A Leap of Faith Can Change Your Life
Once upon a time, Molly Irani was a reluctant restaurateur. Today, she's co-founder of the award-winning Chai Pani Restaurant Group. Don't miss her on the latest Radio Cherry Bombe.
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“Forget everything I said about following your bliss… that’s insane!”
Those are the words that Molly Irani (essentially) told her husband, Meherwan, when he bolted up in bed to share his dream of opening an Indian street food restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina.
It came out of nowhere. He’d never worked in restaurants. It was also the peak of the 2008 Great Recession.
But 17 years later, Chai Pani Restaurant Group is a thriving business with locations in Decatur, Georgia, and Washington, D.C., too. They also have four locations (Atlanta, Charlotte, Asheville) of Botiwalla, Meherwan’s homage to late-night Indian street food and Irani cafes. In 2019, the Chai Pani team won a James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant. Despite setbacks—a pandemic, hurricanes, flooding—they are crushing it, while building a restaurant culture that, hopefully, catches on.
Earlier this month, host Kerry Diamond wrote about Molly’s new book, required reading for anyone who owns a restaurant (or dreams about it): Service Ready: A Story of Love, Restaurants, and the Power of Hospitality. It tells the story of opening the restaurant, but also serves as a truly useful guidebook for anyone who manages other human beings, no matter what industry you work in.
Because we can all ask ourselves: “What elements contribute to a work culture people want to be a part of, and help them grow careers meaningful to them?”
Kerry and Molly went deeper into conversation this week on Radio Cherry Bombe, an inspiring listen for anyone in leadership positions hoping to make a change. It’s time.
“It really came down to building a culture that sustains people through whatever the hell you’re going to face,” said Molly. “Because times are crazy and our business is not easy on a good day.”
Want more wisdom from Molly?
If you’re a paid subscriber, don’t miss Molly at our next monthly meeting on Wednesday, 4/1, at 3 p.m. EST. Sign up here.
P.S. You know Spicewalla, right? It’s the spice company Molly and Meherwan launched in 2017. The chai mix is a must, but the new dry mix for homemade chilli crunch is genius. Big fans.
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