Culture is what you do, not what you say. Taylor Scott explains the damage done when leadership actions don’t match company values, and how to avoid it. Takeaways: Align your actions with your stated values Build credibility through consistency Earn trust by following through with integrity Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, profitable businesses. To g...
Aug 21, 2025•2 min•Ep. 135
Taylor Scott unpacks the self-determination theory and how it fuels performance. Compassionate leadership isn’t soft, it’s strategic. Takeaways: Promote autonomy, competence, and community to boost motivation Understand what drives high-performing hospitality teams Encourage with intention to create lasting impact Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sustainable, pro...
Aug 20, 2025•4 min•Ep. 134
Taylor Scott explains how small but meaningful recognition can create a sense of belonging and motivate teams to stay engaged. Leaders who speak to their team’s values win trust and loyalty. Takeaways: Recognize when team members live your values Reinforce culture by showing people how they belong Create belonging by acknowledging what makes people valuable Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where in...
Aug 19, 2025•2 min•Ep. 133
Learn why emotional connection is the foundation of effective leadership. Taylor Scott shares the six virtues of leading with hospitality and how they apply in the day-to-day life of operators and managers. Takeaways: Commit to connection before offering direction Practice self-awareness and purpose to build emotional intelligence Coach more effectively by showing up with presence and storytelling Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a communi...
Aug 18, 2025•4 min•Ep. 132
Taylor Scott breaks down what it truly means to lead with hospitality through action, emotion, and connection. He shares how great leadership mirrors the best guest experiences, driving loyalty and engagement through intentional service. Takeaways: Mirror the emotional connection of great hospitality in your leadership Lead by being human, emotionally connected, and service-driven Treat your team the way you treat guests to build loyalty Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders lik...
Aug 15, 2025•2 min•Ep. 131
It’s time to stop focusing on what’s broken and start building what’s next. Chef Matt Jennings reframes restaurant culture as a place of growth, creativity, and real opportunity for future leaders. Takeaways: Recognize hospitality as a space for career and personal development Make leadership development part of your systems Create workplaces that feel good and function well Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality profe...
Aug 14, 2025•4 min•Ep. 130
Chef Matt Jennings discusses how aligning your passion, purpose, and process is the foundation of sustainable hospitality leadership, and what MAJC is doing to make that a reality for more operators. Takeaways: Reground your business in what matters most to you Create systems that translate passion into repeatable outcomes Build long-term leadership skills beyond the kitchen or front-of-house Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of...
Aug 13, 2025•1 min•Ep. 129
Hospitality leadership is evolving, and chef Matt Jennings believes the next generation of leaders needs to listen more than they speak. This episode explores what true leadership looks like today. Takeaways: Shift from top-down commands to active listening and support Redesign hospitality systems to attract and retain younger talent Lead with empathy to build better, stronger restaurant teams Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community o...
Aug 12, 2025•2 min•Ep. 128
Chef Matt Jennings shares two major industry trends he’s watching closely: shifting civic policies affecting local restaurants and ongoing challenges around staffing. Takeaways: Watch how local regulations affect restaurant operations and margins Adjust hiring and training for a younger, less experienced workforce Build systems that support your team, including undocumented workers Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitalit...
Aug 11, 2025•3 min•Ep. 127
In this episode, chef Matt Jennings breaks down what makes MAJC’s Expert Sessions so valuable, and why live access to industry leaders is changing the game for operators. Takeaways: Learn from experts in finance, HR, sustainability, wellness, and more Interact live with top operators and hospitality leaders Use Expert Sessions as a professional development resource for both you and your team Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of ...
Aug 08, 2025•3 min•Ep. 126
Chef Matt Jennings shares what makes Office Hours inside the MAJC community so powerful, and why real-time, judgment-free conversations are helping operators grow faster and feel less alone. Takeaways: Create space for tough, honest business conversations Learn directly from trusted experts in HR, finance, and operations Make weekly problem-solving a leadership habit Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals...
Aug 07, 2025•4 min•Ep. 125
What does the MAJC community offer? Chef Matt Jennings walks through the tools, relationships, and shared values that make this platform different. Takeaways: Find peer support across operations, finance, HR, and more Learn from others’ wins and mistakes to shorten your path Access exclusive tools and guidance designed for hospitality leaders Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tool...
Aug 06, 2025•3 min•Ep. 124
Why did chef Matt Jennings co-found MAJC? In this episode, he shares the personal experiences that inspired him to build a hospitality community, and what operators actually need right now. Takeaways: Support operators facing burnout, uncertainty, and isolation Combine systems, creativity, and technology in one space Build solutions that scale without losing the human element Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality prof...
Aug 05, 2025•4 min•Ep. 123
If it feels like your restaurant is running you, you’re not alone. Chef Matt Jennings offers strategies for stepping back, assessing, and regaining control of your time and energy. Takeaways: Schedule weekly strategy sessions, even if just two hours Use team input to evaluate what’s working and what’s not Evaluate projects that drain energy without adequate return Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, w...
Aug 04, 2025•7 min•Ep. 122
Chaos is part of the job, but alignment is a choice. Chef Matt Jennings shares why clear communication and smart systems are the foundation of every resilient team. Takeaways: Standardize team communication tools across shifts and roles Be explicit about your vision instead of assuming team alignment Build architecture before expecting results Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and too...
