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As a part of the Morning Lazziness sequence highlighting empowering girls who’re making a exceptional influence with their concepts, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Loebenberg.
Lisa Loebenberg is the director and founder behind a portfolio of profitable bars and eating places throughout South West London. A enterprise improvement and revenue development skilled with greater than 25 years of expertise within the hospitality trade, Lisa has constructed her profession from the bottom up—rising from waitress to entrepreneur and revered trade chief.
She at the moment owns seven thriving venues—quickly to be eight—together with Exhibit Balham, SW16 Bar & Kitchen, Mamma Dough, and Furzedown Lodge. Recognized for her hands-on management fashion and operational experience, Lisa focuses on driving transformation, optimizing P&L efficiency, and delivering methods that obtain measurable outcomes.
Obsessed with creating vibrant, community-driven areas, Lisa has constructed a fame for mixing robust business acumen with a deep understanding of buyer expertise. Her work continues to set new requirements in hospitality whereas inspiring the following era of entrepreneurs.
On this interview, she talks concerning the obstacles she’s overcome, the milestones she’s achieved, and the knowledge she’s gained alongside the best way.
What impressed your leap into entrepreneurship, and what private experiences sparked the thought behind your present enterprise?
I’ve all the time cherished the vitality of hospitality, the best way foods and drinks carry individuals collectively and create reminiscences. After years of working within the trade, I spotted I used to be bored with constructing different individuals’s goals. I needed to construct my very own. For me, it wasn’t nearly beginning a enterprise, it was about creating areas that felt alive, inclusive, and true to my values. Locations that mix high quality, heat, and an actual sense of belonging.
If I’m trustworthy, I by no means preferred working for different individuals. I all the time knew I needed to run one thing myself, to see if I may construct a enterprise that wasn’t nearly ego and will really be worthwhile. I used to be fortunate with timing, I had the chance to tackle possession of my first venue Exhibit, with out an enormous quantity of fundraising. That stated, It wasn’t good, and it undoubtedly wasn’t the “proper time,” however I used to be already concerned within the enterprise and I jumped at it. Typically you simply should take the leap. A leap that has definitely paid off.
What core downside does your online business remedy, notably for girls or underserved communities and the way does your strategy stand out in right now’s aggressive area?
Hospitality typically feels transactional, and for girls particularly, bars and eating places can really feel unwelcoming and even unsafe. My objective has all the time been to construct venues the place everybody feels snug, the place group is on the coronary heart of the expertise, and the place workers are revered and supported. We lead with tradition and care, that’s what units us aside.
I’ve spent loads of time presenting to rooms stuffed with center aged males who weren’t all in favour of listening to me. I’ve seen individuals from marginalized backgrounds ignored again and again, and I take pleasure in giving these individuals alternatives. Early in my profession, I used to be advised I needed to put on skirts and heels for twelve hour shifts. Now, I prioritize hiring emotionally clever managers and workforce members, as a result of hospitality is deeply emotional work, and it requires individuals who can actually join with others.
What had been a few of the hardest obstacles you confronted early in your journey as a lady entrepreneur, and the way did you navigate by them?
Entry to capital was an enormous problem, however truthfully, being taken significantly was even tougher. In a male dominated trade, I used to be consistently underestimated. I’ve walked into financial institution conferences and been requested if I used to be there to take notes for a male counter half. I’ve been advised girls don’t make good managing administrators as a result of we’re “too emotional.” I’ve even been advised that I solely obtained alternatives due to how I look.
I realized to again myself, do my homework, and present up persistently. Over time, outcomes spoke louder than doubts. Immediately, I’m 41 years outdated and personal seven companies. The toughest half now could be steadiness. Progress, not perfection, is what I purpose for. Individuals are my primary precedence, and each powerful lesson seems like paying college charges… costly, however crucial. My greatest problem has all the time been believing in individuals and typically being let down. The trick is to take the emotion out and preserve transferring ahead.
When the going will get powerful, what retains you grounded and motivated to maintain pushing ahead?
My canine, my husband, my enterprise associate, my fitness center routine, all of them preserve me centered. However greater than something, it’s my perception in grit and beauty. Resilience isn’t nearly pushing tougher, it’s about figuring out when to pause, breathe, and are available again sharper. My workforce additionally inspire me. They depend on me to steer the ship, and that duty retains me accountable. On the finish of the day, my success solely issues if my workforce is succeeding too.
What day by day habits or non-negotiable routines allow you to keep centered, creatively energized, and balanced as a founder?
