Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amir Salih. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amir, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

The current industry standard seems to be driven by generating as much revenue as possible before the novelty wears off. Overall, quality is usually sacrificed for being able to oversaturate a market with options to choose from. Part of my mission is to never compromise the high quality standards I put into my product. Keep it simple…you don’t need to have 25-30 items to choose from. Come up with a few items that can be consistently produced at a high level of quality. Sharpen your focus, and really nail down your processing. Each step should be grounded in what your principles are. Personally, that means executing the proper steps so that the end result is always a quality product. It should be an even exchange between provider and consumer. If someone takes time out their day and is interested in spending money with you, it is your duty to make sure they are receiving a quality product. It should be non-negotiable…even at the sacrifice of time and labor. Always present your best if you want to be taken seriously.

Amir, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and come from a family of restaurateur’s. Both my great-grandmother and mother owned and operated restaurants in the past. So it was only natural for me to do the same, right? WRONG!!! I actually went to school for Sports Medicine, because back then I had zero interest in following my family’s legacy. But things happen, paths change and I found my way back into the food service industry. I now own and operate S&S Culinary Creations which provides private chef and catering services. Located in Jacksonville, Florida I provide private, to corporate dining experiences backed by over 25+ years of service experience. My goal is to always provide a delicious, clean, and positive dining experience. I have a passion for helping to enhance people’s quality of life. I’ve found that I have the ability to do so through honesty, integrity, and good food.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

That in business, the customer is always right. What a load of misinformation that was…because the customer is NOT always right! There is a certain etiquette and decorum that should be maintained when doing business. Do not be afraid to refuse service if a customers behavior causes an uncomfortable situation. You offer a service, you are not a servant or less than because you choose to do so!

Any advice for managing a team?

Be honest and develop how to effectively communicate with the people you work with. Always find the time to teach while also continuing to learn. Allow room for feedback, creativity, and constructive criticism. Show them that you care, and PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES A FAIR WAGE!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @anotheryummycreation
• Twitter: @AnotherYummyCR
• Youtube: AnotherYummyCreation
• Other: Tiktok- @anotheryummycreation