Join us as we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Michael Helfman, the visionary behind Mikey's, one of Malaysia's most iconic pizza brands. Discover how Michael scaled rapidly, faced challenges like cannibalization and debt, and ultimately turned chaos into a disciplined success story. Learn valuable insights on diversification, discipline, and the real math behind restaurant growth. Whether you're in the F&B industry or just love a good founder story, this episode is packed with lessons and inspiration. Don't forget to subscribe for more founder stories and insights!
0:00 Introduction - Michael Helfman, founder of Mikey's, is introduced.
00:31 Chaos to Turnaround - From initial chaos to a disciplined turnaround.
01:18 Starting the Concept - Being the first pizzeria in Malaysia.
03:39 Lightning in a Bottle - Rapid success and expansion. 06:01 Product Positioning - Challenges of positioning on the higher end.
08:14 Financial Decisions - Taking out loans for expansion. 09:10 Emotional Roller Coaster - Emotional challenges during expansion.
12:00 Strategic Plays - Diversification and stabilization strategies.
17:43 Impact of COVID-19 - Effects of COVID-19 and delivery service advantage.
22:23 Advice for Entrepreneurs - Patience and managing growth.
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