Last month, we took our kids to Florida on Spring Break. Even though it was chilly and windy at the beach, our enthusiasm wasn’t dampened. We had a great time! In fact, one of my favorite experiences was discovering a newly opened Italian restaurant. Almost every day, my wife and I ventured there for lunch, making a beeline to the counter across from where the chef’s were working. The executive chef was from Laos, while the other hailed from my wife’s home state of Oklahoma. In the same way big mountains create their own weather, these chefs came together to create a unique and inviting atmosphere. It was a treat listening to their stories, and being given samples of what they were making. Their fresh mozzarella is out of this world! Our corner of that counter felt like their home, and we felt welcome in their kitchen. We knew the restaurant had great food, but what we always look for is that special ”it” factor.
On one occasion, I became amused listening to my wife rave on and on about their Italian Chopped Salad. To me, It looked like any other salad. After all, she orders salads all the time! But... there was something so minutely different with this one, yet it made a sizable impression on my wife. She simply loved it! After a few minutes of pondering, she finally asked Luke (our talkative chef from Oklahoma) about the ingredients. He smiled, as if to acknowledge that someone finally appreciated the details of his work... then halfway whispered his secret ingredient, while showing her how he incorporated it in the salad. One small ingredient. One big impact.
I’m not a chef by any stretch of the imagination, but I appreciate good food and excellent restaurants. If you have a favorite restaurant, it doesn’t take long to realize their most important ingredients are the people behind the product. Even the finest restaurants can have the most exquisite food - but who cares, if the staff isn’t willing to use their own blend of special ingredients to make something good... great, relational, interesting and fun.
It’s the same principle for all industries and businesses. An example where I see this excellence is my wife’s company, Seoul Mamas. I know very little about Korean beauty products (except to not put extra hand lotion all over my face), but am continually amazed at how Geri and her business partners from Seoul and Memphis blend their cultures, unique ingredients and talents towards their pursuit of excellence as a team. More impressive is that they have fun at it! It’s very similar to the chef’s at the restaurant. I hope Smile Squared is thought of in this way. Since 2011, we’ve been blessed to hire and work with an enthusiastic crew, while partnering with organizations striving to add their special blend of ingredients on a daily basis.
Are you curious about the Italian Chopped Salad? Don’t tell anyone, but Luke’s secret ingredient is ... We’ll I better not tell, but If you like desserts, try the tiramisu. I’ve never been a fan of that particular dessert until now. It always tastes too much like coffee., but if you pay attention, you might see Luke grab a large hunk of milk chocolate from below the counter, then freshly grate some on top. Yum, is all I can say!
Maybe you don’t own a restaurant, work for a company on a social mission, or start an international beauty company... but we all have the capacity to go through life with enthusiasm and a smile. It’s simple ingredients like these that you’ll be known for. Take my word for it. As long as we travel to our favorite beaches in Florida, we’ll be heading straight for Luke and the crew at Amici 30A. There’s too many special ingredients there to pass it up! Now go find your own ingredients and be awesome!
Thanks for reading - Eric