Digital Hospitality Shawn P. Walchef

Discover the keys to thriving in the content creator economy with David Meltzer's invaluable guidance, shared during a recent coaching call with Cali BBQ Media.



Digital Hospitality host and Cali BBQ Media owner Shawn Walchef has had the pleasure of having world renowned entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker, and business coach David Meltzer as a friend and mentor for a number of years. 



In the latest of the live coaching calls, Meltzer divulged the secrets behind his successful coaching business. The first of which is to give freely.



The Universal Principle of Giving



On the call, Meltzer emphasizes the timeless principle that giving precedes receiving. Whether speaking to one person or addressing a massive audience, Meltzer believes in giving 100% of himself at all times. 



"The more I give, the more I receive," he asserts, highlighting the importance of embodying generosity and authenticity. “I will utilize all that I'm given, not all that I'm receiving, in order to amplify my essence.”



The B2B Success Catalyst



Meltzer carries the importance of communication over to business. In the realm of B2B success, Meltzer underscores the pivotal role of communication and connection, specifically establishing a bond with decision-makers through what he labels a “communication charter”.



"You want to bond with a communication charter with the B2B decision makers," Meltzer advises. “Connect with the decision-makers, and others will follow.”



Content Creation: The Quality is in the Intention



Meltzer goes on to dispel myths about content creation by highlighting the thought process that quality is determined more by intention than perceived results. He shares that he believes that content quality hinges on frequency and alignment with the audience's needs and preferences. 



“The number one problem that most people have, they use judgment and separation in order to determine, this is good content or this is bad content.” Meltzer explains. "All content, in my opinion, is quality determinative upon the alignment.”



Uncover the secrets to content success with David Meltzer through coaching session replays for actionable strategies and profound wisdom that will propel your journey.

David Meltzer is the Co-Founder of Sports 1 Marketing. He is also a world renowned motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur, business coach, and podcast host.



For Cali BBQ Media founder Shawn Walchef, Meltzer is a mentor and friend. On Meltzer's quest to empower over one billion people to be happy, he has made a number of appearances on Cali BBQ Media's shows.



It is well worth your time to watch and listen to every single episode that involves David Meltzer, including his live coaching calls with Walchef.




Coaching Call: Surge Pricing vs. Dynamic Pricing



Coaching Call: Empty Milers vs. Extra Milers



Digital Hospitality 87: Coaching Call: 2-Minute Drill: Shawn's $5,000,001 Pitch



Digital Hospitality 65: Coaching Call: Spotify Playlist Challenge



Digital Hospitality 55: Coaching Call: Curiosity and Storytelling 



Digital Hospitality 50: Coaching Call: Repurposing Content to Build Online Communities



Digital Hospitality 22: Lions Don't Lose Sleep Over Fretting the Sheep



Digital Hospitality 128: Believe in Others. Celebrate and Elevate



Business Coaching: How to Pitch Your Big Idea



Stage Theory: BTS Aspire Tour San Diego




About Cali BBQ Media



Digital Hospitality is an interview-based video podcast hosted by business owner Shawn P. Walchef (@shawnpwalchef) and produced by his Cali BBQ Media company. The weekly digital series explores the ways successful businesses and entrepreneurs have merged old and new with innovative digital strategies that harness the power of the Internet and social media. Shawn is the founder of Cali BBQ Media and creator of the Restaurant Influencers podcast on Entrepreneur Media.

Matt Wampler's journey to becoming the co-founder and CEO of ClearCOGS stemmed from a personal pain point in his restaurant career. Recognizing the lack of resources for obtaining essential answers, he envisioned ClearCOGS as a solution to translate overlooked data into actionable insights. 



And now ClearCOGS has a huge announcement!



Wampler's mission is clear: empower restaurant operators by providing them with a playbook for success. By leveraging modern technology and data science, ClearCOGS aims to simplify the complexities of managing metrics and spreadsheets, allowing operators to focus more on serving guests and empowering their teams. 



"How do we provide that playbook, that daily cheat sheet, with the numbers that you need so that if you follow it, you've got a profitable, smoothly running business?" expresses Wampler to host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media.



Wampler's disdain for traditional sales calls led to a pivotal "aha" moment for ClearCOGS on social media. By openly sharing their services and inviting interested parties to connect, Wampler discovered a more organic and effective approach to acquisition. The power of social media, as Wampler highlights, lies in the ability to communicate the value proposition without the need for intrusive sales calls. 



“We just put it out there in the world what we were doing,” reflects Wampler. “It was that aha moment. Like, you mean to tell me that instead of these horrible sales calls, I can just say, this is what we're doing, and if it's for you, we'd love to talk?”



ClearCOGS + Toast Integration



 In a significant announcement, Wampler and ClearCOGS have created a simple integration with Toast POS, a move aimed at “democratizing” AI for the restaurant industry. 



