Business Ideas
Money Matters: Rainforest Cafe Founder Gives Tips on Starting Business
Dec 2nd
If you pick Steven Schussler’s brain, the entrepreneur, founder of Rainforest Cafe, and author says it’s a jungle in there.
“Everyone told me ‘great idea!, call us when you’re open’. You could see eyes rolling behind their head.”
He grew used to skeptics when describing his themed restaurant, thick with tropical birds and featuring endangered species.
“It becomes easier to tell other people about it,” says Schussler. “Then you need to create a business plan, that you use as a guide. Anybody that wants to own a business that doesn’t have a business plan is making a huge mistake.”
As part of Schussler’s plan he decided investors needed to see to believe in his vision. He transformed his home into his idea of the Rainforest Cafe, by holding a dinner party one evening.
“They would call me two to three hours after leaving my home and asked me if I actually live there. They couldn’t believe that I would immerse myself into a concept and I put that much into it.”
He says his display of personality and persistence is what eventually hooked investors. Schussler adds, there are also two must-have characteristics of new entrepreneurs.
“You need to bring concept to fruition. Disney likes to say imagination is king, so it’s really important to embrace what you want to create then learn as much as you can about it. You need to become the expert in your field.”
His nugget of an idea developed into 45 restaurants. Now he’s helping inspire other entrepreneurs to paddle through those early rough waters, to reach smooth sailing ahead.
http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/content/money/matters/story/Money-Matters-Rainforest-cafe/A70DLoICREWH1RwfhIK4wQ.cspx
Steven Schussler Interviews Andy Lansing, President & CEO of Levy Restaurants in the Minnesota Business Back Talk December Issue
Dec 1st
Q&A With a Concession Stand Visionary by Steven Schussler.
Steven interviews Andy Lansing, President & CEO of Levy Restaurants in the Minnesota Business Back Talk December 2010 Issue.
An Innovative and award-winning company specializing in restaurants and premium sports and entertainment dining, including concessions at the Xcel Energy Center. Andy Lansing is a guy who understands partnership and leadership. Link here to read full interview…http://www.schusslercreative.com/press_articles.html
Business Cast – The Podcast for Entrepreneurs
Nov 30th
Business Cast – The Podcast for Entrepreneurs – Robert Gold and Andrew Brown…”Robert and I have interviewed dozens of business leaders, media insiders and business thought leaders. But, we’ve rarely spoken to an entrepreneur who has as much unbridled passion for entrepreneurialism as Steve Schussler. That‘s why for BusinessCast #177, we interviewed Steve who is best known for founding the wildly successful Rain Forest Cafe restaurant chain. Steve‘s newest venture is a book entitled, It‘s a Jungle in There that somehow effectively captures great stories of entrepreneurial daring, key lessons for today‘s business leaders and much of Steve‘s passion and homegrown wisdom.”
Listen to BusinessCast #177 and you will get a flavour for Steve‘s secrets of success.
Passion & Ambition
Nov 18th
Dear Mr. Steve Schussler,
My name is Dillon Nicely; I am currently 20 years old and am presently living in Newport Beach, California. Lately I’ve had trouble focusing and getting through classes at school. So I recently stopped going and have been trying to find a different approach or career I can follow through with. I have also been slacking at work as well and not performing to the best of my capabilities. My dream is to be my own boss like yourself and run my own business if possible. As of lately I’ve been really into Entrepreneur, Inc., and other magazines/books that give knowledgeable information regarding business. I came across your book It’s a Jungle in There and read the first few chapters. I got hooked immediately. It has truly given me a bigger motivation and willingness to do more with my ideas. Also I’ve turned around my performance at work and just got a promotion. I know that you should be driven yourself to get where you want. But there’s sometimes where you need some encouragement or insight from another man who made it like yourself. That’s what I loved about your book and the way you handled most situations. I personally just wanted to give you my thoughts on the book and what you’ve inspired me to do. I’m definitely going to recommend this book to others. I hope that you will be able to speak out in California sometime soon so that I could have a chance to hear you in person or even meet you. If not, thank you and hope you succeed in your next creative innovations.
Wish you the best,
Dillon Nicely
Marketing Yourself to Market Your Product
Nov 15th
Chapter 15 of my book, “It’s A Jungle In There” Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights, and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring1
Self-Examination Question: Do you consider (and take advantage of) the impact you have when selling your idea, product, or service?
