12 Questions with Klemchuk

This series is dedicated to discussions with entrepreneurs, leaders, and business founders to uncover their origin stories, how they have succeeded, and what makes them tick.

This week we are talking with Brandon Carter of Cedar & Vine Community Kitchen + Cocktails.

1. What was the big idea behind your business? What lead you to make the leap?

The big idea behind the restaurant was “women and wine”, but we also wanted to create a place where people of all generations – old and young – could enjoy a meal together.  It stemmed from having a deep understanding of our market as residents.  At the time, in Lake Highlands, we had tacos, burgers, an array of fast food and everything in between, but at no restaurant could you order a great salad or a market fish, get slightly elevated dinner features or craft cocktails, etc.  If you wanted this, you found yourself driving to some trendy place in Uptown or Knox Henderson.  So we decided, let’s make a concept like you’d typically see in those places, only slightly more kid friendly and drop it right in our backyard.  We initially brainstormed the idea and when we had it (halfway) concocted, we prematurely called the owner of a failing restaurant in the neighborhood.  When he said he’d sell his business, we jumped at the opportunity – even though we were way in over our heads! 

2. What is your best mistake in the business—that sure thing that ultimately failed spectacularly?

There have been a few big ones at Cedar & Vine, including some poor hiring choices and the decision to overhaul our menu (which by the way, seemingly went over about like Coca Cola changing their formula).  One bad decision I made was to put seven big tvs on the patio, expecting a sort of College Game Day experience out there during football season.  I underestimated how much marketing that would take, our lack of 20-something crowds, and just how dang hot it still is in September and October!  We had a couple of times where some neighborhood UT or Tech fans showed up, but outside of that, it has been a complete let down.  Live and learn!

3. How would your employees describe your “super power”?  What do you need from your team to exercise your super power?

The employees probably think I’m pretty lame and would be the last person on Earth to have a super power, but I guess if I had to pick one, my GM may tell you, it is my ability to see the big picture and the detail all at once.  So often people do get lost on one or the other.  As an owner, you’ve got to see both… or at the least, find a partner who can offset your weakness.  When working with employees, oftentimes they get hyper-focused on the small picture, the minutia.  Getting them to see the “forest” and the rationale from the top down will make them not only better overall employees but help them in their respective careers.

4. What is your key to success in overcoming adversity?

Positive thinking.  Some say it is a “choice”.  I do think it takes effort to think positively.  Negative thoughts are human nature… like a survival instinct.  We tend to remember the bad, so we can avoid mistakes in the future.  When you think positively, you can think clearly.  Thinking clearly in turn leads you to brainstorm better solutions and solve complex problems.

5. Who inspires you as a leader?

I am inspired by leaders who can take ideas and turn them into action.  So frequently do I hear about people who say they could have done it better had it been them, or be critical of someone else’s ideas, especially in the age of social media.  But the reality is many of those people are risk averse and have never put any ideas into motion in their lives.  Doing that and taking risk takes a lot of willpower and just the right amount of crazy.    Win or lose, leaders who get out there and make it happen, against the odds, are my inspiration. 

6. Describe your funny or quirky office traditions.

At the restaurant, we have an employee party where we would play goofy games.  It was great for the employees to see the GM and the owners out of context and acting a fool.  One time we had a team race where we had to carry fruit or something between our knees.  Our GM does a great job at bringing the team together. Besides that, I love to surprise the back of the house staff and show up singing an old salsa song in Spanish.  Always catches them off guard! 

7. What is your most memorable job ever?  Worst job ever? 

My most memorable job was perhaps working as a soccer referee when I was an early teen.  It was action packed and I was outside on the weekends.  And I remember how great it felt to earn and have money in my pocket.  Worst job ever is definitely when I had to go down to my stepdad’s ranch in high school and cut down mesquite trees with a chain saw.  I had an allergy test when I was in my 20’s, and it turned out I was deathly allergic to mesquites!

8. What’s the “one thing” most responsible for your professional success?

I would say my ability to ditch the “corporate façade” and just be me.  People want to do business with others that they can relate to and that they like.  It’s not always about being the most efficient or the cheapest.  Now that doesn’t mean I am unprofessional -- I am definitely still professional.  I just try to get to know others, don’t try to sell people too much, and use candor and humor when appropriate to disarm my audience.

9. Best actor/actress to play your role at the office? 

Hmmm.  That is a tough one.  People have said I look a little like Keanu Reeves and other say I look like the kid from American Pie who has a thing for Stifler’s mom.  I googled him.  His name is Eddie Kaye Thomas.  Not sure of his acting chops, but I guess that works.  I think Jared Leto is a great actor.  If I was ignoring the fact he is much better looking than me, I would pick him.

10. What’s one piece of advice would you give to the younger you when you started your business?

When you start any business, especially one that you know little about (i.e. restaurants for me), you have to be humble and do a lot of learning.  At the time, that meant surrounding myself with people that I knew were more knowledgeable in a given area than I was.  While this strategy worked, I ended up bringing in more partners than I needed, and therefore created a situation with too many Chiefs.  I would have told the younger me to lean on these people as paid advisers instead of partners. 

11. Best Tex Mex in Dallas?

In my part of town (Lake Highlands), although the food is very average, I like the experience of going to Mariano’s Hacienda Ranch.  Mariano is, after all, the inventor of the frozen margarita, and he has the full storyboard and Smithsonian plaque on display at the restaurant to prove it!  The salsa music, the lit stars suspended from the ceiling, the huge selection of margs to the mechanical horses and 9 foot bear in the entrance, all add to the vibe.  Best food though imo is probably Meso Maya or Mesero, although they don’t feel as much like traditional Tex-Mex.  For overall experience AND food, I would vote El Ranchito.  They have traditional Mexican cuisine and Tex-Mex and have live mariachis perform while you eat!  That’s where I would take an out-of-towner for a unique dining experience.

12. What are you reading right now?

I am reading Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari. I have gotten more into history the last year or two (which must be an old person thing). It has given me new insights into why we are the way we are as human beings. Simply fascinating.

To make plans to enjoy a meal at Cedar & Vine, please visit the website here.

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