In this episode of Unlocked Potential, I sit down with Henry Shi, co-founder of Super.com, to dive deep into how he scaled his company to over 50 million users and $150 million in annual revenue — and why staying lean, fast, and customer-focused made all the difference.

Henry shares the real behind-the-scenes stories:

🔹 Why a single billboard can build billion-dollar awareness

🔹 How to survive losing 80% of your revenue overnight (and come out stronger)

🔹 How AI is transforming opportunities for operators — not just tech giants

🔹 Lessons for owners and managers on building teams that don’t slow down as you scale

🔹 Why staying close to your customer matters more than ever — especially for frontline industries like hospitality, construction, and restaurants.

Whether you're an owner, operator, or future founder, this conversation is packed with practical, actionable insights to help you lead smarter, empower your teams, and embrace the future with confidence.

🎙️ Brought to you by

TANDA – Empowering frontline teams through better scheduling, onboarding, and performance tools.

www.tanda.io

🔗 Where to find Henry

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrythe9th/

Super.com: https://www.super.com/

🔗 Where to find Jesse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessechor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessechor/

X: https://x.com/jessechor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesse.chor

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessechor

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jessechor

🎉 Shoutout of the Week

Shouting out Steph Curry—because apparently being the greatest shooter of all time wasn’t enough. Now he’s backing Super.com, a startup helping everyday people save money and build credit. From deep threes to deep impact, Steph’s showing up where it matters. 🔥

#Leadership #StartupGrowth #FrontlineTeams #AIForBusiness #BusinessExecution #HenryShi #SuperDotCom #Tanda #EmpowerYourTeam #OwnerOperator #UnlockedPotential #BusinessPodcast

Most people think opening a restaurant is about passion and food. But the truth is, the ones who survive—and thrive—are master operators, leaders, and builders of unstoppable teams.In this episode, I sit down with Steve Rosen, longtime Seattle restaurant owner and founder of concept restaurants like Blue C Sushi, Rocket Taco, and Elemental Pizza, to talk about how to actually make a restaurant succeed in today’s wild economy—and why leading a frontline team well might be the single greatest advantage you have.Steve didn’t plan on being a restaurateur. In fact, he started in tech and filmmaking. But a spur-of-the-moment decision led him into the restaurant world, where he learned firsthand how to balance creativity with execution—and how to stay resilient through boom times, recessions, and now, a post-COVID landscape.We dive into: 🔹 How customer habits have changed forever after COVID—and what it means for operators🔹 Why staffing challenges aren’t just a labor problem (they’re a leadership problem)🔹 What restaurant teams really need to stay loyal (hint: it’s not just money)🔹 How rising costs are pushing operators to rethink pricing, service, and value🔹 The hidden cost of broken culture—and how the best teams are built🔹 How tech and AI might reshape hospitality (but people still win hearts)🔹 What smart owners are doing now to prep for the next economic shiftFrom pineapple-on-pizza debates to surviving your first cash till panic, this episode gets real about the highs and lows of hospitality—and why restaurants, when done right, still have the power to change lives.🛠️ Whether you're running your first location, expanding your brand, or dreaming of opening your own place, this conversation is packed with tangible takeaways you can use right now.🎙️ Brought to you byTANDA – Empowering frontline teams through better scheduling, onboarding, and performance tools.www.tanda.io🔗 Where to find SteveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-rosen-9079163/Rocket Taco: https://rocket-taco.com/Elemental Pizza: https://elementalpizza.com/BittyFish Sushi: https://www.bittyfishsushi.com/🔗 Where to find JesseLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessechor/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessechor/X: https://x.com/jessechorFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesse.chorThreads: https://www.threads.net/@jessechorLinktree: https://linktr.ee/jessechor🎉 Shoutout of the WeekRockin’ the Marshawn Lynch jersey today — because if you’re gonna talk leadership, execution, and owning your lane, you might as well channel Beast Mode. Appreciate you, Marshawn — for showing everybody how to move different and stay true. 🏈#RestaurantLeadership #HospitalityOperators #TeamCulture #RetentionStrategy #RestaurantStaffing #FutureofDining #RestaurantResilience #Tanda #UnlockedPotentialPodcast #RestaurantLife #OwnerOperator

Most people think restaurant work is a stepping stone—something you do before your “real” career starts. But what if it’s actually one of the best launchpads for leadership out there?

In this episode, I talk with Anthony Anton, President & CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association, about the restaurant industry’s massive impact on careers, culture, and the economy—and why it’s time we started treating hospitality like the powerhouse it really is.

Anthony grew up in a Greek restaurant family, fell into politics, and ended up leading one of the most respected hospitality associations in the country. We talk about what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and how restaurants are navigating staffing shortages, rising costs, and the future of tech and AI.

We break down:

🔹 Why restaurant careers still matter—and why they’re misunderstood

🔹 The hidden stress of understaffed teams (and how it hurts business)

🔹 What leaders can do when people just stop showing up

🔹 The cultural shift in how we lead frontline teams

🔹 How AI and automation can enhance hospitality (not replace it)

🔹 What operators can do today to prep for tomorrow’s recession

From pineapple-on-pizza debates to how McDonald’s shaped my leadership style (yes, I still have my name tag), this episode dives deep into what makes hospitality special—and how we can build a future where restaurant work gets the respect it deserves.

🛠️ If you’ve ever worked a shift, led a team, or eaten out (so, everyone), this one’s for you.

🎙️ Brought to you by

TANDA – Empowering frontline teams through better scheduling, onboarding, and performance tools.

www.tanda.io

🔗 Where to find Anthony

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyanton/

Washington Hospitality Association: https://wahospitality.org/

🔗 Where to find JesseLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessechor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessechor/

X: https://x.com/jessechor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jesse.chor

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jessechor

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/jessechor

🎉 Shoutout of the Week

Shoutout to the 12th Man of the Seattle Seahawks—the loudest, proudest fan base in football and a cornerstone of Pacific Northwest culture. I wore my #12 jersey for this episode, and let’s be honest… you can’t talk Seattle without shouting out the Hawks. That energy? It’s real. Go Hawks! 💙💚

#HospitalityLeadership #RestaurantOwners #FrontlineCulture #TeamRetention #AIinHospitality #AmericanDream #WorkforceStrategy #Tanda #UnlockedPotentialPodcast #WAHospitality #RestaurantLife