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What if I told you that the difference between struggling and thriving in the restaurant industry is just one conversation away? I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur who’s spent decades building blockbuster brands across every tier of dining. I know the challenges you’re facing—because I’ve been there. That’s why I created FULL COMP. Every week, I go one-on-one with the smartest minds in the game—restaurateurs, chefs, and industry insiders who’ve cracked the code. Together, we unp ...
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Masters of Moments involves conversations with top entrepreneurs and business leaders about hospitality, Real Estate investing, and company building. We explore the ideas, strategies, and approaches that brought them to where they are today. This podcast is for you if you are a seasoned investor, an upstart entrepreneur, or someone looking to break into the real estate and hospitality investing world. Jake Wurzak is the CEO of DoveHill Capital Management and Wurzak Hotel Group, a leading ver ...
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The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.
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How to Compete in Today’s Restaurant Market: Mark Politzer on Reinventing a Legacy Brand
32:43
32:43
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What if the hardest part of change isn’t strategy—it’s psychology? Mark Politzer walked away from fine dining to lead Norms, a 76-year-old family-style chain deeply rooted in Southern California. Now he’s balancing evolution with preservation, trying to modernize a beloved brand without breaking what makes it work. In this episode, we talk about ho…
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Office Hours: Why Your Staff Can’t Sell & Why It’s Your Fault
8:55
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I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…
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The Caterer Who Built a Creative Empire: Cooper Vaughan on Margin, Meaning, and the Power of Reinvention
39:19
39:19
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Cooper Vaughan didn’t plan on being a caterer—he was trying not to be. But what started as a side gig in Lexington, Kentucky, turned into Apiary: one of the most creative and complex hospitality companies in the South. And the key to its success? Reinvention. From fine dining drop-offs during the pandemic to immersive, ticketed culinary experiences…
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Brand Partnerships & Salon Ownership: Jeremy Stephens’ Career Playbook | Jeremy Stephens | Owner, Jeremy Stephens Salon | Brand Ambassador & Global Artist
43:29
43:29
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Industry veteran Jeremy Stephens shares how he built a thriving salon and long-term brand partnerships with names like BaBylissPRO and Living Proof—offering a blueprint for stylists who want to grow in and beyond the chair. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! KEY TAKEAWAYS:…
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From Nightlife to High-End Dining: Jamey Shirah on Pivoting, Branding, and Building Revival Restaurant Group
39:35
39:35
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Most people don’t make it out of nightlife. Jamey Shirah didn’t just make it out—he turned the lessons from late nights and crowded bars into a powerhouse hospitality group that’s redefining what Southern restaurants can be. As the founder of Revival Restaurant Group, Jamey shares how he navigated the leap from nightlife to high-end dining, what he…
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Office Hours: Marketing campaigns that are guaranteed to work
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I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…
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Building a Scalable Hotel Brand in High-Barrier Leisure Markets - Matthew Mering - EVP of Hospitality - Waterton
1:06:53
1:06:53
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In this episode of Masters of Moments, Jake Wurzak sits down with Matthew Mering to explore the evolution of lifestyle hotels and the founding story behind Outbound Hotels. From his early experiences in the hospitality industry, starting with bartending at Club Med to co-founding a nightclub while attending business school. Matthew shares how his p…
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Scaling a Mission, Not Just a Menu: Dean Neff on Profitability, Purpose, and Leading with Story
33:57
33:57
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Dean Neff didn’t set out to build the biggest seafood restaurant—he set out to build the most meaningful. At Seabird in Wilmington, North Carolina, Dean’s created a model where purpose isn’t a marketing angle—it’s the operating system. From sourcing to storytelling to team education, his restaurant is a case study in how to scale impact without sac…
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Who Gets to Be the Best? William Drew on Power, Politics, and the Future of Fine Dining
36:13
36:13
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What if the most powerful list in restaurants isn’t about food—it’s about influence? William Drew runs the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the ranking that can transform a chef’s life overnight. But behind the glitz is a story of politics, pressure, and purpose. In this episode, we go deep on how the list really works, who gets included, and what it r…
