This is America...don't catch you slippin' now...I mean... this is America...The American dream to own your own business and home. However, that dream is getting harder and harder to achieve as the years go by and you start to think, is it even possible? Yes it is...
My parents own a Sushi Restaurant in Culver City called Sushi Mashiko since 1990 (more than 30 years). It was an interesting experience to grow up in a restaurant and not in a home because your parents were there almost everyday and so you had to be there doing your homework in the back.
As an immigrant, you only know what you know and to open a restaurant is starting a business and there's more to it than making food for people. However, I commend them to open a business and only knowing how to make sushi and if you know you are good, then do it!
Also vice versa, if you don't know anything about making food but want to open a restaurant, you need to make sure you have the right team since you are depending on them to help you succeed in your business. for example, you love the artwork of an artist but you yourself is not and probably will never be one because that's not your thing. You can ask that artist to assist an artwork you want them to make. Below are 5 tips you should know before opening a restaurant.
Here are the 5 points you should know and do.
Point 1) PASSION! This is the one major ingredient you need to open any business!
Yes, passion in not just opening the restaurant and the money (because there are definitely easier way of making money), but the food you are creating and sharing to the world.
Why is this important? because most people in restaurant business will not see a profit for 5 years and the personal sacrifice you will experience physically, financially and emotionally. My dad is proof, his dream was to become a Sushi Chef and restaurant is still open for 30+ years!
Point 2) Weigh the PROS and CONS | Just ask those with experience
I say talk to restaurant owners about their experience or if you have friends or family who are in the industry what they recommend.
There will be online opinions out there but only you can get the answer you want and need to see if this is the right path for you. Here are 5 Sample questions:
How is your business doing now?
Do you regret opening your restaurant?
What would you do differently?
Would you recommend others to open a restaurant?
What advice would you give to someone who is starting up?
Point 3) Support from family and friends!
No, not asking for financial support. Emotional and motivational support and if you have a family, that everyone agrees together. Let them know what point 2 (the pros and cons) are and if you're in this together through thick and thin.
Point 4) Marketing | Research and start promoting before you OPEN
Important to know where, when and how to open a business.
Location
Parking
Pricing
Other factors
So many things to look at in terms of what you have? like Sushi during the the 1990s were still unknown and became a trend, but as years progress, new sushi restaurant opened and competition made it difficult and we barely survived. Also the oversaturation of the market made sushi less of a trend and a daily thing you can buy at a supermarket. So to know that no matter what, will there still be a market for this even after the trend dies.
Point 5) Financial Cost | After all that, can you afford to open?
Even if you don't have the money, there are ways to get the funds such as loans or investors.
What Equipment will you need?
How many employees?
What are the business permits/license needs and cost?
Do you need business insurance?
What's your backup plan if you don't do well?
Also a great article from websturantstore.com on 11 steps to open a restaurant :
What's the benefit?
In the end, seeing people enjoy themselves and the food! It's not about the reward but the people you meet along the way.
Above you will see kids drawing we put up and one of our talented customer Andy Bernet, follow him on instagram @doctorbernet https://www.instagram.com/doctorbernet/
If you want to visit the restaurant, it's located at 10726 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA
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