Phoenix-area business owners, from entrepreneurs opening a flagship location to franchisees helping national brands grow, came together to connect with one another and share progress about their plans.
The latest installment of What Now Media Group’s Phoenix Accelerate event took place at Quartz on Aug. 27, 2024.
Quartz opened in 2023 and has hit the ground running ever since. The brand hosts “an immersive cocktail experience that will quench the thirst of us desert dwellers, and is something that Max Berlin and [Paul had worked on for a while].”
According to their website, “Paul is no stranger to the F&B space in the Valley from Belly Kitchen & Bar, Sin Muerte to Cobra Arcade Bar, and is now also heading up the beverage program at Quartz. Alongside Maxwell, the two conceptualized and brought their vision of cocktails to life.”
Throughout a presentation led by What Now Media Group Founder and CEO Caleb Spivak, entrepreneurs took turns sharing their stories, giving updates on their progress, and reflecting on what their business means to them. Some key takeaways: You’ll get nowhere without passion, it’s crucial to know how to pivot effectively, and connecting with others in the community can be a gamechanger.
Cheryl Standage, the owner and operator of Piefection, shared that the establishment boasts a menu with the highest-quality pies, even going so far as to source its chocolate from Belgium, as well as peaches from Georgia, blueberries from Maine, oranges from Mesa, and more.
Sam Szeto, who is bringing back Dragon Wok, discussed an unimaginable tragedy that occurred in May when a car suddenly crashed into his restaurant. With heartfelt optimism, he spoke of the challenges and achievements since, even starting a GoFundMe to make his dream a reality again.
Jake Ireland and Ryan Dobson, who are franchise operators of Pepper Lunch, spoke about their opportunity to be some of the very first people to open a Pepper Lunch location within the United States and the first-ever within Phoenix. Ireland told What Now Phoenix that he plans “to bring the Pepper Lunch experience to all corners [of Phoenix] over the next 5 years… targeting August-September 2024 to start serving.”
Preferred Partners in attendance included Cox Business, Heartland, Our Town America, PREP Shared Kitchen, SpotOn, Easy Ice, and Prudential Overall Supply. These industry experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners help new businesses open and existing businesses grow.
Throughout the event, attendees sipped on delish craft cocktails curated by award-winning mixologist Maxwell Berlin. The menu includes handmade cocktails, beer and wine selections, non-alcoholic beverages, and more.
Quartz is open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. On Friday and Saturday nights, they are open until 1 a.m.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 31 cities across the U.S., breaking news and providing timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2024. See the Accelerate page here for more details.