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The Street Smart Success Podcast - Jake Wurzak
51:02
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This episode is a repost of Jake's appearance on the Street Smart Success Podcast, hosted by Roger Becker. You can learn more about Street Smart Success here - https://www.streetsmartsuccess.com/ Jake shares his journey from working in his family's hotel business to building a portfolio of unique, experience-driven hotels. The conversation explores…
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Office Hours: Your Loyalty Program is your Sales Engine
7:27
7:27
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I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…
…
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1
Built on Purpose, Powered by Profit: Derrick Hayes’ Path from Gas Station to National Brand
37:29
37:29
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Derrick Hayes didn’t open a restaurant—he made a promise. Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks started in a gas station as a tribute to his father. Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in the country. But the road wasn’t easy. Derrick had the demand, the brand, the lines out the door—but not the systems. And without systems, profitability ne…
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Startup Story: Test. Sell. Build. Scale. Lessons from a Co-Founder | Dharmendra Manwani | Co-Founder & CEO, ArtistOnGo
54:33
54:33
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Entrepreneur, CEO, and Co-Founder Dharmendra Manwani shares the startup journey behind ArtistOnGo, offering a real-world look at how to turn an idea into a product—through validation, iteration, and solving the right problem at the right time. ArtistOnGo is a business in a box solution for beauty and wellness professionals empowering them with all …
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Why Slowing Down Built a Stronger Brand: John Paterson on Trust, Turnover, and Frankie’s Secret Sauce
38:58
38:58
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John Paterson had every reason to chase growth. The hype was real. The demand was there. But instead of opening more restaurants, he doubled down on one—and built a brand that runs deep instead of wide. Raised inside family-run restaurants in Alabama, John’s path to ownership wasn’t fast—but it was intentional. And at Frankie’s in Nashville, that i…
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Deploying Over $2B into Mispriced Real Estate - Ian Ross - Founder at Somera Road
1:11:47
1:11:47
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Ian Ross founded SomeraRoad in 2016, bringing a fresh, entrepreneurial approach to opportunistic real estate in growing secondary cities nationwide. He has since led the firm’s rapid expansion, overseeing nearly $2.5 billion in acquisitions of 25+ million square feet in more than 70 unique markets. Ian has also augmented SomeraRoad’s core value-add…
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From Unknown to Unstoppable: How Ivan Iricanin Made Balkan Cuisine Go Viral in America
33:20
33:20
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What does it take to introduce an entire country to a cuisine they’ve never heard of—and scale it into a multi-million-dollar empire? Ivan Iricanin pulled it off with AMBAR, turning an obscure idea into one of the most successful and unique restaurant groups in the country. In today’s episode, Ivan breaks down how he created product-market fit wher…
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What Stylists Need to Know About Micro Salons & Suite Ownership | Kat Scott | Owner, The Rosewood Salon Co. | Business Coach, Destroy the Hairdresser
40:09
40:09
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40:09
In this episode, Salon owner and business coach Kat Scott shares how she went from burned out in traditional salons to thriving as the owner of a micro salon—and what stylists need to consider before jumping into salon suites or opening a space of their own. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear…
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The Book That Changes Everything: Gavin Kaysen on Legacy, Collaboration, and Scaling for Impact
36:58
36:58
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Most chefs build restaurants. Gavin Kaysen built a legacy. With his Synergy Series book, Gavin captures years of mentorship, collaboration, and lessons from 25 of the country’s top chefs—all while scaling his own hospitality empire. In this episode, we explore how he turned six years of curated dinners into a blueprint for future generations, the p…
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Office Hours: Dominate Google without writing a single blog post
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I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…
…
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1
Forget the Hustle: Scott Crawford on Transparency, Boundaries, and Building a Healthier Restaurant Culture
34:43
34:43
