Many business owners we’ve spoken with didn’t start with a huge team on day one. They had to learn how to be a good boss, but the problem is the books on leadership are often highly theoretical and so we wanted to hear practical examples of what it means to be a good boss. So, we asked some brilliant, insightful folks to share stories about the best bosses they’ve had.

Heather Gillis

My first real tour experience was with Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers Band). Butch loved improvised music and taking risks. He taught me how to really listen and be in the moment on stage. Read more>>

Harrison Cheney

The Best boss I ever had was actually two people, Jacob Homström and Anton Bjuhr – the two owners of Gastrologik. They were both very very different people, individually they were great leaders and role models but together they were incredible, they gave me an opportunity to be creative, to learn and to be myself as a leader within their restaurant when the time came. Read more>>

Betty Beyene

Under the guidance of the best boss and mentor I’ve encountered, I found validation and empowerment in environments where my youth and ethnicity might otherwise have marginalized me. Read more>>

Lindsay Parkin

I have worked at the St. Lucie Draft House since 2009, and the owner, Tami Mchale, is one of the most amazing bosses I’ve ever had! At the age of 16, Tami hired me as a hostess. Read more>>

Daniel Farm

The previous owner and a close mentor of mine, Robert Rabinoff, gave me the tools and confidence to be able to run my own business. Back in the day when he started out, he graduated from Johnson and Wales and worked in and for many talented chefs in and out of Boston. Read more>>

Ben Straily

When I was in high school I had an uncle who ran a catering company. I worked for him for 4 years just a few times a week, but every time I went in to work I saw how much he put into his own business and how passionate he was. Read more>>