Ep. 156 Vickie Zambrano

Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ You don’t have to have a plan—just the guts to say yes.
Vickie never dreamed of owning a restaurant, but bold moves (and a stubborn streak) turned a casual idea into a thriving business. Founders: you don’t need it all figured out—just get started.

2️⃣ Culture is your greatest asset—protect it like hell.
Hiring slow, firing fast, and leading with empathy helped Vickie build a loyal, culture-driven team that shows up when it counts. Respect beats fear every time.

3️⃣ Chaos is inevitable. Isolation is optional.
Printer breaks? Espresso fails? Staff drama? It all happens. What matters is having a ride-or-die community that rallies with you—not around you. Build your support system before you think you’ll need it.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome to Hello Chaos
01:29 How a charcuterie reel turned into a full-blown restaurant
04:06 From zero plan to signing commercial leases
07:56 Ignoring advice, protecting culture, and firing fast
11:31 The team shakeup that changed everything
20:01 Leading with empathy (not fear)
24:39 The real weight of payroll and people
28:36 What’s next: expansion, events, and new concepts
29:19 Surprise: Vickie’s an introvert
32:17 Chaos, coping, and Tuesday escapes
38:46 Her advice: Say yes, do it scared, and don’t go it alone
40:35 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
42:16 Connecting with the Community

🔗 Learn more about Curean and connect with Vickie with the links below:

Website: https://cureangvl.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickie-zambrano/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickiezambrano_/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cureangvl/

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