We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chandon Sanders. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chandon below.

Chandon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

Yes, I do enjoy being a business owner. There’s a tremendous sense of fulfillment that comes from building something from the ground up, watching it grow, and creating opportunities for others. But, at the same time, it can be incredibly stressful. As an owner, you’re not just wearing one hat—you’re juggling a hundred. And while I don’t often dwell on what it would be like to only have a regular 9-to-5, I’ll admit there are moments during particularly challenging times when the thought crosses my mind. Those moments make you wonder how much simpler life could be without the constant weight of decision-making and unpredictability.

One vivid example that comes to mind happened at my sushi restaurant, Ninja Sushi Fort Worth. We were running smoothly, planning for a busy weekend, and everything seemed to be on track. Then, out of nowhere, our plumbing backed up due to a neighboring business failing to complete their own plumbing maintenance. Suddenly, I had to shut our doors for two days while they rectified the issue. It was chaos.

This kind of situation ripples through every part of the business. First, there’s the immediate impact on revenue—those are two days of sales we couldn’t make up for. Then, there’s the issue of perishable inventory. Sushi relies on the freshest ingredients, and we had to throw away a significant portion of our stock because we couldn’t use it in time. Beyond that, I had employees counting on their shifts, and I had to break the news to them that their hours were cut unexpectedly. It’s heartbreaking because you know they depend on that income.

The stress didn’t stop there. I spent sleepless nights thinking about how to minimize the damage, how to ensure customers wouldn’t lose trust in our reliability, and how to support my team through it all. It’s moments like those when the thought of stepping back, only having a job with clear boundaries—clocking in, doing your work, clocking out—feels appealing.

But then, as the dust settles, I remember why I chose this path. While the challenges are tough, they’re also opportunities to learn, grow, and adapt. That particular incident taught me to build even better systems to handle unexpected disruptions and highlighted the importance of fostering a strong relationship with my team and customers. It’s these hard-earned lessons that keep me moving forward and remind me of the bigger picture—the joy and purpose of creating something meaningful.

Chandon, 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?

For those who may not know me, my name is Chandon, and I’m an entrepreneur with a deep passion for hospitality, community, marketing, and building meaningful businesses. My journey began in 2009 when I worked as a promoter, organizing events with the legendary Dallas DJ QuickMixxRick. Those experiences ignited my passion for marketing, bringing people together, and set the foundation for my career in hospitality.

In February 2022, I took a major step by purchasing my first bar, The Local, with my friend and business partner, Brian Torres. Brian’s extensive experience in the bar and restaurant industry, paired with my vision for marketing and promotion, has made The Local a staple where people can connect and celebrate life’s moments. Then, in November 2023, I expanded into the restaurant industry by purchasing Ninja Sushi Fort Worth with my friend and CPA, Andy Fitzhugh. Together, we’re dedicated to maintaining Ninja Sushi’s reputation for excellence, offering fresh, delicious sushi, for a fair price, in a warm and inviting atmosphere.

While promotions is where my entrepreneurial journey started, I’ve also expanded into other industries outside of marketing and hospitality. I’ve invested in real estate as part of a broader effort to diversify and grow, and I launched MacRestos.com, an e-commerce business specializing in refurbished Apple MacBooks. MacRestos offers an affordable way for students, professionals, and tech enthusiasts to access premium Apple products while promoting sustainability by extending the life of these devices. It’s a venture I’m particularly proud of because it aligns with my values of quality and accessibility.

What ties all my businesses together is a commitment to creating value and fostering community. Whether it’s ensuring every dish at Ninja Sushi is crafted with precision, creating a comfortable and fun atmosphere at The Local, or providing reliable and affordable technology through MacRestos.com, I strive to offer more than just a product or service—I aim to create experiences that both matter and are memorable.

Fort Worth is at the heart of everything I do. My family has deep roots in this city, and I’m incredibly proud to call it home. My father, Bob Ray Sanders, has made an indelible mark on this community, and I strive every day to build on his legacy by contributing to the city that shaped me. Whether through my businesses, community involvement, or simply being a proud Fort Worth resident, my goal is to give back to the place that has given me so much.

