In this episode of Take-Away with Sam Oches, Sam talks with John Terzian and Brian Toll, cofounders of The h.wood Group, an LA-based hospitality group that owns restaurants like Delilah and Nice Guy as well as nightclubs like Keys and Poppy. John and Brian first got into the nightclub business back in 2008 and used their extensive network of celebrities and VIPs to establish their clubs as exclusive, see-and-be-seen destinations. Eventually they expanded into restaurants and infused their concepts with the same experiential factor that helps them stand out in busy nightlife scenes like L.A., Las Vegas, Miami, and Nashville. John and Brian joined the podcast to talk about the importance of word-of-mouth marketing when getting a business off the ground, and about the details you can’t miss when designing a restaurant experience.

In this conversation, you’ll find out why:

1. You should build your network before you open your doors
2. Word of mouth buzz is stronger than any other marketing
3. The less available your business is, the more your community will crave it
4. The rise of AI will have a corresponding demand for real experiences
5. Little details make a big difference in restaurant experiences

Have feedback or ideas for Take-Away? Email Sam at sam.oches@informa.com.