Soar to Success February 2020

Today Shila and Kay break down their business into three operating groups, the restaurant group, the franchise company and their personal brand. The main premise, developed in their very first restaurant remains the same, “Squeeze In’s main concept is that it’s a place where all people are welcome. It’s a place of expression and great food. Our employees are incredible, plus we nurture an environment where they can express themselves fully. Guests know they will get a great experience and be taken care of. It has been wonderful to see communities embrace this main idea and continue to return.” The Impact of John Maxwell Trainings In 2013, the girls’ mother, Misty Young, always hungry for new learning and the leader of the company at the time, attended a John Maxwell Training workshop and her overall concept of management completely changed. “Shewassodifferent.Momwent toaconference and came back a completely different person. People became the main focus, with systems and efficiencies taking a back seat. We joked that Mom joined a cult.” The company went from processes, systems and efficiencies to focus on people, systems and efficiencies. It was a core turning point in bringing the awareness that the culture and how they treated their people was really key, a concept that Kay and Shila had always embraced. Just like most small businesses, it wasn’t just an upward trajectory to success though. The company had grown to four restaurants but was barely making payroll. The growth came too fast and they found themselves strapped for cash. Shila and Kay’s parents had to move in with Shila and her husband for a time. They were taking too many chances, betting it all, which is not a sound strategy for long-term sustainability. The John Maxwell training allowed them to slow down and focus on people, which catapulted “Kay and Shila have been part of the John Maxwell Team since 2015 and were an integral part of our massive growth both in membership and our social media platforms.” John Maxwell