Aug 01, 2025•3 min•Ep. 121
Every operator talks about systems, but how do you build ones that actually work? Chef Matt Jennings shares how his restaurants handled everything from R&D to bar maintenance. Takeaways: Document and iterate on R&D processes with full team input Design systems with ownership in mind, not just compliance Layer small systems to create a culture of accountability Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professional...
Jul 31, 2025•3 min•Ep. 120
Chef Matt Jennings opens up about the hardest decision of his career: closing his restaurant. This deeply personal episode explores what led to that moment, and what other operators can learn from it. Takeaways: Monitor cash flow, receivables, and market fit Know when your well-being needs to come first Transparency with yourself is a leadership skill Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights...
Jul 30, 2025•5 min•Ep. 119
Chef Matt Jennings reflects on a leadership lesson learned the hard way, and how it changed how he supports and empowers his team. If you’ve struggled with micromanagement or middle-manager turnover, this one’s for you. Takeaways: Balance trust and accountability with systems Avoid giving too much freedom without adequate tools Middle managers need support and structure to thrive Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality ...
Jul 29, 2025•4 min•Ep. 118
What do you wish someone told you before opening your first restaurant? Chef Matt Jennings shares his answer, and it’s not what you’d expect. This episode highlights the behind-the-scenes logistics most new operators miss. Takeaways: Build a trusted network of service providers before you open Create real feedback loops with guests to stay adaptable Let market demand, not ego, guide your decisions Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a communi...
Jul 28, 2025•2 min•Ep. 117
In this kickoff episode, Carolyn Grillo flips the script and interviews chef Matt Jennings, co-founder of MAJC, about his journey from acclaimed chef to founder. Matt opens up about what he got wrong in business and how that experience shaped his mission today. Takeaways: Prioritize business systems and financial literacy from day one Profitability requires structure, not just passion and creativity Proactive leadership beats reactive decision-making Want to connect directly with industry though...
Jul 25, 2025•5 min•Ep. 116
From debt to equity to grants, Lauren Fernandez breaks down the full range of capital options restaurant founders can access and how to match funding to your stage of growth. Takeaways: Align capital choices to your stage, control preferences, and risk tolerance Explore debt, SBA loans, angel investors, and private equity options Don’t overlook grants, fellowships, and other non-dilutive capital sources Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a c...
Jul 24, 2025•6 min•Ep. 115
Equity is a powerful tool. Lauren Fernandez explains how founders can share upside while protecting ownership and preserving future capital flexibility. Takeaways: Grant equity carefully and only when it drives real retention Use employee profit pools or profit shares instead of voting shares Create internal, flexible programs that align with long-term goals Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where i...
Jul 23, 2025•4 min•Ep. 114
Money and management aren’t the same thing. Lauren Fernandez explains how to define operating roles, accountability, and partnership structure from day one. Takeaways: Clarify responsibilities and job titles inside your partnership Distinguish between passive investors and operational partners Document reporting lines, hiring authority, and accountability systems Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, wh...
Jul 22, 2025•2 min•Ep. 113
Lauren Fernandez outlines the most common legal mistakes operators make during fundraising and how to protect your business, your future, and your team. Takeaways: Separate investment agreements from promised services or perks Do due diligence on your investors, including background checks Include buy-sell clauses, dispute resolutions, and exit strategies in agreements Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professiona...
Jul 21, 2025•4 min•Ep. 112
Lauren Fernandez shares why it’s critical to evaluate people, not just capital, before you take investor money—and how to avoid costly partner mistakes. Takeaways: Prioritize integrity, transparency, and humility in partner selection Assess how a new partner would support your team long-term Set clear personal filters to guide decisions Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help...
Jul 18, 2025•3 min•Ep. 111
Lauren Fernandez breaks down how to structure multiple entities inside a growing restaurant group, and why it’s critical for managing risk, minimizing taxes, and planning for expansion. Takeaways: Form parent LLCs with separate operating subsidiaries Separate intellectual property, franchising, and manufacturing entities Use ownership structures to insulate risk and simplify future deals Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hosp...
Jul 17, 2025•2 min•Ep. 110
Lauren Fernandez reveals the most common and most expensive scaling error operators make: choosing the wrong location. Takeaways: Vet real estate decisions with full data and on-the-ground observation Understand customer patterns beyond income levels Use brokers, site analytics, and franchise disclosure documents as resources Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive sust...
Jul 16, 2025•3 min•Ep. 109
Your grand opening plan can make or break a new restaurant launch. Lauren Fernandez shares her blueprint for generating buzz and driving momentum. Takeaways: Build a 90-day marketing ramp-up before opening day Create organic local buzz through grassroots outreach Avoid opening to an empty parking lot by building social proof early Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive...
Jul 15, 2025•3 min•Ep. 108
As you expand locations and partnerships, brand consistency becomes everything. Lauren Fernandez breaks down how to define, document, and protect your brand DNA. Takeaways: Define your mission, tone, and core brand personality Go beyond basic brand books to capture voice, style, and story Align all vendors, agencies, and teams to one clear brand vision Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insight...
Jul 14, 2025•3 min•Ep. 107
Franchising doesn’t mean losing your soul or your brand. Lauren Fernandez reframes franchising as mentorship and culture-building done right. Takeaways: Coach early franchisees as extensions of your internal team Set high standards with first franchise partners Build brand loyalty and peer accountability through franchise culture Want to connect directly with industry thought leaders like today’s guest? MAJC has built a community of hospitality professionals, where insights and tools help drive ...
Jul 11, 2025•3 min•Ep. 106
