In this session of Rising Tides Live, the community gathered for a special Ask Shawn Anything, where host Shawn Walchef took questions from the group and encouraged everyone to do the same. From a former dishwasher turned GM sharing leadership lessons, to a barbecue pitmaster navigating burnout and balance, the conversation was honest, practical, and full of insight. Shawn opened up about imposter syndrome, learning to ask for help, and the power of storytelling over sales. The group exchanged ideas about AI, content creation, restaurant leadership, and mentorship. Whether you’re building a team, launching a product, or just trying to keep your table stable, this session was a reminder that curiosity, consistency, and community are the real secret ingredients.

• Leadership Is About Listening, Not Just Managing – Great leaders create space for ideas to flow, recognize wins both big and small, and support their teams with consistent encouragement—not just correction.
• Content Creation Starts with Consistency – Whether it’s Substack, LinkedIn, or 60-second videos on TikTok, the key to growing your digital presence is to start small, show up daily, and share what you know.
• Asking for Help Builds Stronger Businesses – The most successful operators aren’t afraid to ask questions, lean on their community, and delegate with intention. Growth often begins with vulnerability.

• Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/
• Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/
• Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/

DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying. It works seamlessly with your POS, so there’s nothing you need to do. And because DAVO guarantees your taxes will be paid on time and in full, there’s nothing to worry about either.

Digital Hospitality doesn't have to be complicated and our partners at Marqii live that every day. Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences from first search to latest visit with their one-stop digital operations platform built for hospitality operators.