As the SVP of Marketing at Emmy Squared Pizza, a 29-location Detroit-style pizza chain with a cult-like following, Sergio Prez has a clear philosophy: stay true to your brand and your guests will follow. Emmy Squared focuses on authenticityand its work

In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef, the group explores the ongoing tension between data and gut instinctand how modern business leaders are learning to blend both. Whether youre managing a single restaurant or scaling a multi-

Every business owner has a story. But not every business owner tells it. For years, Shawn Walchef thought he was doing everything right on social media. He ran promotions, posted photos, celebrated milestones. But the more he learned, the more he realized

In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef, the group dives into how to maximize the experience of attending the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago. Whether its your first time walking the floor, your tenth time exhib

An IRS-enrolled agent with a masters degree in taxation, Zenon McHugh spent two decades helping other small businesses navigate payroll, real estate deals, and tax planning. But when a property opened up in his Chicago neighborhood, he saw an opportunity

In this session ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef,the group dives into the meaning behind business milestones and why most people dont celebrate them enough. Whether its opening your first restaurant, hitting a round-number anniversary, or

Running a great restaurant in 2024 takes more than good food. According to Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ Media, it takes storytelling, tech savvy, and a willingness to unlearn everything you thought you knew about hospitality. The traditional restau

In this session, we explore the power of nostalgia marketing and why tapping into the past can be a strategic advantage for entrepreneurs, restaurant operators, and hospitality professionals. In this episode ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef,

Albi Zogaj didnt wait for permission to start telling his storyhe just hit record. The San Antonio-based restaurateur, who co-founded Albi Italian Kitchen with his mother, is proving that you dont need a fancy production studio to build a real media br

In this session, we explore the impact of location selection and why making strategic real estate decisions is essential for entrepreneurs, restaurant operators, and hospitality professionals. In this episode ofRising Tides Live, hosted byShawn Walchef,