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This Wednesday’s company spotlight is on Z Café and Bar and its founder and owner, Mehdi Zarekari. Z Café and Bar, located just north of downtown in Oakland, California, offers fresh, local Californian cuisine and an extensive bar.
The restaurant is housed in a building that was originally built in 1924 as a showroom for the Howard Automobile Company. Charles S. Howard, who is famous for having owned the racehorse Seabiscuit, wanted a building that was nothing short of spectacular to display his cars. Z Café and Bar has incorporated many of the structure's original features.
Mehdi and his wife Sheila took the plunge into small business entrepreneurship when they opened Z Café and Bar in 2005. Mehdi started working in the restaurant industry waiting tables at age 18, and soon found his genius working in the fast-paced bar scene. He was so well regarded at each of his jobs that managers sometimes refused to give him days off. With more than 30 years of restaurant experience, he now enjoys running his own bar where he continually develops “Mehdi specials.”
Despite the weak economy, 2009 was Z Cafe & Bar’s most profitable year yet. 2010 looks every bit as promising for the restaurant. Mehdi believes that Z Café and Bar will likely do even better in 2010 than it did in 2009.
What gave you the idea to start this business?
It had always been a dream of mine to start my own restaurant. This dream might have never come true if I had not met my wife Sheila, whose love for cooking and belief in my ability encouraged both of us to team up and put everything we owned into starting this business.
What business challenges has your restaurant faced?
With this restaurant--our first business--we faced many unexpected expenses, especially during the start-up process. My wife and I dug deeper and deeper into our reserves, at one point reaching the absolute bottom just before turning the corner toward profitability. It was pretty scary!
What words of advice do you have for business owners?
Continue to improve your business every day. Your work is never finished. If you think that you see the light at the end of the tunnel, you are looking the wrong way.
What are your top five tips to thrive in these tough economic times?
1. Do not give up.
2. Work harder than usual until we get over this economy. If you can survive this period, you will be rewarded in a big way once the recession is over.
3. If your business is not expanding, find ways to cut costs. Small cuts add up and can save your business.
4. Train, train, and train your employees well.
5. Make sure your employees know that you are fully aware of their actions. Appreciate their positive efforts, and guide them in the right direction when they fail.
For more information, you can visit www.zcafeandbar.com or call 510-663-2905. Better still, check out Z Café and Bar for yourself at 2735 Broadway, Oakland, Calif., 94612.
Special thanks to Elissa Leonard, research assistant and writer at The Law Office of Delida Costin.
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