#26. Bobby Rutter (Forward Hospitality)

This week on the Love in the Land podcast, we’re joined by Cleveland native and entrepreneur, Bobby Rutter! By day, Bobby is an insurance lawyer and partner at Rutter & Russin LLC. By night, he serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Forward Hospitality, the powerhouse behind some of Cleveland’s most iconic bars and nightclubs, including FWD Day + Nightclub, Welcome to the Farm, and Good Night John Boy. What began as a local venture has rapidly expanded, with Forward Hospitality now making waves nationally. In this episode, Austin sits down with Bobby to dive into his journey as an entrepreneur, from how his family influenced his business mindset to the early challenges of launching his first nightclub alongside friend Dante Deiana. Bobby shares the story of how they transformed a vacant lot in the then-desolate Flats East Bank into Cleveland’s hottest nightlife destination and how they’ve continued to create innovative, successful concepts. Bobby also opens up about his thoughts on Cleveland’s evolving entertainment scene, including the Browns’ potential move from downtown and its broader implications. Stay connected with Bobby on Instagram at @bobby_rutter and follow his company, @forwardhospitality, for the latest updates. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the Love in the Land podcast with Austin Love, available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. Enjoy the episode!