How Steve Dickler Built & Sold a $100M Business (Chef's Toys)

What does it take to turn a simple passion into a multimillion-dollar business? Steve Dickler, founder of Chef’s Toys, shares his incredible journey from sharpening knives for chefs to building a $100M restaurant supply empire. In this episode of Tidemark Talks, Steve reveals the challenges of scaling a business, how he navigated a complex sale, and why hospitality and customer service remain key to success.[00:49] From Humble Beginnings to a $100M Business – How Chef’s Toys grew to seven locations with 200+ employees.[03:27] The Decision to Sell – Why Steve chose to exit, frustrations with regulations, and how he found the perfect buyer.[05:43] The Art of the Deal – Navigating negotiations, industry connections, and maximizing business valuation.[11:34] From Sandwich Maker to Chef – Steve’s early experiences in food service and how they shaped his future.[32:00] The Knife Sharpening Hustle – How a side gig turned into a thriving business serving top-tier clients.[40:23] Retail Expansion & Game-Changing Strategy – How Steve built stores that outperformed competitors.[47:22] Smart Real Estate Moves – Strategic investments that fueled growth beyond the core business.[57:59] Beating Amazon & AI – How Steve future-proofed Chef’s Toys before selling.[1:08:12] Lessons in Entrepreneurship – The mindset, work ethic, and strategies that led to success.This episode is a must-watch for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone looking to scale a business from the ground up. Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/