07/25/2026
This year Eliza and I made one of the best business decisions ever. We hired Sean Finter to be our business coach.
Why?
Eliza transitioned from our dining room to being home with our two children, Roark and Vinnie. She's always been our secret weapon — she didn't just bring warmth to our guests, she loved them, and every guest felt it. It's hard for her — she still stops by Skogen for familiar faces.
It was hard for me and our team too. So hard, one customer said, "once they have children, this place is going to go downhill." I tried to brush that off, but honestly, I still haven't.
As our kids were born, the business accelerated and I wasn't keeping up. My stress rose, my confidence as a father fell — and my team, my wife, and my kids all felt it.
Then something terrifying happened — for the first time in my career, I wanted to quit.
After a month sitting with it, I told Eliza. She sat silent, teared up. Quitting had never been on the table for us. She asked, "Joseph, what will you do instead?"
I had no answer. We were successful — cash flow, team, and support were strong. But Skogen's chef was weak.
Eliza said, "I think you need a break. There's a restaurant expo in Vegas. Let's go!"
We went. Everything changed. I met Sean.
I attended his course for restaurant owners, expecting little. But this was different — a man who'd lost his health, marriage, kids, and credibility, his will to live — then found a way back. He reset his software.
This was the person I needed — not restaurant advice, but leadership advice. I wasn't interested in being successful as much as happy, a good husband, and a great father, and didn't know how to have one without the other.
I inquired about coaching. He, Eliza, and I talked it through. He said, "Joseph, I think I can help you."
Why share this? Because "burnout" is real. If you're a perfectionist like me, it's terrifying. Don't quit. Push through the pride and get help.
My desire for this career is fully back. It's Saturday, and I'm taking the night off for date night with my wife.
This is why Sean Finter is Skogen Kitchen's coach. Check out his videos on YouTube, especially his TED Talk.
Your Chef Always, Joseph
