Brooks Reitz, Restaurateur | Your First Job

Brooks Reitz, a Charleston-based entrepreneur and restaurateur, joins host Leilani to discuss his entry and ultimate success in hospitality. Reitz emphasizes the importance of storytelling in his restaurants, drawing parallels to his early love for theater. He also shares insights on the challenges of running a restaurant group, including maintaining operations during the pandemic. Stay tuned and even get some early intel on Brooks’ latest endeavor in New Orleans! ABOUT BROOKS Brooks Reitz worked in restaurants from the age of 16, holding various positions before graduating college and becoming a Restaurant Manager. He moved to Charleston in 2007/8 and joined FIG as a server and bartender before being promoted to Manager. At 30, Reitz opened his first restaurant, Leon's Oyster Shop, which was followed by a string of others. ABOUT THE SHOW Your First Job is a podcast hosted by Leilani M. Brown, CEO of Giant Steps, LLC, exploring the early career experiences of successful individuals across various industries. Each episode features in-depth interviews with established professionals, executives, and thought leaders who share the challenges they faced and the lessons they learned in their first jobs. By debunking myths about overnight success and showcasing diverse career paths, the podcast aims to inform and inspire the next generation of talent, encouraging them to embrace and learn from their own initial work roles and every step—and stepping stone—along the way.