every data point!

>>>Wade underscores the idea that trust is the bedrock of high-performing teams. Instead of micromanaging, his leadership philosophy is to focus on removing obstacles and empower people do their best work.

>>>Wade’s transition to Costa Vida was equal parts serendipity and conviction. Trusting his gut, and paying attention to those too-good-to-be-true coincidences, reinforced his belief that success often comes from embracing change when the moment feels right.

The key to being a successful entrepreneur? Being “Irrationally Passionate!” – Wow! I can relate!

For this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I spoke with Zach Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Thanx. His company is a leading guest engagement platform in the restaurant industry.

Zach shared tons of great lessons and insights. It was hard to pick my favorites, but here goes:

>>>His first job: Tutoring middle school students as a freshman in high school. That taught him how people learn differently, a lesson he applied throughout his business career to better connect with his employees.

>>>It’s not just about capturing data. You need to create a frictionless way that allows you to actually utilize it! Data is only as good as what you do with it!

>>> Zach explains that loyalty is a “business outcome”, not just a “program to drive traffic.” They’re working to overturn that misconception!

>>>It is all about the people! It is critical that early on, you empower your team and surround yourself with people who share your passion!