What I’m most proud of is the sense of connection and trust we’ve built across all of my ventures. Seeing customers return, whether to enjoy sushi, relax at The Local, or shop for a MacBook, reaffirms why I do what I do. For me, entrepreneurship is about more than just business—it’s about building relationships, making a positive impact, and leaving a legacy that lasts.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding my business journey was not something that happened overnight—it was a deliberate, strategic process that started with discipline and careful planning. The first step was working my 9-to-5 and building up a solid emergency fund. Having that financial safety net was critical because it gave me the confidence to start setting aside money for investments without the constant worry of unforeseen expenses derailing my plans.

Once I had that foundation in place, I began looking for ways to grow my savings. I taught myself day trading as a way to generate additional capital, though I’ll be the first to admit that day trading isn’t for everyone. It’s an incredibly risky strategy, and in hindsight, it’s something I’d caution others against pursuing unless they’re deeply educated about the risks and willing to handle the volatility. Instead, I strongly recommend a more stable approach to investing, such as building wealth through ETFs and mutual funds. These are great options for growing your holdings over time without the stress and unpredictability of day trading.

Over time, I was able to grow my savings enough to start exploring business opportunities. I spent countless hours researching and analyzing potential ventures, debating whether to start a business from scratch or acquire an existing one. After plenty of back and forth, I made my first major acquisition—major for me, anyway—when I purchased The Local, a bar in the West 7th district of Fort Worth, in February 2022. That purchase marked a turning point in my journey and validated all the hard work, discipline, and planning I had put in.

Since then, my approach to funding and growth has remained consistent. I reinvest the profits from my businesses back into new ventures, whether that means starting something from the ground up or acquiring an established operation. For example, the year after purchasing The Local I partnered with Andy to purchase Ninja Sushi Fort Worth. Additionally, I’ve diversified with several other ventures, as well as continuing to purchase stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds I plan to hold for long term growth.

Saving and reinvesting have become core principles of my business philosophy. I try to live by the mindset that every dollar earned should be used strategically—either to grow existing ventures or to fund new opportunities. While the journey hasn’t always been easy, the reward of seeing these investments grow and thrive has been more than worth it.

If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to anyone looking to fund their own business, it’s this: start small, focus on building a strong financial foundation, and be patient. Saving consistently and investing wisely—whether in yourself, your knowledge, or the market—can set you up for success over time. Taking calculated risks is part of the process, but having a clear plan and financial discipline can help you weather the challenges and come out stronger on the other side.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Absolutely. A story that really illustrates my resilience is the current journey Brian Torres and I are on as we work to open another bar in the River District area of Fort Worth. When we started this project, we initially anticipated opening in August 2024. However, here we are in mid-January 2025, and we’re still not open. It’s been a rollercoaster of challenges, but each one has reinforced our determination and belief in what we’re building.

One of the biggest roadblocks we faced was having to change our entire concept due to zoning regulations. This unexpected shift not only required us to completely rethink our vision for the bar but also impacted the architectural designs we had already worked on. We had to go back to the drawing board—literally—and make adjustments that aligned with the new concept while still staying true to the quality and experience we want to bring to the community.

On top of that, working with the City of Fort Worth to obtain the proper building permits has been an extensive and, at times, frustrating process. From navigating intricate regulations to waiting for approvals, it’s tested our patience and our ability to adapt. However, despite these delays and obstacles, Brian and I remain steadfast. We know we have a quality concept that the community will love, and that belief keeps us moving forward.

What’s been incredibly encouraging during this time is the excitement and support from locals who’ve heard about the project. People regularly ask me when we’ll be open because they’re eager to visit as soon as the doors are ready to open. That kind of enthusiasm is a constant reminder of why we’re doing this—it’s not just about opening another bar; it’s about creating a space that adds value to the River District and brings people together.

I also want to give a big shoutout to Brian, who has been instrumental in keeping things moving. He’s worked tirelessly with the architect, general contractor, and the city to overcome each hurdle. His dedication and problem-solving mindset have been invaluable throughout this process, and I’m grateful to have such a hardworking and committed partner by my side.

This journey has been a lesson in resilience. It’s about staying focused on the end goal, even when the road is longer and harder than expected. It’s about embracing challenges as opportunities to refine your vision and push yourself to keep going. And most importantly, it’s about never losing sight of why you started in the first place—because the reward of building something meaningful for the community is worth every setback.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandon-sanders-a178a1118?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: https://ninjasushifortworth.com/
  https://www.macrestos.com/
  https://www.instagram.com/thelocalfortworth
  https://www.instagram.com/ninjasushifortworth