33. How We Started Our Café after Corporate Careers with Lynn Hamlin-LeMaster and Bill LeMaster
Lynn Hamlin-LeMaster and Bill LeMaster shared their journey of transitioning from corporate careers to owning Lahani's Eat Local Cafe in Port Townsend, Washington. After nearly 20 years in business, Lynn and Bill have retired and reflected back on their successful endeavor.
Lynn explained their restaurant's philosophy was to cook with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients within a 75-mile radius, which allowed them to adapt their menu based on availability and cost. She described how this approach helped establish strong relationships with local farmers and provided customers with fresh, high-quality products. Lynn also shared that they offered chocolate as a profitable side business.
They discussed the financial challenges of running a restaurant and emphasized the importance of:
- understanding their audience
- cash flow management
- labor costs
- leveraging local media and community involvement to build a positive reputation
- the importance of adapting to market conditions
- reviewing their business plan annually.
In this revealing interview, Lynn & Bill added a lot of fuel to the conversation about the importance of lifestyle choices over high-paying corporate jobs.
Also mentioned during the show:
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