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Dave, Owner/CEO at Bar & Restaurant Patrol: Advize Career Interview
Dave, Owner/CEO of Bar & Restaurant Patrol, offers a compelling career narrative, transitioning from a college basketball player to a successful online entrepreneur after a seven-year "grind." A circuitous path through bartending and a pivotal decision to pursue a bar inventory franchise, fueled by a spouse's encouragement, led to creating proprietary software and leveraging YouTube for multiple revenue streams.
This self-described "one-man show" prioritizes flexibility and freedom, enjoying a recurring income that allows for personal pursuits while managing a diverse online presence.
Technological proficiency and perseverance are key skills, with a focus on strategic, concentrated efforts rather than spreading resources thin.
A deep commitment to serving the bar and restaurant industry, combined with a visionary, risk-taking spirit, defines success in this field.
Dave's advice for undergraduates emphasizes hands-on learning and pursuing passions, even advocating for unpaid internships to gain experience and discover what one loves, far surpassing the perceived limitations of traditional academic paths.
The interview concludes with a powerful message of not settling, embracing lifelong learning, and seeing failure as an opportunity for growth.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Dave Allred
Owner/CEO
Bar & Restaurant Patrol
Chico State University
NA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
English, Writing & Education
Food, Beverages & Alcohol
Entrepreneurship and Business Owner
Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Student Athlete
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Career Path of an Owner CEO at Bar and Restaurant Patrol
Dave's career path was circuitous, beginning with a college basketball focus and transitioning through various bartending roles—"the quicksand industry"—before a pivotal moment where Dave's wife encouraged them to pursue a bar inventory franchise. This eventually led to creating their own software and leveraging YouTube content to build multiple revenue streams, culminating in a successful online business after "a grind for seven years."
Main Responsibilities of an Owner and CEO of an Online Business
Dave, Owner/CEO of Bar & Restaurant Patrol, describes their role as a "one man show," despite having support staff for emails and software development. This highlights a deliberate choice to limit management responsibilities, even though the work encompasses content creation, marketing across "37" online platforms, and website development, leading to a self-acknowledged need to outsource more tasks in the future.
A Day In The Life Of An Owner And CEO At Bar And Restaurant Patrol
Dave's day-to-day activities as Owner/CEO of Bar & Restaurant Patrol are highly flexible, allowing for pursuits like "playing pickleball with my wife" due to a strong foundation of recurring revenue. This established income stream provides the luxury of prioritizing personal commitments without impacting business performance, as evidenced by a six-month period where minimal work was done yet income remained consistent.
Most Important Skills for an Owner at Bar and Restaurant Patrol
Dave, Owner/CEO at Bar & Restaurant Patrol, emphasizes the crucial role of technological proficiency in the online business world, stating, "there's just so much technology involved." This involves hands-on learning of various online tools and platforms, from website building to YouTube analytics, allowing for informed outsourcing decisions and "intelligent conversation" with hired professionals.
Favorite Parts Of Being An Owner And CEO At Bar And Restaurant Patrol
Dave's favorite aspect of being Owner/CEO is the "freedom to say yes to anything anytime," a desire stemming from a long-held entrepreneurial spirit, evident in past ventures, some successful, others not, ultimately leading to the current role. This freedom, avoiding the constraints of a traditional office job, fulfills a long-term career goal.
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Owner/CEO At Bar And Restaurant Patrol
Dave's biggest challenge as Owner/CEO of Bar & Restaurant Patrol is effectively allocating time and energy across numerous business development opportunities; the solution, Dave explains, is focusing on a "narrow and deep" approach, concentrating efforts on YouTube and email marketing instead of spreading resources thinly across multiple platforms, demonstrating the importance of strategic focus for online business growth.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Bar and Restaurant Industry as an Owner and CEO
Dave, Owner/CEO at Bar & Restaurant Patrol, enjoys helping bar and restaurant owners succeed, stating that "the only question you should be asking yourself every day...is, how can I serve my audience?". This approach, built over Dave's 30-year career in the industry and now expanded through online platforms, allows Dave to learn from others while simultaneously building trust and ultimately achieving business success, reflecting "the law of business".
Who Thrives In The Entrepreneurial Industry, According To An Owner And CEO At Bar & Restaurant Patrol
Dave, Owner/CEO of Bar & Restaurant Patrol, identifies thriving industry professionals as "visionaries" and "risk takers" who "swim upstream" and "don't wanna be put in a box," prioritizing freedom and diverging from the typical 9-to-5 mentality. This self-made entrepreneur emphasizes the importance of perseverance and a willingness to forge their own path, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit essential for success in this sector.
What An Owner CEO Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Online Entrepreneurship
Dave, Owner/CEO of Bar & Restaurant Patrol, emphasizes the crucial, often overlooked element of perseverance in online entrepreneurship, stating it took him "seven years" to achieve success—a timeframe he repeatedly encountered in his research. Dave advises aspiring entrepreneurs to commit to a proven formula, even when facing setbacks, unlike the "99% of people" who quit prematurely, thus highlighting the importance of long-term dedication for achieving substantial financial growth beyond the limitations of traditional employment.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Dave, Owner/CEO of Bar & Restaurant Patrol, suggests that an undergraduate student interested in this field should prioritize an internship at a startup, viewing "college as a bit of a scam" in terms of the purely academic value versus the cost. While acknowledging the significant benefits of the college experience in personal growth and development, Dave ultimately champions hands-on learning, recommending "working for someone for free just to learn what you wanna do."
Significant Career Lesson From An Owner And CEO At Bar And Restaurant Patrol
Dave, Owner/CEO of Bar & Restaurant Patrol, emphasizes the crucial lesson of not settling, urging people to "find a way to do what you wanna do on your terms," even if it requires maintaining a stable income. This advice stems from studies revealing a significant portion of the population regrets not reaching their potential, highlighting the importance of pursuing goals despite the risk of failure, as "there's no failure. All there is is learning from what didn't work."
College Experiences That Helped An Owner And CEO At Bar And Restaurant Patrol Succeed
Dave, Owner/CEO of Bar & Restaurant Patrol, found his undergraduate experience did not directly prepare him for his current career, stating, "I didn't do anything in my undergrad to set me up for my career," but valued the development of adult skills like budgeting and independent living. Instead, Dave's professional success stemmed from post-college learning through "podcasts and everything else," emphasizing the importance of finding a field one loves.
How Identity Has Influenced An Owner And CEO's Career At Bar And Restaurant Patrol
Dave's athletic background significantly shaped their career, instilling "discipline and hard work" and a deep appreciation for camaraderie, which translates to building strong connections with clients and fostering a supportive team environment in their business. The shared experience of athletic success, like "that connection of we just scored that bucket," informs their leadership style and approach to achieving goals.
Advizer Personal Links
therealbarman.com, barpatrol.net, restaurantpatrol.net, https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveallred1/, https://www.facebook.com/groups/156509118338154
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