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

Why More Money Isn’t the Answer (And What Is)

High turnover is draining your business—but here’s the good news: keeping great employees doesn’t always mean paying more.

In this episode of The Unlocked Potential Podcast, I sit down with Tom Leung, former Google and YouTube product leader and host of Fireside PM, to break down what really keeps people loyal, engaged, and motivated—especially in small and blue-collar businesses. Whether you run a construction crew, a restaurant, or a manufacturing operation, this episode is packed with practical, advice to help you build stronger teams, keep your best people longer, and become a better leader.

We dive into:

🔹 Why people actually leave jobs (hint: it’s rarely just about money)

🔹 How to build a workplace people don’t want to walk away from

🔹 The truth about motivation vs. accountability

🔹 What small businesses can learn from Google’s leadership practices

🔹 How to spot disengagement early—and fix it

🔹 Why growth, feedback, and feeling valued matter more than another dollar

Tom shares battle-tested insights from startups to Big Tech, and shows how to apply them in any work environment—no ping pong tables or tech jargon required.

🔧 If you’re a business owner struggling with retention, team morale, or leadership burnout—this one’s for you.

Brought to you by:

TANDA - Unlocking employee retention, productivity, and happiness https://www.tanda.io/

Where to find Tom:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toml/

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 for This Episode (DC Edition!)

If James Gunn can reboot Superman, you can definitely rethink how you lead your team.

💥This episode is all about ditching outdated playbooks and discovering your own leadership superpower — no cape required.

🦸‍♂️ Whether you’re a Man of Steel at work or just trying to avoid kryptonite (like high turnover), hit that like button, share it with your Justice League, and let’s build workplaces that actually work.

#DCFan #JamesGunnSuperman #LeadershipReboot #ModernLeadership #EmployeeRetention #workplaceculture #leadwithpurpose #retentionstrategies

High employee turnover is draining your business more than you realize. When workers don’t feel valued or safe speaking up, they disengage—or worse, they leave.In this episode, Trista Taylor, founder & CEO of Regroup and former leader of Google’s Global Team Development program, shares how trust and psychological safety can reduce turnover, boost morale, and improve productivity.🔹 Why turnover is costing you thousands in lost time and productivity🔹 The #1 reason employees check out (and how to fix it)🔹 How great leaders build loyal teams that stick around🔹 Why “Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions” is hurting your businessIf you’re struggling with retention, engagement, or employee morale, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you turn things around.🎧 Subscribe & listen now to start keeping your best employees longer!

Brought to you by:

TANDA - Unlocking employee retention, productivity, and happiness https://www.tanda.io

Where to find Trista:

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

Regroup: https://www.regroup.co/

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

Hi—I’m Jesse Chor, Founder and CEO of TANDA, host of the Unlocked Potential Podcast. I’m passionate about technology and ideas that unlock human potential within companies. I’ve always been driven to build the kind of team and culture I’ve wanted to be a part of. On YouTube, I share conversations and insights on how technology is transforming the way we inspire and drive extraordinary achievements.My goal is to help founders and CEOs invest in their skilled teams by learning from other great founders and leaders. If that resonates with you, subscribe for more!

In this episode of Unlocked Potential, I sit down with Michael Allen, co-founder of Together Chicago, to explore how communities can break free from cycles of violence and poverty.

We dive into:

✅ The root causes of gun violence and the role of generational poverty

✅ How financial literacy and economic opportunity create lasting change

✅ The power of mentorship, community, and exposure to new experiences

✅ Why hope and delayed gratification are key to escaping poverty

✅ How businesses and nonprofits can work together for impact

✅ The innovative ways Together Chicago is reducing violence and building thriving neighborhoods

✅ What startups can learn from nonprofits about mission-driven leadership and building high-retention teams

This is a powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, and the tangible steps we can take to transform lives. Don’t miss it!

🎙️Brought to you by:

TANDA - Unlocking employee retention, productivity, and happiness https://www.tanda.io

Where to find Michael:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-allen-a2358243

https://togetherchicago.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 for this episode!I’m rocking a t-shirt from Café Joyeux, an amazing nonprofit coffee shop that creates meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their mission is all about inclusion, dignity, and empowerment—just like the themes in today’s conversation. If you’re ever in New York or beyond, check them out! ☕💙👉

Learn more about Café Joyeux: https://us.cafejoyeux.com/