FULL COMP · 2026-07-28 · 39 min
What if owning a restaurant isn’t the win you think it is, but a risk most people misunderstand? Helen Johannesen didn’t just step into ownership, she sacrificed for it. Walking away from financial stability and taking a major pay cut, she bet on herself and a single restaurant that could have gone either way. Today, she’s a partner behind one of LA’s most respected hospitality groups and the force behind a wine brand built on trust, not intimidation. In this conversation, we unpack what ownership really demands, and why it’s not a universal path. Helen breaks down the illusion of revenue versus profit, why equity isn’t the right incentive for most teams, and how she built a wine program that rejects exclusivity in favor of access. If you’re chasing ownership - or questioning it - this episode will force a reset. To explore her selections and join the club, visit helenswines.com . _________________________________________________________ Free 5-Day Restaurant Marketing Masterclass - This is a live training where you'll learn the exact campaigns Josh has built and tested in real restaurants to attract new guests, increase visit frequency, and generate sales on demand.
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