We recently connected with Nick & Leigh Calkins and have shared our conversation below.

Nick & Leigh, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about your team building process? How did you recruit and train your team and knowing what you know now would you have done anything differently?

We are very lucky to have such an amazing team that most have been with us for so many years!
We are not the traditional (especially corporate) hiring/training company. In 2007, both Nick and his old business partner were working many hours along side of the new hires they found from different sources, Craig’s list, ads, etc. Over time, word spread it’s more FUN to work at Canoe Club. Previous co-workers from our employees came to work for us instead. Getting referrals from people we know have worked out best for us! Plus, treating our staff with respect and rewarding them anyway we can.
Our interview process is usually pretty quick.
•what’s you’re experience?
•what’s your availability?
•do you have reliable transportation?
•let’s see what you’ve got!!
Then, based off that, begins training. Keeping it simple.
Training starts off with a tour, any rules, menu items, drink items, plus employee benefits! Then, they just have to show us if they’ve got what it takes.
For our small restaurant, this process have been working for us for years. It seems to weed out anyone that won’t fit our business structure.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

We are a small locally owned restaurant near a small lake. Our theme is knotty pine, canoes, paddles, row boats, nautical things, and black and white photos of old lake rats (local lake people) from years past.
Our lake is 48% full time residents, so come summer time, the lake life is going strong!
We’ve been open since 2007 and have many of the same customers since then. What sets us apart is recognizing customers, knowing what they usually drink, and making them fell special. Having a staff that has been there for years, most are very familiar with the regulars.
We are known for our SoCal “Phish Tacos,” named after an old jam band. You’ll usually hear bluegrass music or great music over the speakers. Plus we love having live local music one or twice a month.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Our social media is very personal. Being a small business in a smaller town, most of our followers know us, our family, and our staff! They love seeing pictures of or hearing story’s via solía media. I take updated photos of our drinks and menu items and post about one or two posts daily, plus lots of stories. I try to mention daily specials so it’s the first thing that pops up.

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

Covid was rough. The government required us to do take out only for 3 months and not sell any liquor. Sales were way down.
However, we were able to keep all of our staff employeed! Our customers truly came through too! So many people chose us to get their food and bring it home, They over tipped, they smiled, and they kept us in business. Since many of these Mo thx were during spring/summer months, people were out working and using their lake homes. So our population doubled! We were very fortunate.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.canoeclubkc.com
• Instagram: @Canoeclubkc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/canoeclubkc/