I begin day by day with train. It clears my head and units the tone. Strolling my canine is non-negotiable, it grounds me. My mornings are structured and centered, however I additionally carve out area to suppose creatively concerning the greater image, not simply the day by day fires. I’ll admit, I typically slip into getting misplaced within the small stuff, it occurs. However I attempt to pull myself again and ask, “what’s actually essential right now?”
What’s been the best development lever for buying new shoppers or increasing your buyer base?
Phrase of mouth, all the time. If individuals really feel taken care of, they’ll come again they usually’ll carry their mates. The product issues, nice meals, heat service, an genuine ambiance, however relationships matter much more. That’s the place emotionally clever workforce members shine, they know the best way to construct actual connections with visitors.
What branding or advertising determination had the largest influence in elevating your online business and constructing belief along with your viewers?
Proudly owning our story. As a substitute of attempting to be polished and company, we leaned into being actual, native, and human. Individuals join with authenticity. That shift in how we offered ourselves utterly modified how prospects and workers noticed us.
At SW16 Bar & Kitchen, for instance, we give our groups autonomy. They get to construct relationships with visitors, form branding selections, and even affect the menu. Visitors put money into the individuals they see day by day, so empowering the workforce to be a part of the larger image has been highly effective.
How do you personally outline success, not simply as a enterprise proprietor, however as a lady dwelling a purpose-driven life?
For me, success is freedom of selection. It’s with the ability to design my life, spend time with the individuals I like, and create areas the place others can thrive. However freedom requires a worthwhile enterprise, run by individuals you belief.
Success additionally means being challenged. I like a problem, as a result of it means we’re rising. The issues we confronted 5 years in the past, I’d soak up stride right now. Every new problem is a chance to degree up. That’s why saving Mamma Dough was such a defining second for me. In 2023, my enterprise associate Emma Willis and I purchased the pizza group out of administration. Inside a 12 months, we turned a enterprise shedding £40,000 a month into one producing 1 / 4 of one million in web site degree EBITDA. That, to me, is success, dealing with down the not possible and proving what’s potential.
Are you able to share a mistake or misstep that taught you a lesson you continue to carry with you right now?
To start with, I attempted to do all the things myself. It practically broke me. The lesson? Delegate and belief your workforce. Individuals typically shock you whenever you give them duty. In fact, some will allow you to down, however you may’t let that cease you from trusting once more. The hot button is to take away the incorrect individuals rapidly and transfer ahead with the best ones.
What’s your finest recommendation for girls simply beginning out, particularly first-time entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed or not sure of their subsequent steps?
Don’t wait till you are feeling prepared, you by no means will. Begin small, take a look at, study, regulate. Construct a help system, ask for recommendation, and don’t let the concern of imperfection maintain you again. Progress over perfection, all the time.
How do you strategy threat and innovation, particularly when breaking new floor?
I calculate, then I leap. Danger is unavoidable, but it surely doesn’t should be reckless. I depend on each information and instincts, they’re equally essential. Innovation, for me, is about being courageous sufficient to strive one thing new and humble sufficient to confess when it doesn’t work.
For those who lead a workforce, how do you foster a tradition of belief, inclusivity, collaboration, and development?
I’m very clear about expectations, however I all the time lead with respect. Inclusivity isn’t about ticking bins, it’s about who will get a seat on the desk and whether or not they really feel they really belong there. I encourage my groups to problem me, to push again, and to carry their ardour into the room. Nothing is off the desk. That’s the way you construct belief and collaboration.
What are the highest 5 mindset shifts or private practices that helped you overcome self-doubt and develop your confidence as a lady entrepreneur?
- Again your self. For those who don’t, nobody else will.
- Progress over perfection. Challenges are simply you levelling up.
- View failure as suggestions. Pay these college charges!
- Boundaries shield each you and your online business. Create construction and time for your self.
- Grit and beauty, energy with compassion, are extra highly effective than both alone.
For those who may spark a world motion by your work, what wouldn’t it be and why is that mission significant to you?
I’d construct a motion round hospitality as a coaching floor for the following era of entrepreneurs. Hospitality teaches resilience, communication, management, downside fixing. It’s the last word college of life. Too typically, individuals see it as a stopgap job. I would like the world to see it as a launchpad for future leaders.
What’s a quote, philosophy, or guiding perception that shapes the way you lead, create, and stay day by day?
“Grit and beauty.” Push with energy, deal with with care. It’s how I practice, how I lead, and the way I stay.
The place can our viewers join with you, discover your work, or observe your entrepreneurial journey on-line?
Yow will discover me on LinkedIn, or observe our journey on @exhibitbalham, @sw16barandkitchen, and @mammadough. That’s the place we share what we’re constructing each day.
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