Check out how Ross and I got started with the company here!

I’d had the idea of hosting a video game-focused event of our own for a while, but it was only recently with the major launch of Smash Brothers Ultimate that we decided to pursue it seriously. We advertised the tournament assertively on both social media and by passing out flyers in the restaurant and in key parts of town (on campus and in game stores). We came up with event-appropriate cocktails that would be served exclusively such as the Kandied Kirby and Legend of Link. Several team members worked on ensuring we had the infrastructure and setup necessary to make the event run smoothly. Anticipating high turnout, we chose to have it as a late night event to not disturb customers during our normal business hours. It was the right call, because Soyumi was totally packed that night.

It didn’t necessarily pull in a lot of money, but engaging with the community and building publicity is really win-win and kills two birds with one stone. We’ve had several people ask when the “next event” is. There’s nothing to announce right now, but if it’s something you want let us know!

We recently served our friends at Three Tree Coffee Roasters. These are the sorts of reactions I love to see:

Check out the video below and look forward to another episode of You Got Served in the near future! Peace!

https://www.facebook.com/admtsang/videos/10106799710113281/

Aside from just being a fun thing to do, there are lots of pieces to it that work together to make it a success. It’s a great way to spread the word about Soyumi through the program itself, word of mouth and especially through social media. We can introduce sushi to some people who haven’t had it before. And there is relatively little investment on our end.

Our most viewed video currently is a You Got Served video with Anderson’s General Store that has about 200,000 views. We’re talking about four times the population of Statesboro, GA, which is really phenomenal and goes back to what I’ve mentioned before on the power of social media.

A big part of this is engaging with customers and the community. You can leave a comment on our videos, like and share the page and you have the opportunity to decide who the next business to get served will be.

I want to give a shout-out to Davis Marketing Group — Scottie Davis, who I had a chance to talk with while rehearsing for Statesboro’s Dancing with the Stars. I totally credit her for the idea to start this program. We are constantly innovating and planning community events like this, so I was absolutely on board with this concept.

Check it out!

Let me say a few quick words about Ray, the Puerto Rican barber here in Statesboro. I always like speaking to him. I’m also really busy a lot of the times, so one time I said “Ray, when’re you gonna give me a haircut? How early can you do it?” And this man literally cut my hair at like 6 in the morning. There’s no reason he had to do that. He owed me nothing. But to me, that is something so rare and valuable. When someone shows me that they grind for their values and work, I respect it a lot, and I strive to be respected for it too.

I sometimes get asked if putting in 110% all the time gets stressful or exhausting. I think perspective and state of mind is huge in preventing that. Self-confidence leads to better results which leads to more self-confidence. People talk about burnout, but I don’t believe in burnout. It’s a crazy fast-paced way to live that requires sacrifice, but so rewarding.

Back to the grind!

We were able to come up with a concept that won the whole thing! It was a great experience that showed how important self-confidence and effort is. And it had an impact. I still dance every day. It’s become a part of who I am. I talk a lot about self-expression. My staff will tell you I’m dancing all the time now, and it’s become part of how I express myself outside of music, business, food and such.

Check our our moves!

If you know me, you’ve probably heard me talk about Gary Vaynerchuk. He’s a social media expert and life coach kind of guy who, to me, shows a lot of real authenticity that I haven’t been able to find with other entrepreneurs out there. He on top of what he talks about, very knowledgeable about the things he wants to say. On top of that, he’s totally honest and will admit when he doesn’t know something. He’s able to really communicate the essence of who he is and has so much good stuff to say about how to find success in anything.

Check him out.

These are big shoes to fill. One thing that pushes me is that I don’t want to live in their shadow for the rest of my life, so part of why I work so hard is to prove to people that I had my part in the overall success of the world.

Check out my Food is Family video over on Facebook: