"Failing is just an opportunity to learn more." - Travis Masiero, Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House

Show notes

From Doubt to Drive - Entrepreneurs Only

This week, we’re speaking with Travis Masiero, Founder & CEO of Luke’s Oyster Bar & Chop House and four other restaurants in Singapore and Japan (https://tmrg.com.sg/). Born in the U.S. and educated at Cornell University, Travis made the bold move to the other side of the world to open restaurants. We’ll be discussing the challenges he faced as a chef starting a business, particularly the difficulties of choosing the wrong partners and how he regained trust to form a successful new partnership. Travis shares how being in the right place at the right time can lead to a thriving business, and how his belief in the people of Singapore and their quality of work played a key role in his success.

Our key takeaways from our conversation are:

• Uncertainty and confidence don’t need to be contradictory.
• Sometimes the first step is uncomfortable, but you just have to make the first effort and start the process.
• Go out, just do it, and get your foot in the door.
• Choosing a business partner is as important as choosing a life partner.
• Trust your instincts when it comes to choosing partners.
• A strong partnership goes beyond friendship.
• Enduring incredible pain, suffering, and physical challenges is not just a skill but a business trait.
• People around you will benefit from your own happiness.
• Work hard and set the example for everyone else – go all in.
• Push yourself to the limits when it comes to learning new things, and don’t be afraid.
• If you can do something well, you can do other things well.
• Going from one to two restaurants is the biggest leap in growth.
• Human capital over financial capital.
• It’s not a job, it’s a lifestyle. There’s a lot of sacrifice, which can weigh heavily on the people around you.
• You cannot replace energy and drive for moving forward.
• Finding a way around your ego can be extremely complicated.
• You’re not cooking for yourself; you’re cooking for your guests.
• In a crisis, take a step back, give yourself time, and gain perspective.
• Don’t make excuses for why you can’t do it.
• Life isn’t perfect—you just need to get out and do it.
• Failing is just an opportunity to learn more.
• Whatever happens, it’s not the end of the world.

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