🎙️ From 15-Year-Old Pearl of the Orient Server to Worker-Owned Co-Op Leader: Grace Corbin's Journey at 40-Year-Old Casa Nueva
In this inspiring episode, Grace Corbin, co-owner and vice president of the board of directors at Casa Nueva in Athens, Ohio, shares her remarkable journey from getting hired at age 15 when restaurant owner responded "when can you start?" to managing Bagel Street Deli's legendary Picklefest (13 pickles in 10 minutes record), then joining Athens' worker-owned cooperative Mexican restaurant in 2009 after friend said "apply at Casa right away" while helping unpack U-Haul across street.
✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:
First restaurant job at 15: "when can you start?" response from Pearl of the Orient owner
Bagel Street Deli Picklefest: 13 pickles in 10 minutes record, legendary Halloween parties
1985 Casa Nueva birth: owner fled overnight, eight employees with 100+ years experience took over
"Meetings to have meetings" culture: every Tuesday closed for democratic decision-making
Membership journey: $1,800 buy-in over two years, consensus-based voting, board interview double-process
Handcrafted scratch cooking: in-house flour tortillas, hand-chopped vegetables, chunky queso not white liquid
Rotating local vegetables: kohlrabi, butternut squash, "cabbage and mushrooms again" regular joke
COVID emergency meeting: crying through two hours, pivoting to curbside carryout only
To-go margaritas salvation: reusable glass jars with ice-at-home instructions literally saved business
2012 FLSA investigation: tip pool violated law, raised menu prices 16-20%, created revenue-share wage
Customer "punishment" mindset: guy's question validated why tipping culture fundamentally broken
Environmental commitment: zero styrofoam, everything composted including napkins, Ben collects weekly
Locally sourced 30 miles away: fresh harvested, hand-delivered, direct check payment to farmers
Profit distribution: 60% to owners split into 20% next October, 80% four years later May
🌟 Grace's Key Mentors & Influences:
Pearl of the Orient Owner (Long)
Bagel Street Deli Team
Joss Brown (Casa Nueva President, Close Friend)
Eight Original 1985 Co-Founders
Casa Nueva Member-Owners
Fair Labor Standards Act Investigation
Wally the Dog (7-year-old Pog Terrier mix)
Sister Alexandria
👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about democratic decision-making requiring patience and trust, how eight employees said "we can do this ourselves" and created 40-year institution, why Fair Labor Standards Act investigation led to innovative no-tipping model, and how to-go margaritas in reusable glass jars literally saved restaurant during COVID shutdown.
🔗 Connect with Grace Corbin:
Casa Nueva Restaurant
📄 Transcript Available: Grace Corbin on Leading Casa Nueva's Worker-Owned Cooperative Restaurant in Athens, Ohio
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📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com