We recently connected with Michael Vaughn and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

Before I owned Zebra Lounge I bought the one in Chicago from the previous owner. I worked there as a bartender for many years. I have always appreciated that opportunity. It was a lot of hard work, but it paid off

Michael, 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 started out as a dishwasher in a bar in Royal Oak MI. I fell in love with bartending. From there I moved on to barback then as a bartender by the time I started at the Zebra Lounge Chicago. I bought the Zebra Lounge Chicago from its owner in 2009. Then I opened Zebra Lounge Memphis in Overton Square in 2014.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When I bought the Zebra Lounge Chicago I had to put it all on 0% interest credit cards. It was a struggle and I had to juggle the expiring interest rates on to other 0% offers but I got it all paid off ahead of schedule, without ever paying a penny in interest or fees. Zebra Lounge Memphis was financed by my own funds with a little bit of 0% credit card magic as well

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

During the pandemic both of the bars were closed for about a year. That was a very difficult time. I was not sure if I would go broke and never reopen again. Luckily I was able to squeak by .Although it was very unpleasant , I did learn a lot

Contact Info:

• Website: thezebralounge.net

Image Credits
m vaughn