What I Learned From Owning My Own Restaurant After 1 Year 

I’m 24 years old and the oldest of 3. My father opened our family restaurant in 2008 when I was 11 years old, he passed away in august of 19 right before COVID. I’ve had a lot on my shoulders. This video helped me more than you might know. I appreciate it brother.

Facts! This is why many franchises require the owners work in the locations themselves rather than just investors. The success rate raises dramatically. Nobody got you like you got you

Your comment about “not planning because it allows time for fear” or “life is about experiences” I love this! Your choice words are so inspiring and relatable!

I admire people like you, being able to turn everything you touch into gold.

All my family is in the restaurant business. Something I’ve learned is that it’s all self discipline, hard work, and networking with your employees

Hey Anton, you put out some of the best content on youtube. I initially thought your channel was just about travel and then stumbled upon this one about your restaurant. I am appreciative of how well you dive into the details and share your own experiences with your audience. Having become more mindful of the content I absorb, I enjoy the optimistic realism your videos permeate. As others in the comments have stated, I strongly support you sharing more insights on the business and look forward to future content!

I'm glad I stumbled across your channel my dude. Your content was genuine and is definitely valuable to others like me who plan to leap into this business sector in the months to come. I wish you and your venture nothing but continued success, bro.

Those have got to be the cleanest exhaust hood filters on the planet.

I absolutely respect your grind and your professionalism. You put in more effort than allot of restaurant owners and it shows in your business. If I’m ever in the area I will stop by. (Btw this is my first vid I’ve seen on your channel)

This was so helpful! Thank you so much for all the grand details of what to expect...I'm on a journey and have many wanting me to shut up about opening a small take-out but I'm ready...Catering is ok for now...I'm researching how to make it happen and glad I saw your video.

Me and a couple of friends are at your restaurant today. We met your wife briefly, she was very friendly. The food was very good we will be back.

i love the point you brought up about your father and how the customer don't care. I have experienced that first hand and you are absolutely right. THEY DO NOT CARE. it's very difficult to navigate through owning a business while carrying a heavy emotional burden. I admire your ability to keep going despite any curve ball life throws at you. I wish you the nothing but the best!

Very pleasantly surprised because this is my first visit to your channel. So food restaurants are new to me and I need to come and experience it for myself. I’m building out a new drive-through on the restaurant and I found your video helpful. I know this video is two years old so I hope you still exist I’ll be checking on your channel thank you so much

Hey Anton, u are such a great guy. Thanks for all of the years u helped me grow up and understand the world better. I just want to say thanks for being my favorite RU-vid, and congratulations on your second property. Thanks for everything, ps my name is Tahreek Wilson.

I really appreciate your knowledge and values, I would love to learn more about the restaurant business, as I’m jumping right into the restaurant business.I agree with you 110% relating to this video this really motivates me and feels perfect to do it as I’m looking to get out of my Constrution business after 15 yrs.

I finally went to sweet soul kitchen after saying I was going to come since the video saying that you opened it and I've got to say I'm extremely impressed. I forgot the name of the lady who was there when I went but she was knowledgeable and very nice. I got the fried chicken wings, mac n cheese and greens. It was hands down the best soul food restaurant food I've ever had and I've been to a good amount of places. I've been a fan of yours for a while now and made the trek up there from Taylor and it was worth all the gas for the food alone, supporting your business was the cherry on top.

They closed this restaurant, for anyone that wanted know. No shade, I’m just saying. The business is no joke, so I commend him for even jumping in.

Yes yes yes Anton, please do more videos on running a restaurant, I getting ready to open one here in Valdosta, Ga, first time for me, soul food as well, so yes I need all the information I could get to gain knowledge on how to do this. God bless you and your restaurant and thanks for your help.