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Most chefs wear burnout as a badge of honor. Scott Crawford wears balance and transparency. After years of struggling with addiction, Scott made a radical shift—not just in his own life, but in how he runs his restaurants. From zero-tolerance harassment policies to no-shift-drinks rules, Scott’s approach flips the industry’s toxic culture on its he…
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From Chair to CEO: Building a Scalable Salon Team with Systems That Stick | Diane Cole Stevens | CEO & Owner | Cole Stevens Salon
48:08
48:08
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In this episode, Diane Cole Stevens—CEO of Cole Stevens Salon—shares how she built a high-performing team, established white-glove systems, and grew a brand rooted in excellence, mentorship, and leadership that scales. 🚨Diane will also be a Panelist at our upcoming Beauty Business Brunch on July 27th in Washington, DC. Use this link to learn more, …
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Forget Loyalty—Build Fandom: Chris Smith on Growing Zunzibar with Simplicity, Purpose, and Relationships
34:43
34:43
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Forget the loyalty programs and outdated marketing tricks. Chris Smith, CEO of Zunzibar, has a different approach—one that turns customers into fans, simplifies operations, and scales with soul. From flipping burgers in college to building a franchise model with a clear mission, Chris shares how focusing on simplicity, relationships, and purpose ha…
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Office Hours: Serving This Guest Will Scale Your Restaurant
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I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…
…
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1
Why Florida is the Future of Luxury Real Estate - Isaac Toledano - Co-Founder of BH Group [2024]
1:08:20
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In this episode of Masters of Moments, Jake Wurzak sits down with Isaac Toledano for a wide-ranging conversation on his entrepreneurial journey, development philosophy, and deep commitment to Florida real estate. Isaac reflects on his early start in business at age 15 in Israel, how his risk appetite has evolved, and why partnerships are at the cen…
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Why Most Training Fails: Cassie Miller on Building 19 Brands That Retain Top Talent
37:07
37:07
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Most restaurants throw new hires into the fire and hope they stick. Cassie Miller, VP of Training at Craveworthy Brands, has built a system that keeps them thriving. In this episode, she reveals why generic training is a recipe for churn, how to build real accountability into your culture, and the simple systems that scaled Craveworthy to 19 brands…
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From Dorm Room to Studio: Creative Paths in the Beauty Industry | Cameron Moore | Versatile Hairstylist | Bossybeautybooking.as.me/
24:48
24:48
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Cameron Moore reveals how she turned a passion into a growing hair business—balancing school, marketing work, and a passion for empowering others through braiding and beauty. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! KEY TAKEAWAYS: 🔅Cameron taught herself how to braid during the …
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The Hidden Gold in Your Restaurant: Kirk Grogan on Using Tips to Drive Culture, Retention, and Profit
40:07
40:07
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Most restaurant operators treat tips like a liability—or worse, an afterthought. But Kirk Grogan sees them for what they really are: one of the most powerful tools in your business. As co-founder of TipHaus, Kirk has helped thousands of restaurants transform tip management from a source of stress and legal risk into a lever for culture, retention, …
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Office Hours: How to Get Your Guest's Attention (and get them back in)
9:01
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I’m Josh Kopel, a Michelin-awarded restaurateur and the creator of the Restaurant Scaling System. I’ve spent decades in the industry, building, scaling, and coaching restaurants to become more profitable and sustainable. On this show, I cut through the noise to give you real, actionable strategies that help independent restaurant owners run smarter…
…
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1
Jack McGarry on Becoming The Best and The Aftermath of Excellence
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Jack McGarry has achieved the accolades most of us dream about. He’s been awarded the best bartender in the world and his NY bar, The Dead Rabbit, was awarded the distinction of Best Bar in the World, a few years after that. But that’s not the end of Jack’s story. Since hitting the top, Jack has redefined excellence through the lens of bar ownershi…
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The State of Customer Service: Insight from the Restaurant Industry | Daniel Samir | Seasoned DC Restaurant Operations & Customer Service Expert
34:53
34:53
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Hospitality expert Daniel Samir shares what today’s customers really want, how COVID reshaped service expectations, and the lessons salon professionals can take from the restaurant world. Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review! KEY TAKEAWAYS: 🔅Clear communication and setting ex…
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