Tracy Vaught may be an “accidental restaurateur, but 35 years later she is now one of the most respected in the field. The geologist-turned-restaurateur owns/operates H Town Restaurant Group which includes four of Houston's most successful, award-winning restaurants - Backstreet Cafe, Hugo’s, Caracol, and Xochi. The group also recently opened Mi Almita in Honolulu, and the own half of a restaurant Origen. She is a three-time semifinalist for Restaurateur of the Year for James Beard Awards, named 2003 Restaurateur of the Year at Houston Culinary Awards, and recognized in 2017 for her work by Houston Business Journal’s Women Mean Business Awards. Check out Restaurantowner.com as mentioned in today's show! Show notes… Favorite success quote or mantra: "Rather than develop from without, develop the employees that you already have within your team." In today's episode with Tracy Vaught we will discuss: The power of mentors The boss doesn't always have the best answers Renovating an old space to build a restaurant Relationships in the workplace Taking over an existing restaurant Partnerships SBA loans Slow, small scaling Smoking on the job Full service vs. fast casual Food critics introducing new concepts to a market through education How has the industry changed in 36 years of restaurant ownership? Stay off the cell phone while working Today's sponsor: Gusto offers modern, easy payroll, benefits, and HR to small businesses across the country — they were even named best online payroll by PCMag. And as a listener, you’ll get three months free when you run your first payroll. Sign up and give it a try at Gusto.com/unstoppable.  CAKE provides an easy-to-use integrated software and hardware solution to build better dining experiences for restaurant operators and their guests. With mobile marketing and waitlist management to point of sale payment processing, the CAKErestaurant management system helps you grow your business.  Learn more at trycake.com/unstoppable EthicsSuite.com -provide a safe, secure, simple and anonymous communication channel between you and your employees to help you protect your hard-earned reputation and assets. Demonstrate to your team that you are committed to providing a workplace that operates with the highest ethical standards. Staying informed about important issues will help you resolve them internally before they spiral into larger, costly, or public problems.  Knowledge bombs Which "it factor" habit, trait, or characteristic you believe most contributes to your success? Teaching What is your biggest weakness? Taking chances What's one question you ask or thing you look for during an interview? Curiosity What's a current challenge? How are you dealing with it? Labor Share one code of conduct or behavior you teach your team. Integrity What is one uncommon standard of service you teach your staff? Graciousness What's one book we must read to become a better person or restaurant owner? Setting the Table by Danny Meyer GET THIS BOOK FOR FREE AT AUDIBLE.COM  What's the one thing you feel restaurateurs don't know well enough or do often enough? Be authentic and be original What's one piece of technology you've adopted within your four walls restaurant and how has it influence operations? Microsoft Teams - group chat software If you got the news that you'd be leaving this world tomorrow and all memories of you, your work, and your restaurants would be lost with your departure with the exception of 3 pieces of wisdom you could leave behind for the good of humanity, what would they be? Grow your team from within Save money Do something authentic to your own experience Contact info: Email: tracy@backstreetcafe.net Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for joining today! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below! If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post. Also, please leave an h