🎙️ From McDonald's Crew Leader to Restaurant Executive: Amy Hom's Journey Building Party Culture at Barcelona Wine Bar

In this inspiring episode, Amy Hom, Chief Operating Officer at Barcelona Wine Bar, shares her remarkable 30-year journey from working double shifts at McDonald's and Burger King to leading one of America's most beloved tapas restaurant groups. Through candid stories of standing up to workplace discrimination, walking away from toxic leadership without backup plans, and building cultures where teams "go to a party every day," Amy demonstrates how authentic leadership, Harvard Business School finance education, and unwavering commitment to people-first values can transform both individual careers and entire organizations. From reducing GM turnover to zero for four months straight to co-founding the LEAD nonprofit supporting emerging restaurant leaders, Amy reveals how genuine hospitality and empowering others creates sustainable business success across multiple award-winning brands.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Early career foundation: Building work ethic and people skills through McDonald's daytime/Burger King nighttime double shifts while learning from exceptional general managers

• Leadership evolution: Transitioning from IQ-based management to EQ-focused empathy leadership, especially post-COVID workforce changes

• Standing against discrimination: Walking away from promotion opportunities when told "we don't promote females" and using experiences to advocate for women in leadership

• Culture-building strategies: Creating "party atmosphere" where teams feel empowered to turn around guest experiences through authentic hospitality

• Retention excellence: Achieving four-month streak of zero GM/chef turnover through development planning, Spain culinary trips, and career clarity conversations

• Heart check methodology: Implementing 1-5 scale emotional check-ins to address personal challenges before driving business objectives

🌟 Amy's Key Influences & Mentors:

• Early McDonald's/Burger King Managers: First leadership exposure teaching attention to detail, financial systems, and genuine care for team member development

• Hula Hands GM Gilbert Robinson: Four-year mentorship learning full-service operations, detailed standards, and systematic approaches to restaurant management

• "Tribe of Mentors": Extensive network of industry leaders providing ongoing guidance, feedback, and support throughout career progression

• Harvard Business School Online Community: Global cohort providing cross-industry perspectives and confidence-building through finance certification program

• Barcelona Wine Bar Leadership: CEO Adam Halberg and supportive board enabling authentic leadership style and values-driven decision making

• LEAD Co-founders: Karen Stutz and collaborative team building nationwide nonprofit supporting emerging restaurant leaders through education and mentorship

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about authentic leadership through vulnerability, building sustainable restaurant cultures that retain talent, and how investing in people's development creates lasting business success across the hospitality industry.

🔗 Connect with Amy Hom:

• Email: ahom@barcelonawine bar.com

• LinkedIn: Amy Hom, COO at Barcelona Wine Bar

• Barcelona Wine Bar Website: barcelonawine bar.com

📄 Transcript Available: Amy Hom on Team Member Development and Vibe at Barcelona Wine Bar

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📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency:

AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

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