<p>In this episode, Phillip Di Bella sits down with Matthew Rollo, the founder of Hashtag Burgers and Waffles, to explore his inspiring journey in the hospitality industry. Starting as a dishwasher at 14, Matthew’s career grew from washing dishes to managing his own multi-location burger business. The conversation covers the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, his strategic approach to growing the business, and his insights on leadership, work ethic, and creating a customer-driven brand.</p><p><strong><br>Key Topics and Themes:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The Long Road to Success:</strong> Matthew shares his start in hospitality, beginning with dishwashing at 14 and working through various roles before launching Hashtag Burgers and Waffles.</li><li><strong>Strategic Growth:</strong> Matthew explains the importance of learning the business inside-out before expanding, and how he carefully scaled from one store to four, with a focus on systems and technology.</li><li><strong>Resilience in the Face of Challenges:</strong> The discussion highlights the challenges of opening his first store just before the COVID-19 pandemic and how he turned this obstacle into an opportunity.</li><li><strong>Customer and Employee Engagement:</strong> Matthew talks about building a menu that sparks memories for customers and fostering a positive, involved work culture.</li><li><strong>The Power of Planning:</strong> Emphasising the importance of planning, Matthew offers advice for young entrepreneurs on the necessity of patience, strategy, and resilience in building a successful business.<p></p></li></ul><p><strong>About Our Guest:<br></strong>Matthew Rollo is the founder of Hashtag Burgers and Waffles, a Brisbane-based burger chain known for its creative menu and strong connection with customers. Starting his career as a dishwasher at 14, Matthew worked his way through the hospitality industry, gaining a wealth of experience before launching his own business. Today, Hashtag Burgers and Waffles operates four locations, with plans for further expansion through franchising.</p><p><strong>Key Takeaways:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Success is built over time:</strong> Matthew stresses that success doesn’t happen overnight. His story is a testament to patience, learning, and persistence.</li><li><strong>Focus on systems:</strong> Developing strong systems and embracing technology has been crucial to scaling his business.</li><li><strong>Embrace failure:</strong> Matthew encourages entrepreneurs to learn from their mistakes and use them to grow.</li><li><strong>Customer connection:</strong> Building a menu with nostalgic touches and actively engaging with customers can create strong emotional ties to a brand.</li><li><strong>Support and mentorship:</strong> Having the right mentors and seeking guidance can significantly aid business growth.<p></p></li></ul><p><strong>Links and Resources:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.hashtagburgers.com.au/">Hashtag Burgers and Waffles</a></li><li><a href="https://www.coffeecommune.com.au/">The Coffee Commune</a></li><li><a href="https://www.restoke.com">Restoke<br></a><br></li></ul><p><strong>Time-Stamped Key Points:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>[00:00:00]</strong> – Introduction to the episode and the new "Success Stories" series.</li><li><strong>[00:01:00]</strong> – Phillip introduces Matthew and shares t