We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Huntley Castner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Huntley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Many times I have had people ask me why I have chosen my life as a restaurant industry executive and painter. They often suggest my life would have been far easier if I had chosen less risky professions and hobbies. They might be right; the restaurant industry has a high rate of failure and low margins. I am fortunate enough to have attended Stanford University as an undergrad and UCLA’s MBA program, then started my career in investment banking and management consulting. They say, “If you’d stayed on that track, you’d likely have made millions and be retired by now”. But, that was not my path.

I had this incredible interest in the restaurant business–everything about it: the culinary arts, the social aspect of the business, the immediate response from your customers, the decorative environment. And, thus, even though I’d never worked for a restaurant before, against almost everyone’s advice, I raised money and started my first restaurant with a business partner at age 26. I remember the early days well, even though it was 33 years ago–definitely the feeling of having a tiger by the tail. It was successful, but never easy, and we worked hard to stay afloat and raise money to open others. Eventually, we had four restaurants in San Francisco. Our WA-HA-KA Mexican Grills were cutting edge places, with unique food, a new service model, and cool environments for their time. I painted most of the decorative elements–mostly Mexican folk art, We had a blast and ran them for about ten years.

Unfortunately, competitive entry by other comparable restaurants divided the pie in later years, and eventually we fell to break-even and even losses. We couldn’t sustain it any longer, and ultimately sold the business to some competitors. I was able to parlay the experience, when combined with my MBA and work history, into executive positions at restaurant companies like Panda Express, Yogurtland, Veggie Grill, Tender Greens and Tocaya. My business partner also transitioned into other restaurant industry positions. We both have done well, and I’d like to say we took it in stride and came out better in the end, but I have to admit the the passing of WA-HA-KA was heart-breaking for both of us.

Would I do it again? YES. It was a big risk, but the right one. It was my path. I needed to do it. It led me to where I am today, and fulfilled many desires I had to pursue. I cannot imagine my life without that chapter.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My painting practice grew out of my restaurant industry experiences. While I was an artistic kid, I never studied art seriously. While I loved art and minored in Art History at Stanford, I only took one drawing class (and no painting classes) in my life. Much of my art expression came from decorating our four San Francisco restaurants in the 1990s. I painted often–mostly Mexican or Cajun folk art, and really enjoyed it.

Then, I had children and did NOT touch a paint brush for twenty years. Only after my kids went off the college did I start painting again, and with a vengeance. I evolved into a genre I loved–painting over-sized portraits (typically 4-6 feet tall) on plywood of people that inspire me. It is still folk art–just of modern day folk heroes. I had a show this last summer at Culture Brewing in Manhattan Beach where I was the artist in residence during the month of August and got to show thirty paintings.

I do my art for me, but I have found that people enjoy it, probably because they are inspired by the subjects just as much as I am. Among those subjects at the recent show were Nelson Mandela, Bill Russell, Mary Tyler Moore, Roberto Clemente, Amy Winehouse, Jackie Robinson, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in addition to local heroes here in the South Bay.

I have started doing commission work, but am honestly pretty picky about who I paint. If a customer wants someone who inspires me, I’ll paint it for them. If not, I’ll politely pass. My queue of heroes to paint is just too long!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have pivoted many times in my career.

After Stanford, I started working in a prestigious and high paying industry (investment banking)–that I didn’t love, so I left it. During my MBA program at UCLA, I started working in management consulting, which I did love, and enjoyed for many years. But, I loved the restaurant industry more, and so eventually I left consulting to do restaurants full time.

When my own restaurants ran their course, I went back to consulting and eventually left again to join one of my clients–Panda Express. That led to other positions in other companies. And because restaurants are risky and often fail, I have left several companies to join others.

After not touching a paintbrush for twenty years, my entry back into painting is another pivot that has led to growth and a lot of enjoyment.

It is not easy leaving one place or one activity to join another. It means leaving people you care about and comfortable processes. But it is often the right (and only thing) to do. It leads to new experiences and growth.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My reputation as a painter is just starting. Until 12 months ago, most people didn’t know I could paint at all. Most are pretty surprised, honestly.

Two things have helped me build my reputation as a painter. First, my wife runs an instagram account called Huntleycastnerportraits that introduced folks to my work. She has been wonderful in supporting me.

Secondly, and more importantly, the good folks at Culture Brewing gave me the platform to show my work in an exclusive art show called Huntley’s Heroes last August. 30 paintings over a lot of wall space. Good reviews, and we sold eight paintings. A very good start.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: huntleycastnerportraits