S1E1 - What it takes to go from Bartender to Owner with Kevin Demers - Owner of The Coldroom, EL PEQUEÑO BAR & The Parliament

Episode Note

In this episode of Wisking It All, host Angelo Esposito interviews Kevin Demers, owner of The Cold Room, El Pequeno Bar, and Parliament in Montreal. They discuss the passion and inspiration behind Kevin's journey in the hospitality industry, from starting as a bartender to becoming a successful bar owner. Kevin shares his experiences working in the industry, the challenges of owning a bar, and the importance of creating a unique and memorable customer experience. He also talks about his latest project, a retail beer store, which was born out of the need to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Takeaways

• Hospitality professionals often enter the industry out of passion and love for the craft.
• Owning a bar requires a deep understanding of business, including costing, inventory, administration, and hiring.
• Creating a unique and memorable customer experience is crucial for the success of a bar.
• The hospitality industry provides opportunities for personal growth and advancement, but it's important to find mentors and invest in oneself.
• Adapting to challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, requires creativity and diversification of business strategies.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Background 05:05 Combining Entrepreneurship and Storytelling 10:16 Transitioning from Bartender to Bar Owner 16:23 Creating a Unique and Memorable Customer Experience 27:46 Parliament: Celebrating Canadian Multiculturalism 32:05 Diversifying Business Strategies During COVID-19