Leticia Skai Young (LoLo’s Seafood Shack) on Building Community — Restaurant Influencers (RI003) | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

In this episode of the Restaurant Influencers podcast, Leticia Skai Young shares her experience as the owner of Lolo's Seafood Shack in Harlem, New York City, discussing the challenges of running a restaurant, the impact of COVID-19, and the importance of storytelling and using technology tools like Toast POS.

Key Insights

• 😋 Opening and running a restaurant requires overcoming challenges and obstacles, including financial investments, labor shortages, and rising food costs.
• 🥳 COVID-19 has drastically changed the restaurant landscape, leading to increased reliance on takeout and delivery orders and the need to navigate third-party platforms.
• 🔨 Technology tools like Toast POS can help streamline operations and increase profitability.
• 💪 Giving back to the community is an important aspect of running a restaurant, and building strong relationships with mentors and mentees can have a significant impact on success.
• 👨‍💼 Personal wellness practices, such as meditation and breathwork, can help restaurant owners and entrepreneurs cope with the demands of their businesses.
• 🖐️ Social media and digital marketing play a crucial role in storytelling and driving online orders for restaurants.

Transcript

On the new Restaurant Influencers podcast, you will learn how to tell your story online and how to be found. We have teamed up with Entreprenuer magazine, Yelp and Toast, our primary Point of Sale partner, to bring you this weekly video series. Please subscribe so you do not miss an episode. And if you'd like to learn more about the show, visit us ... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Leticia Skai Young and her husband to open Lolo's Seafood Shack?

Leticia and her husband were inspired by their time living in the British West Indies and their roots in the Caribbean. They wanted to bring a little bit of that flavor to Harlem, their hometown.

Q: How has COVID-19 changed the restaurant landscape for Lolo's Seafood Shack?

COVID-19 has significantly impacted Lolo's Seafood Shack, forcing them to rely more on takeout and delivery orders. This shift has led to increased reliance on third-party platforms, which has affected their bottom line.

Q: What technology tools is Lolo's Seafood Shack using to streamline operations?

Lolo's Seafood Shack recently migrated to the Toast POS system, allowing for more direct integration with their website and reducing reliance on third-party platforms. They are also focusing on increasing SEO on their website to drive more native orders.

Q: How has Leticia Skai Young been giving back to the community during the pandemic?

Lolo's Seafood Shack partnered with the World Central Kitchen to provide meals to seniors and food-insecure individuals during the height of the pandemic. They also made meals for their local precinct on 9/11 as a gesture of gratitude for their service.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Leticia Skai Young is the owner of Lolo's Seafood Shack in Harlem, New York City, which she opened with her husband in 2014.

• Lolo's Seafood Shack is a Cape Cod and Caribbean mashup, inspired by their time in the British West Indies.

• Leticia discusses the challenges faced by the restaurant industry, including labor shortages, rising food costs, and the increasing reliance on third-party platforms for online orders.