Please do a video on the process you took in the beginning of owning your own restaurant. Also, the structure you created for new hires along with who to order inventory of foods and equipment, etc... BTW I just became a huge fan and subscribed. Wishing you much success especially now during these times.

my brother I remember you sooooo much because we basically opened around the same time.. I had no idea about this industry but invested in it anyway... what you are saying is 100000!!! yes please give more information people like me need that input!!! appreciate you

Algorithms recommended this video as I have been doing online research for my own upcoming Cafe venture in New England. You hit a lot of the notes that I have been taking to heart. I too will do it all with my own cash; and be totally hands-on during the first critical year. My concept is different...the core insights you talk about apply to this business in general. I hope you did more videos after this one - I will now go and see. Thanks.

Thank you Anton for this posting. I'm an executive chef from Vancouver Canada and I am currently the corporate chef in charge of Cambodia for an F&B group with hotels and restaurants. However the job is not satisfying and for the first time in my life I am considering investing in myself and opening my own place back home. I'm tired of making a monthly wage and making other people a lot of money. I've been afraid to take the plunge for too many years. I am super passionate and hard working and I know I can do it well, just need to make a plan and go do it. Your personal experience has really helped give me the courage to make a plan. I think you are right about every point you made and thank you for sharing. - Andrew

Best advice from the video… NOBODY is gonna have the same level of love and passion of your vision or business as much as you do

Hey Anton, love your videos man. Could you talk about the following: -dealing with people that flaked out on you when you first started out -how to go about hiring the right people considering some of your competition tried to sneak in Thanks

I like this video, Anton. You're giving a perspective we otherwise might not have heard. Does your restaurant open on time? One thing that is irksome is when people will show anytime after their posted hours of business. May Sweet Soul Kitchen continue to thrive and prosper.

Hey Anton, I appreciate your honesty in this video. I have zero experience in running a restaurant. I worked in restaurants performing various duties in my late teens, but I'm in my early 40s now and I know a lot has changed. However, I'm passionate about food. I love to cook and I love to serve people. But it's more than just cooking, it's the culinary arts I love so much. I live in a place that doesn't have a lot of "good" food. But it's a good community. It's a big small town. I have dreamed my whole life about owning a restaurant. I know it's difficult. I don't live in a fantasy world. But in one part of the video, you talk about how you used to travel but now "there are no sick days". I guess I'm scared to give up certain freedoms that I have right now. I work from home, I make 6 figures (in a fairly cheap area in the country to live), and I get to enjoy a lot of time off; including a 2 week holiday break every year with my current company. So how did you convince yourself to give up your freedoms to chase your passions?

I like the fact that youre not a throw in the towel person.Youre their for business dont let no one change your goals and dream.You will succeed because you have decipline which is very important May God Grant you Favor.And not everyone is a part of the journey thank God that got solved.Stay Bless

Great insights into what to expect. I’ve been attempting to set myself up to open my own restaurant. I am from south Louisiana and I’ve been cooking for 6 years now, I’m 22. Throughout high school and college I worked as a line cook and during that time I’ve worked privately for hire countless events for friends and families (weddings, parties etc.) I’ve also had my own 3D print business with my drafting degree. However the most expensive part of that business was my degree and printers. I never needed an investor or business loan before. I believe I can show the beautiful state of Colorado what amazing true Cajun and Creole food taste like and I think they will love it. I am just not certain on convincing an investor a drafter turned cook can.

Wow. Pretty fascinating. All I know about people who own restaurants is that they're always there and always working. And when they're not there, you have to have competent, trustworthy employees there to perform. Very thorough review. Open up a store in Pittsburgh, please? Yummy stuff. I'd love to see more of these.

More of these restaurant videos. We do have not have one here in Peoria,, Il and they have all failed because the owners want to have the food prepared by everyone else, with something like that needs to be consistency..That’s what I am going to do because I know I can cook. I am asked all the time to do it or my egg rolls, and my soul food. I have been in the beauty industry along time and I am ready for change. You were such an inspiration and thank you .

Truly glad to see your success ..and the giving back through sharing your experience. Thank you, sir. Food looks amazing and next trip home your place will be a must go to.

Would love to learn more from you (whatever you want to share)regarding opening a business. I'm going to guess that you will be opening up a second location. Hopefully it will be in downtown Detroit. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished.

