EPISODE · Jun 22, 2025 · 44 MIN
Ep. 156 Vickie Zambrano
from Hello Chaos · host Vickie Zambrano, Jennifer Sutton, Chandler Mays (Producer)
Key Takeaways:1️⃣ You don’t have to have a plan—just the guts to say yes.Vickie never dreamed of owning a restaurant, but bold moves (and a stubborn streak) turned a casual idea into a thriving business. Founders: you don’t need it all figured out—just get started.2️⃣ Culture is your greatest asset—protect it like hell.Hiring slow, firing fast, and leading with empathy helped Vickie build a loyal, culture-driven team that shows up when it counts. Respect beats fear every time.3️⃣ Chaos is inevitable. Isolation is optional.Printer breaks? Espresso fails? Staff drama? It all happens. What matters is having a ride-or-die community that rallies with you—not around you. Build your support system before you think you’ll need it.Timestamps00:00 Welcome to Hello Chaos01:29 How a charcuterie reel turned into a full-blown restaurant04:06 From zero plan to signing commercial leases07:56 Ignoring advice, protecting culture, and firing fast11:31 The team shakeup that changed everything20:01 Leading with empathy (not fear)24:39 The real weight of payroll and people28:36 What’s next: expansion, events, and new concepts29:19 Surprise: Vickie’s an introvert32:17 Chaos, coping, and Tuesday escapes38:46 Her advice: Say yes, do it scared, and don’t go it alone40:35 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs42:16 Connecting with the Community🔗 Learn more about Curean and connect with Vickie with the links below:Website: https://cureangvl.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickie-zambrano/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickiezambrano_/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cureangvl/ Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to our podcast on your favorite podcast platform and share it with your network. We encourage you to join our community HERE and connect with us on social media for the latest updates and more great content.Connect With Us:LinkedIn Instagram YouTube
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What this episode covers
Vickie Zambrano didn’t plan to open a restaurant. But one charcuterie reel, a pushy friend group, and a few bold decisions later—Curean was born. What started as a quick-service concept spiraled into a full-service Mediterranean hotspot with cocktails, couches, and a whole lot of chaos. Equal parts introvert and industry badass, Vickie breaks down how she built a culture-driven team, ignored traditional leadership BS, and leaned on her community when everything felt like too much. From printer meltdowns and espresso machine regrets to staff shakeups that unlocked real growth, her story is the entrepreneurial ride no one warns you about—but every founder will recognize. Say yes first. Figure it out later. And don’t forget to double-check the damn furniture specs
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Ep. 156 Vickie Zambrano
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