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.
Steven Schussler Live on Fox & Friends
Nov 19th
Steven Schussler live on Fox & Friends with Steve Doocy, Brian Kilmeade and Gretchen Carlson (MN native) see photos of Ice Place Set and more… Click Here to see photos
Originally from Rockaway Beach, New York, Steven Schussler is no stranger to PR stunts, and his book, It’s a Jungle in There, encourages anyone with a dream to “learn to become a creative genius, and take your ideas as far as you can to make them come true.” In order to attract investors for his idea of Rainforest Cafe, he transformed his home into the Rainforest Cafe® prototype. After four years of showing the concept to potential investors, Schussler opened the first Rainforest Cafe® at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota in October 1994. He and his public company built and operated 45 Rainforest Cafe® restaurants in seven years, on three continents and sold the chain to Landry’s Restaurants Inc. in 2000. Before selling to Landry’s, Rainforest Cafe® received over 40 awards in 6 years including: Fortune Magazine’s “Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S.A.” (named to the list two consecutive years); Nation’s Restaurant News’ “Hot Concept Award,” and Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 100 Entreprenuers.”
Steven Schussler says, “What better way to kick-off Thanksgiving than by giving thanks for what you have. At the end of the day, it’s not about how much you can acquire in your life, but how much you can help others. In Chapter 28 of my book, It’s a Jungle in There, I talk about the importance of philanthropy and how entrepreneurs must embrace social responsibility. My motive for creating the Ice Palace on the Fox Plaza is to raise awareness for Smile Network International, and to share the message that anyone can overcome obstacles and get ahead in business if they put their mind to it.”
The Ice Palace, which is also a prototype for Steven Schussler’s concept restaurant called, “Water, Fire & Ice™ The Ultra Polar Lounge™,” will be carved by Minneapolis-based Ice Occasions™ owner, Chris Swarbrick. His team also created sculptures for the Vancouver Olympics, and the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis. “It will take (100) 300-pound blocks of ice to construct the 15-ton Ice Palace on the Fox Plaza, and upon completion will house an ice bar stocked with Aquadeco Water in beautiful designer bottles, a circular ice couch, a fire and ice table (with real fire), an ice carving of a penguin, and a full size gorilla!,” said Swarbrick.
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
Steven Schussler appears Live on Fox & Friends
Nov 18th
It’s a Jungle In There By Rainforest Cafe® Creator Steven Schussler
Andrew Marc will Sponsor The Building of the Structure, and will Feature Their Fall 2010 Outerwear Event to Raise Awareness for Smile Network International
(THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2010) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—It was announced early this morning that a 15-ton palace carved out of more than 30,000 pounds of ice will be constructed on the Fox Plaza, 48th Street and Avenue of the Americas, for a “Fox and Friends” interview on Friday, November 19th in support of a book segment for It’s a Jungle in There, written by author and Rainforest Cafe® creator Steven Schussler with Marvin Karlins. The mission for the event is to raise awareness for Smile Network International, (www.smilenetwork.org), a Minnesota-based 501(c) 3 organization that surgically repairs cleft lips and palates of impoverished young people around the world. Steven Schussler is a founding member and lifetime advisor of the board of directors, and 100% of his proceeds from the book will go to Smile Network International. The event will be sponsored by the Andrew Marc luxury apparel brand, who will supply the hosts of the TV show with garments from their fall 2010 collection. Andrew Marc will also spearhead a sweepstakes for the viewers to enter to win a $1,000 shopping spree on AndrewMarc.com. In addition, their team of models will also be passing out hot chocolate & biscotti to people in and around the plaza.
Originally from Rockaway Beach, New York, Steven Schussler is no stranger to PR stunts, and his book, It’s a Jungle in There, encourages anyone with a dream to “learn to become a creative genius, and take your ideas as far as you can to make them come true.” In order to attract investors for his idea of Rainforest Cafe, he transformed his home into the Rainforest Cafe® prototype. After four years of showing the concept to potential investors, Schussler opened the first Rainforest Cafe® at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota in October 1994. He and his public company built and operated 45 Rainforest Cafe® restaurants in seven years, on three continents and sold the chain to Landry’s Restaurants Inc. in 2000. Before selling to Landry’s, Rainforest Cafe® received over 40 awards in 6 years including: Fortune Magazine’s “Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies in the U.S.A.” (named to the list two consecutive years); Nation’s Restaurant News’ “Hot Concept Award,” and Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 100 Entreprenuers.”
Steven Schussler says, “What better way to kick-off Thanksgiving than by giving thanks for what you have. At the end of the day, it’s not about how much you can acquire in your life, but how much you can help others. In Chapter 28 of my book, It’s a Jungle in There, I talk about the importance of philanthropy and how entrepreneurs must embrace social responsibility. My motive for creating the Ice Palace on the Fox Plaza is to raise awareness for Smile Network International, and to share the message that anyone can overcome obstacles and get ahead in business if they put their mind to it.”
The Ice Palace, which is also a prototype for Steven Schussler’s concept restaurant called, “Water, Fire & Ice™ The Ultra Polar Lounge™,” will be carved by Minneapolis-based Ice Occasions™ owner, Chris Swarbrick. His team also created sculptures for the Vancouver Olympics, and the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis. “It will take (100) 300-pound blocks of ice to construct the 15-ton Ice Palace on the Fox Plaza, and upon completion will house an ice bar stocked with Aquadeco Water in beautiful designer bottles, a circular ice couch, a fire and ice table (with real fire), an ice carving of a penguin, and a full size gorilla!,” said Swarbrick.
For More Information about the event, or to interview Steven Schussler, please contact Justin Loeber and his team at Mouth Public Relations (www.MouthPublicRelations.com), 212-260-7576; Media@MouthPublicRelations.com.
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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.
Steven Schussler and America’s Hero Captain Chesley “Sully”
Nov 11th
Steven and America’s hero Captain Chesley “Sully” met in Washington, DC at the National Press Club where they were both autographing their new books at an author event. Sully shared stories with Steve about how he and his children love eating at the Rainforest Cafe!
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
