We were lucky to catch up with Megan Fortado recently and have shared our conversation below.
Megan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Any advice for creating a more inclusive workplace?
I believe that when it comes to bar & restaurant atmospheres and the way we operate, it is imperative to have a diverse staff. Just as the mix of customers we welcome into The Poe House each day, we have created a staff with a mix of backgrounds, experience & personalities. I think most people look for places to grab a drink and a bite to eat that have a welcoming and inviting feeling. I have strived to work for places that align with my values and that offer a culture of inclusion. When we bought The Poe House it was a a no brainer to make sure we offered for both guests and employees, the environment and action of inclusion.
Growing up in San Diego, I took for granted the open mindedness of the city. Moving to Hendersonville taught me that taking inclusion for granted was not an option. Fir me personally, it has been a goal from day one to make sure that when you step through our red front door, you feel welcome, safe and appreciated.
Megan, 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 am born and raised in San Diego, CA and loved the diversity of my city! I worked in various restaurants and bars for about 20 years before moving with my husband to Western North Carolina. Upon moving to Hendersonville, we knew we wanted to open a business that would add something unique to our town. In our research we came across The Poe House for sale and decided we wanted to make it ours! We bought The Poe House September 1, 2019, six months prior to the pandemic. In a business that has always attracted resilient workers and a typically unwavering customer base, it was a dead stop for us all. I feel that we only have proven more so that we are the dedicated, determined individuals we’ve known we were all along. Despite the many moments I found myself saying, “how can we continue” I knew we would survive. With our outstanding community we were able to not only continue providing our guests with a place to gather but also a feeling of gratitude for every dollar that was spent in The Poe House helping us and our staff survive a very unsure time.
I am so proud of our staff for their loyalty and commitment to showing up everyday and making The Poe House a success. We welcome you into The Poe House so we can offer you a place to relax, enjoy your time and share a smile!
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
First and foremost you need to have respect. Respect for your employees, respect for your business and most importantly, respect for yourself! Communication is the other side of the coin. No matter if something is good, bad or in between, it needs to be discussed and addressed. That goes for the staff, management, and ownership, so that we can make our guests experience the best we can. Open conversation with employees is paramount also so that we are all on the same page and everyone’s needs are met.
Respect and communication are the pillars in business for a satisfied staff and guest experience.
Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.
Buying The Poe House was a whirlwind! From the first day we discovered it was for sale to the day of purchase, it felt like only a few days. There was quite a bit of stress and nerves between my husband and I as we went through the process of purchasing The Poe House. Since I had run businesses in California previously, North Carolina had it’s challenges in terms of the process of acquiring our licenses and learning the ropes of ordering and laws that are vastly different from what I had known previously.
The liquor license was probably the most stress since we had to commute back and forth to Raleigh so many times before being issued our permits.
After meeting our new staff for the first time, it felt like home. We were fortunate that we could keep many things the way they were and find a few places to improve and grow.
I would do it all over again a thousand times over. It has been a very humbling and rewarding journey that has taught me so much in the last five years.
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Jana Dillard Megan Fortado