Love the motivation! The business talk is great. Also helps you master the craft when you're teaching others.

you speak truth. its nice to hear. i'm at a job right now that i hate. hate hate. i have 17 years food service, front to back of house. i'm like you, fear will get me if i don't just go and do it. i'm quitting my job, moving back to my home state and buy a small restaurant!

Anton could you please do videos on what type of POS system you use, accounting accountability, how you place the food orders for the restaurant through vendors, and the steps on how you prepare your food for and throughout the day. Thank you

AD awesome video! I've owned a restaurant myself, hardest work ever and also one of the most rewarding year I experienced in my adult life. I made a huge amount of money, but had no life...

I've worked in the restaurant business for 35 years and you have it down I mean everybody thinks it's a vacation don't they? Well thank you it's refreshing to see somebody who knows what they're talking about I appreciate it

Good to see you are doing well, appreciate the diversity in subjects you cover in your vids! Hopefully some day I will check out your great food!

Thank you so much!!! I plan to open my own.. This helps a lot keep them coming!! Thanks again..

Yes, please keep posting these type of videos. Very informative. Had my boyfriend subscribe to your channel and he loves it! You are dropping golden nuggets and providing motivation. Blessings brother!

Dear Anton, thank you very much for sharing useful information. We are all truly appreciated your kindness and generosity. Thank you very much.

Not only is my last name Daniels but I owned a restaurant in Brooklyn Ny. Now in upstate Ny looking to start again. Your honesty is on point! This video has VALUE!

A smart, cool Brotha who is willing to give free game... anyone in the comments who says they don't want more content like this needs to be blocked and excommunicated immediately!!! LOL seriously, thanks for sharing your experience.

Thanks Anton for a great video. You're a truly an entrepreneurs. Loving your video.Please keep release all the educational video likes this.Greatly appreciate it.

Soul food takes time, effort, and care. You put your own soul, personality, and history into it. It can't be rushed. I'm sure it's difficult to make, properly, in a restaurant environment

I can relate to EVERY word of this video. I too opened a Soul Food restaurant in my town in 2019 and have had MANY rude awakenings 😩😩 I appreciate this video and have subscribed to learn more. Thank you!

You explain things in a way I can understand and your words sink in. Keep this going A.D👊

I am new to your channel, I really appreciate your prospective into the restaurant business and I'm looking forward to more content.

Love this video! Answered many questions I didn't even know I had. Keep it up!

I appreciate the prediction and data video as it relates to the business

🙋🏾‍♀️ This was a great video. Yes please do more videos like this!

I just googled your restaurant and and the food looks scrumptious! I will definitely be visiting soon!👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

This was a really helpful video! I’m planning to start a small business and would love to hear your ideas about start up costs.

Great info! I'm looking in get into starting a catering business, doing alot of research...much success to you brother

I really enjoy your videos! You mentioned that you developed efficient processes to run a soul food restaurant; would you mind making a video sharing some of those specific processes?

Please share as much information as possible. I want to own my own black owned restaurant. I am looking to you for advice as a mentor into the business. Your sharing more information than most people that tell me go to college get a degree and don't live my dream just yet. Right now I am more focused than I have ever been in life and my heart tells me to go for it and open my own spot.

I also built restaurant from scratch and it was exactly like you said. It will never go like plan Lol. It was crazy but rewarding ☺️ I put all in, mind and energy.

Thankyou i been cooking out the house and now its definitely time to expand this video was helpful ❤

Love these videos. Great change of pace.

Appreciate this video. Me myself is a world traveler. I do travel vlogs. I recently opened my own chicken and waffle restaurant. It’s only been a month but I hoping to be as successful as yourself. All the goods and bads make so much since. I’m still learning but trying to master it all. Hope to see more videos about yourself. Hopefully I can share mines as well.

You are so loquacious and informative! From the professionalismAnd passion from this video alone. I know the food is smackin!!!! Shouts out to yall

Yes I know a hispanic guy who had a food truck and decided to open up a restaurant. He had it for 2 years, double overhead, paying employees even when slow etc etc he closed down and went back to food truck cuz less stressful but he added 2 more food trucks and 3x his profit, only has to hire staff for few hours a day and he goes where the people are instead of them coming to him.

