We were lucky to catch up with Orin Abrams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Orin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

By far, the most unexpected challenge I’ve faced in my professional career, was the COVID-19 shutdown. As ‘lease operator of the food & beverage concessions at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course, +80% of my revenue was derived from pre-booked event services (‘mass gatherings’), weddings representing the lion’s share. Weddings and other special events tend to be high stress for clients without this added dilemma, and one of the things which I prided myself in, was my ability to provide a level of calm, via expertise, experience, compassion, empathy and integrity. I had the foresight to have had an ironclad contract, which anticipated and provided for such possibilities as pandemics. However, being with whom the buck stopped for so many upset and emotional clients, parents of brides included, didn’t mean that being ‘right’, automatically equated with ease and grace. So, I personally fielded and responded to hundreds of calls and in person meetings, where clients often came in ‘guns blazing’, demanding full & unconditionally complete refunds. Getting from that erroneous presumption to the reality of allowing re-booking vs. refunds, was delicate indeed, and called for my very most heart-centered abilities. Every day had new confrontations awaiting, sometimes combative, always challenging. I am so grateful and proud to have successfully navigated two years and hundreds of these challenges. These events were scheduled from just days away to several months out, in the shadow of multiple civil rules and regulations from several entities, unclear and ever-changing. Truth & steadfast integrity my north star, only one went to litigation, in which I prevailed. This challenge felt, at times over-whelming, but in the end, I was reminded many times over, of the value of treating everyone with respect, and just doing the right thing. Sometimes that meant compromise, other times it meant creativity, and still others, authentic empathy.

Orin, 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?

In 1982, leaving a University of Virginia PhD program in Social/Medical Psychology, I hitch-hiked across the country, back to California, for the first time, without a plan. I ended up bussing tables at the world renowned Summit Restaurant at the Harrah’s Hotel & Casino in South Lake Tahoe, CA. From busser to waiter to captain, I was very fortunate to have the best in the business as my mentor, a Swiss-German Maitre D, who ruled with an iron fist. I learned everything there was to know about fine dining, wines, tableside flame, and more. In 1987 I moved on to San Francisco’s Spectrum Foods Manager in Training program, followed by teaming up with my former mentor, as his Food & Beverage Director within his newly formed company, providing food & beverage services as a lease tenant, in hotels. After having assisted in growth from one to five properties in CA & TX, then as Vice President Operations & Development, I ventured out on my own in 1997, providing similar services in two CA hotels, then a golf course was added in 2004. At the same time, I went back to higher education, gaining a Masters in Spiritual Psychology, with an emphasis in Consciousness, Health & Healing, and then a Certificate in Soul Centered Professional Coaching. I believe that what sets me apart from others, is my hands on experience in every role within the food & beverage industry, from busser & dishwasher to waiter & cook, to owner, coupled with my education & training in listening, coaching and leadership. In my current role with Abrams Consulting Services, I bring a unique perspective to assisting others in navigating unknown and challenging territories, experience based, trained to listen, and with steadfast integrity as my guide.

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

What most helped me build my reputation within my market, is my track record of success, along with my steadfast integrity philosophy.

Conversations about M&A are often focused on multibillion dollar transactions – but M&A can be an important part of a small or medium business owner’s journey. We’d love to hear about your experience with selling businesses.

When I sold my business in operations, I did so by identifying my key value propositions to my key potential customer. I then outlined a win-win open dialogue, wherein both parties were able to see a similar of not identical shared vision/goal, and work together towards the same outcome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abramscs.com
• Other: Please contact Sina from the below, for additional links, if desired. Sina Azari Executive Strategist www.AllMindset.com All Mindset Studio 8285 E. Santa Ana Canyon Rd. Suite 135 Anaheim, Ca. 92808