“Just click enable, and you're going to start receiving some incredibly helpful reports daily, weekly to help you run a smoother, more profitable operation.” says Wampler of the integration. 



Wampler emphasizes the company's commitment to making this AI solution accessible to all, offering a freemium version of the product, as well. 



“We want to get as many successful restaurants on Toast using this, understanding it, and we'll lead them to the future, where eventually, you're getting all your decision management done with a company like Clearcogs.”

An Inclusive Dining Experience



Ernie Carrillo, the founder of Joe & Ernie's Pizzeria, is crafting an inclusive dining experience that caters to everyone's tastes and dietary needs. From vegan options to gluten-free delights, Carrillo's commitment to quality and diversity sets his pizzeria apart in Southern California's vibrant culinary scene.



“I think pizza is that type of thing where everyone should enjoy it.” expressed Carrillo to host Shawn Walchef. “Our business model is, we try to cater to everyone.” 



A Slice for Everyone



At Joe & Ernie's Pizzeria, Carrillo's mission is clear: to ensure every customer finds a slice they love.



Catering to dietary needs is a part of Carrillo’s practice of consistent, premium hospitality. He believes that exceptional customer service is the cornerstone of Joe & Ernie's success. 



For Carrillo, "We all have jobs because of the customer.” said Carrillo. “I really stress customer service. Every time someone comes in, they should be greeted, and you should be giving them their best attitudes.”



The Importance of Customer Service



With such a high level of customer service, high volume days are inevitable. Carrillo's strategic approach to managing these times involve meticulous preparation and setting clear expectations for customers. Being over-prepared, from extra cheese to pre-folded boxes, to meet the demands of peak periods are just a few things done to increase the opportunities for success. 



"You learn to be prepared.” reflected Carrillo on lessons learned. “Every year, we get busier. But you learn." 

Solomon Choi, the CEO of Jabba Brands, believes in the power of giving more to ask for more. 



Reflecting on his early career, Choi made a bold decision for his family business early in his career, which ultimately paid off. By providing greater service, Choi was able to raise prices confidently, recognizing the value of catering to a captive audience. 



"Ask for more by giving them more," says Choi to host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media and co-host Avi Goren of Marqii. “I think that's a great, you know, symbiotic relationship with the customer. Everybody wins.” 



Transitioning from running restaurants to becoming an investor, Choi applies that same strategic approach to startups. As an investor and advisor, Choi emphasizes the importance of identifying overlooked or undervalued aspects that can drive success.



“Being on the side of an investor advisor for other startups, that is one of the things I look for is I'm like, what's your edge? What do you have that can be your, either competitive advantage or against something that is either being overlooked or undervalued?” emphasizes Choi.



At the core of Choi's philosophy lies the hospitality mindset, where the customer always comes first. Despite the advancements in technology, Choi believes that hospitality begins and ends with doing what's best for the customer. For him, success in business stems from a genuine desire to serve guests and create meaningful experiences that resonate with their needs.



“I think the first thing is to really just have this mindset of: do you truly want to do what's best for the guests?” remarks Choi. “If somebody came in and your menu item, for instance, didn't accommodate their needs: their dietary needs, their religion, whatever it may be. Wouldn't you try, if you were there, wouldn't you, as the owner, like, try to accommodate them if you could?”



By prioritizing customer-centric approaches and identifying unique business advantages, Choi continues to drive innovation and growth within the industry. As businesses navigate evolving landscapes, Choi's insights serve as a guiding light, inspiring entrepreneurs to embrace hospitality as a cornerstone of success and to seize strategic opportunities for growth and expansion.



“I think if you were at the heart of every person who's in hospitality for the right reasons, that answer is an overwhelming yes. There's no if, and. or buts.”

Christine Schindler, the Co-Founder and CEO of Pathspot, is spearheading a transformative movement in the restaurant industry by digitizing back-of-house operations. 



Pathspot's mission is clear: to enhance efficiency and safety in restaurant environments by consolidating various operational and safety procedures into a single, streamlined platform. 



“Pathspot is a system for operational and safety tools, both hardware and software, totally digitizing the back of house.” said Schindler to host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media



One of the core principles driving Pathspot's innovation is the focus on collecting and leveraging the right data for optimal operational efficiency. By integrating with different ecosystem components and leveraging data insights, Pathspot ensures that its solutions are tailored to meet the specific needs of its clients. 



“We're really working to create the right data throughputs... pulling in data to our system that helps make our solutions even more effective.” explained Schindler.



As Pathspot continues to evolve, Schindler, the Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, remains committed to exploring new solutions and pushing the boundaries of innovation. This relentless pursuit of improvement is not just about finding solutions but empowering restaurant teams to innovate and overcome challenges, ultimately driving a paradigm shift in how restaurants operate in the digital age.



“Every time you get to the next level, add in additional aspects, digitize something else... there's always more to discover.” 



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“Every business needs a media company.” -Shawn Walchef



Engage with Cali BBQ Media today for all media inquiries