I am the same way. I jump in. If I decide to do it I just do it. I’m new to your channel and I’m cruising through and loving your content.

Can you post links to more about this in depth. I tried going through your videos but damn lol. U have so many. Which is good. But I’m looking for more details on tips and understanding before I dive in. Thanks for this information bc it helps alot

Like this video; make more day to day operating a restaurant videos

Thanks for uploading this video Anton. Really interesting to hear about your experience.

Really good video with plenty explanations, thank you !

Love the info...need more restaurant videos

Nice video! Thanks! I'm hoping to found a handful of restaurants, and it's nice to hear from such a legitimate soul! Again, thank you!

I'm rooting for you man. The next time I head up to Michigan I'm going to try my hardest to take a trip to your resturant.

Great video man thanks for giving some real insights… please share some more stuff like this!

Much props brother this is what I strive to do, I made so many restaurants rich from the ground up from my ideas and my menu items. Time for me now but the money is definitely a concern, think I’m going to live in my car for a while. Tell me the truth it takes at least fifty thousand doesn’t it?

Making my mouth water looking at your food, Anton. Wishing you much success!!

I plan on opening a resturant in Gambia, Africa! Thank you for sharing!

Didn’t realize how much of a blessing this video would be for me, thanks for the insight and motivation ✨✏️ I’m feeling more confident about pursuing my dream!🙏🏾❤️

Please continue sharing more; I'm opening my restaurant next month and this will be my 1st professional business. It's scary but I trust that I'm a hard worker and that God has my back🕯🙏🇿🇦

Excellent video as always! Definitely more business videos , specially about your restaurant. Good stuff! One of my favorite channels!

My condolences. Wish you and your family the best.

Great video. Also, on Gordon Ramsey's show (Kitchen Nightmares), he's always making a big deal about fresh foods to be used to make the the recipes and gets mad at the cooks who store the meat and vegetables in the refrigerator over night.

Definitely want to know more ! Thank you 🙏🏾

excellent content!!! anyone who is thinking of opening a restaurant should watch this first. I have a question...what are your thoughts regarding using a vendor to deliver your groceries versus doing your own shopping? thanks!

your video was very informative. I would definitely like more sharing as much insight into owning a resturaunt as can be shared.

I enjoyed your business video. I would like to see more about running the day to day operation. I still enjoy your Detroit exploration videos, they are very intriguing. Keep up the knowledge. Thank you

Great Job. I really appreciate your wisdom and transparency.

Your right up in my state. Definitely going to try this out.

Keep going Sr . I’m glad you make this kind of videos with a lot important information than is awesome. God bless you Thank you.

Thank you for so much insight on owning a restaurant. I would like to start my own business and considering either a restaurant or a specialty food store so thank you for the information.

Great video. Thanks for sharing this information. Really appreciate what you do, man.

Do you think starting a catering business first ? In order to build clientele and startup money. Also, I would like to know how do you feel about just coming out with an signature product. For example, your own special sauce, lemonade/juice, and try to vendor grocery stores that sounds more cost efficient

I learned alot from this brother! Awesome love it!

Definitely want to hear more about your restaurant!

I agree, you have to treat the customer with curtise and a smile. I would love for you to give me an idea in the long run about business resturant and paying the workers their income.

Excellent Video! Can't wait to try. God willing I have my own soul food restaurant. Thank you!

Keep it up brother your smashing it and we appreciate the insider information not many people these days are trying to help others

I appreciate the info and would like more on running the business. What to do if you’ve never done anything in this magnitude but the idea is there

Top of the day AD, I'm opening up my first resturant in Illinois. I would love to get some personal insight from a Brother who has done it. 🙏🏽👍🏽

Great Video My wife and I opened and owned our restaurant since 2014. We just started taking profits about two years ago its a hard business.

This is exactly why I only opened a food truck and that is still a lot of work.

Bro I'm a young black entrepreneur born in detroit and would like to see more videos on your experience in being an entrepreneur and some things to be prepared for and lookout for