#134 Behind the Grind: Deli Owner Dishes on Everything

Welcoming you back with another Behind the Grind interview🎙️ 

Here’s what Gemini says is the secret sauce “behind the grind”:

I had something much longer drafted here, but I’m breaking it down into a smaller, more manageable intro.

Let’s get right to our interview, featuring 43-year-old deli owner Don Kenneally.

• Behind The Grind: Deli Owner Serves Up Food for Thought💰️ 📈 🚀 
   

• Founder’s Note: The Most Underrated Aspect of Customer Loyalty 💰️ 📈 🚀

BEHIND THE GRIND🎙️ 

Ownership, Dependability, and Something Better Than Gold!

Don Kenneally owns and operates Croton Mini Deli in Westchester County, NY. It has been nominated. It’s a family-run business for over thirty years, with Don taking the lead for the last 17. They are known for high-quality food, outstanding service, and fair prices.

INTRO 🤝

What’s your “WHY" for what you do? 

I tried early in my career to sit behind a desk and found out quickly that wasn't for me. I found working for myself and with my family gave me opportunities to chart the way I wanted to live my life. Owning a deli isn't something you grow up dreaming about, but it’s given me the chance to create and be in charge.

LET’S FATTEN THAT WALLET 💰️ 

How do you define a "rich” life? 

Rich to me doesn't necessarily mean how much money you have. I know plenty of unhappy “rich” people. Happy, healthy kids and a spouse that is by your side could never have a price tag.

Share one thing about money that would benefit our readers:

It's not everything. Find value in what you do, but time is something you can never get back. If you’re valuing money over life’s important moments, you will regret it.

What’s one money move you regret? What's the lesson that came with it?

Not setting aside money earlier. I’m applying the lesson by making sure my kids don't make the same mistake.

When did you first feel rich - not in money, but in freedom, confidence, or control?

11 years ago, my wife and I built our dream home with the help of family and friends. We moved back to my hometown, and I knew we’d be here forever. It was the first time I had roots of my own and had control of how deep they would go.

LET’S ELEVATE THAT BRAND 📈 

What's your secret weapon when it comes to networking IRL or online?

In my business, networking takes on a different meaning. I’ve been blessed to have customers who are involved in both blue- and white-collar professions. In many ways, I have a "guy" for everything. It's important to never take that for granted and make sure if you tell someone you're going to do something, you do it. Referrals in my networking circles are like gold.

What’s a communication skill that changed the game for you and why?

Listen. Just listen. You learn a lot from not being the one always talking. For me, when a customer trusts me enough to tell me something important or exciting or sad in their lives, it means they value our relationship both in business and beyond. Sometimes people just need an ear to lean on.

Why are relationships important when it comes to money, business, life etc. and what's your number one piece of advice for fostering long-term relationships?  

The fastest way to lose trust is to not be dependable. Remember that. If I have something important going on, the only people I call are the ones I know will pick up. It’s a good lesson both in life and business.

What's one tip you love when it comes to negotiation, and how do you apply it?

As far as owning a deli, vendors have to know they are not your only choice. The more choice you have to get the same product, the better price you’re able to get it at. Low costs in, lower costs out, and everyone wins.

LET’S BOOST THAT PRODUCTIVITY🚀 

How do you stay productive when times get challenging?

Remember why you're doing what you're doing. There are plenty of times when I wish I wasn't the last answer. When I could use a sick day, or just stay home because I needed a mental health day. Then I remember the good of what I'm doing, and it always outweighs the bad.

What's your take on AI? Love it, hate it or still figuring it out? How do you plan to use it to your advantage in the long term?

Definitely still figuring it out. I’m so intrigued by how far it could take medicine and science, though.

What’s one lifestyle habit that boosts your productivity to get sh!t done?

The last minute will sure get sh!t done!

What does work-life balance mean to you? Why is it important?

It's very important to find a happy medium. I’ve afforded myself the ability to make sure I'm around for a lot of my kids’ sports.

When was the last time you burned out — and how did you bounce back?

When you have 3 young kids, bills, and a business, burnouts happen a lot. I try and remind myself that one day I’ll look back and miss the moments I'm in now.

How important is rest to you? When you're well-rested, what's different about you? Mentally, emotionally, creatively? 

Never been much of a sleeper. I think I have fear of missing out or wasting time. Wish I had more sometimes, though. That's for sure.

RAPID FIRE FUN 🔥 

• A splurge you’ll never regret: Vacation. Take them, make time for them. Near or far I've never regretted being with my family or friends.

• Bucket list place to travel: Luckily I’ve had the opportunity to travel to some amazing place in my life. Alaska and Aruba are still on my list.

• If you had to completely change careers, what would you choose and why? Law enforcement. Always respected what they do and have the ability to help others at the same time.

• Best piece of advice you've heard that still hits hard today? Don't eat yellow snow! I mean that's a good one, but seriously - don’t forget every day is a blessing, and we aren't guaranteed the next one. Too often, the stresses we have today take away from the moments we are in.

• What's a popular piece of advice you intentionally ignore and disagree with and why? Don't eat yellow snow....it's not always pee 🤣

• Something you wish you knew how to do/plan to learn in the future: Play guitar. Always loved music.

• If you could text your younger self one quick message, what would it say? It’s all going to work out.

• Any last gem you want to drop that would benefit our readers? I’m going to be honest and say I didn't think I was a good choice for this interview. I’m not tech savvy, or into investments. But I love that it's given me a chance to reflect on the some of the choices I have made, and I'm happy I’ve made them. From Wall Street to Main Street, I think we all have the same goal, and that is to be the best version of ourselves. Sometimes we stray, and sometimes we find it again. But I think that's what it's all about. Be you. Do you. In business, life and love. Thanks for the opportunity to share.

FOUNDER’S NOTE ✍️ 

I want to go deeper on Don’s answer re: networking:

In my business networking takes on a different meaning. I’ve been blessed to have customers who are involved in both blue collar and white collar professions. In many ways I have a "guy" for everything. It's important to never take that for granted and make sure if you tell someone you're going to do something you do it. Referrals in my networking circles are like gold.

This is a very underrated benefit of running a small local business and/or side-hustle (as long as you’re dependable and your service is good, which Don also stressed above). You don’t only profit off of sales; when you build trust and loyalty, you forge relationships whose benefits go far beyond breakfast regulars and catering orders. A plumbing emergency, an accountant to handle your tax return, a marketing expert or web designer when you want to expand your business - if you build that rapport with your customers, you - like Don - could have “a guy” for anything and everything…because customers aren’t only about the money you get from them.

The lesson is applicable for non-business owners as well because the premise is classic and timeless: if you take care of people, they’ll take care of you (most of the time).

Before You Go

Hope you enjoyed Don’s interview! Let us know your thoughts in the poll below.

Next week, we’ll bounce back from the holiday with September’s Growth Edition, featuring August trends, new Content for Your Commute, and some communication advice from our resident professor.

Community Poll 📊 

As always, see you next Tuesday 🤝 

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