Small Biz America with Steven Schussler It’s A Jungle In There
Nov 12th
Listen to this episode http://www.smallbizamerica.com/sbb/detail/its-a-jungle-in-there-with-steven-schussler/
ajungleintherebook.com/endorsements”>Donald Trump says, “His story is not only compelling, it’s fun, inspiring and full of sound business advice.”
Harvey Mackay says, “If anyone is king of the jungle, it’s Steven Schussler. Entertaining and inspiring, a must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs!” -#1 New York Times best-seller….
Without a college degree, Schussler became the CEO of a company twice named by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 100 fasted growing companies in America.
Here are some of the questions guiding our discussions:
1. You had some major challenges in the beginnings. Tell us about the process that lead to the success of RainForest Cafes…
2. You have said the importance of researching a new product or service concept is paramount to success. How does an entrepreneur approach the matter of getting market validation for a new concept?
3. So much of doing business is about relationships. Let’s talk about the power of a first impression. I think you have a story to share around this theme.
4. We’re sitting together in late 2010. What is your sense about the current business-startup environment. How can entrepreneurs overcome the tight credit markets and low consumer spending headwinds.
Greg Corombos and Rainforest Cafe Steven Schussler
Nov 11th
Greg Corombos and Rainforest Cafe founder Steven Schussler discuss the ideas, risks, ambition and personal qualities needed to be success entrepreneur. Hear more here click here
Steve Schussler is Walt Disney of Theme Restaurants
Nov 10th
Steve Schussler is Walt Disney of theme restaurants
Behind the scenes with Rainforest Cafe owner
By Rachel Hutton Wednesday, Nov 10 2010
http://www.citypages.com/2010-11-10/restaurants/steve-schussler-is-walt-disney-of-theme-restaurants/
To view photos of the tour go to: http://tcb.citypages.com/slideshow/steve-schusslers-theme-restaurant-empire-31805049/
The offices of Schussler Creative are located in a dull, nondescript Golden Valley industrial park, near businesses that deal in the mundanities of insurance claims and automotive parts. But inside, Schussler Creative has the energy of a Silicon Valley startup. On the day I visited, I could hardly find a seat in the reception area for the assemblage of model outboard motors, revolving Ferris wheels, and Disney characters dressed in Star Wars garb. So I leaned against a ledge where a cloak-wrapped Mickey aimed his light saber at Donald Duck, who had been frozen, Han Solo-style, in a carbonite block.
All this, I soon learned, was merely a warm-up for the contents of Schussler’s adjacent warehouse. A staff member led me to the office’s utilitarian kitchenette where muffled tribal music could be heard playing behind a set of double doors. The staffer held a remote control, and I noticed that one of the buttons was labeled “FOG.” Anticipation built as it does when the line for a Disney ride inches forward: What sort of imaginary world lay beyond? More >
It’s a Jungle In There – First Business Interview to Air
Nov 8th
Steven Schussler on First Business interview
First Business airs in most US television markets and internationally before the market opens. It is a fast-moving, idea-packed half-hour that looks ahead at the coming day’s trading. First Business airs in over 120 US cities before the market opens, includes: San Diego; San Francisco; Washington DC; Phoenix; Orlando; Kansas City; Minneapolis; St. Louis; Pittsburgh; Dallas; and Seattle.
For more information please check out: www.firstbusinessnews.com
Jim Pawlak of Dallas Morning News Reviews It’s A Jungle In There Business Book
Nov 8th
Steven Schussler, the creator of Rainforest Cafe and other theme restaurants, shares his Five Ps of successful entrepreneurship: personality, product, persistence, people and philanthropy.
Chapter 7, “Be Excellent or Be Gone,” opens with this question: “Are you willing to take the extra time to create a product of service that is excellent rather than acceptable?”
Two plaques on the wall remind Schussler of what every business owner needs to remember: “When you’re out of quality, you’re out of business” and “The noblest search is the search for excellence.” Mediocrity shuts down businesses quickly.
Chapter 8, “Sweat the Small Stuff: The Importance of Paying Attention to Detail,” says that while the big picture is important, you need to have customer’s eyes. What do they see when they walk into your establishment?
You need to have employee’s eyes, too, because staff won’t treat customers better than management treats them.
Jim Pawlak reviews business books for The Dallas Morning News.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-p2books_31bus.ART.State.Edition1.2490cc7.html
