This episode explores the vital (and often tenuous) relationship between ownership and management in restaurants. It's kind of a catch 22 - owners need talented leaders who can operate the concept well, make decisions in real time, and build teams. In order to run a concept well, operators need owners who trust them to do all of those things - and this relationship based on mutual trust and respect takes time to develop. In this episode of Her Seat at the Table, host Sara Abernethy is joined by two dynamic hospitality leaders: Maggie Kane, founder and executive director of A Place at the Table, and Ashley Malinowski, vice president of food and beverage at Early Bird Night Owl on what makes this key dynamic function well.

Sara Abernethy chats with Tiffany Welton, Owner and Founder of RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar in Cary, NC. Yes, THAT RBF! Check out RBF's upcoming events and their WILDLY impressive list of bubbles by the glass at www.rbf.wine

If you're someone considering leaving corporate and taking the plunge into a hospitality business - this conversation is for you.
Tiffany shares the real deal about taking the plunge, her unique concept focusing on champagne, and how she's beautifully navigated her first few (grueling but gratifying) years in business.

Tiffany Welton is the owner of RBF, Your Authentic Champagne Bar, a new establishment in Downtown Cary. Tiffany has 20 years of leadership experience in a range of industries from organ and tissue donation, healthcare, and IT as well as a top performer in business development within Fortune 500 companies. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Business from Oregon State University and a Master's Degree from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. After years of attempting to make an impact on culture, women's equality and treatment in the workplace, and acceptance of emotions and authenticity into careers and advancement, she realized this wasn't how she wanted to make an effective change. Hence, the beginnings of RBF.

With over two decades of client partnership and customer experience focus, she has a natural ability to understand the big picture, implement effective strategies, align people with what they value, and create a comfortability wherever she is. Whether it’s in a meeting, event, or hosting people in her own home, she is acutely aware of how to adjust to the emotion in the room.

Yes, RBF means Resting Bitch Face. Tiffany has always had a dream of owning a wine bar that is focused on authenticity, the emotional safety of others, and creating a place to be seen and heard. She lives for connection, community, sharing stories, talking about feelings, and how to keep growing and developing in a meaningful way.

She truly believes that the most beautiful life moments happen when you sit with a friend or a stranger and simply talk about your experiences, but the real magic happens when your horizons expand, you feel understood, and you don’t feel alone.

Tiffany is also passionate about partnering with organizations in the community that supports women's rights and reproductive freedom, victims of domestic and sexual abuse, the stop of human trafficking, LGBTQIA+ rights and Trans Health initiatives as well as anything to support animals. If she is late, it is because she saw a dog.

Tiffany is known for her ability to uplift, tell stories, encourage others to share about themselves, and always welcome you with a glass of champagne.

What does it look like to build a business that reflects your values—and still make room for joy, family, and rest?

In this episode of Her Seat at the Table, host Sara Abernethy sits down with Petrushka Bazin Larsen, co-founder of Sugar Hill Creamery, Harlem’s first family-owned handmade ice cream shop. Petrushka shares her journey as an entrepreneur, mom of three, and community builder, opening up about the realities of running a business with her husband, navigating burnout, and redefining success on her own terms. From the early days of pop-ups to building a multi-location brand rooted in culture and connection, Petrushka’s story is a powerful reminder that evolving doesn’t mean giving up—it means growing with intention.

Check out Sugar Hill Creamery at www.sugarhillcreamery.com

Sara Abernethy chats with Sandi Kronick, Founder & CEO of Happy Dirt, a Durham-based company that is creating sustainable food systems, by not only being a release valve for farmers, but providing a much more direct route right to your table. In this episode, Sara and Sandi jam on how the importance of how staying curious played such a vital role in Sandi's longevity in the food space, what sustainability can really look like for farmers (and it includes self care!) and modeling healthy and sustainable practices in leadership. This is a big one!

If you're tuning in at the time of this episodes' release and planning on attending the FAB Conference in June 2025, make sure you don't miss Sandi as a featured speaker!

Check out Happy Dirt's amazing work and where you can buy their produce at www.happydirt.com.

What does it really take to evolve and thrive as a woman in hospitality? In this special live episode of Her Seat at the Table, we bring you Evolving in Hospitality: A Woman’s Perspective, a powerful panel conversation recorded at Glasshouse Kitchen in RTP. Host Sara Abernethy is joined by industry leaders Samantha Kotey, Vivian Howard, Caroline Morrison, and Preeti Waas for a candid discussion on what it truly means to evolve in the world of hospitality. From navigating burnout and shifting business models to redefining success and embracing personal growth, these women share hard-earned wisdom, heartfelt stories, and the realities of leading with purpose in an ever-changing industry.