Shawn Walchef knows digital storytelling is the future. At the Google Restaurant Industry Influencers Summit, the Cali BBQ owner shared why every business must take YouTube seriously. For years, YouTube was just a content archive for Cali BBQ—until Shawn saw top creators prioritizing it. Now, short-form videos, long-form storytelling, and live content are driving real results. His philosophy? Be the show, not the commercial. YouTube offers longevity, discovery, and brand growth. As Shawn says, the best time to start was yesterday. The next best time? Now.
Interview Takeaways:
- Be The Show, Not The Commercial – We love stories, we love to be educated, and the power of video is now providing that for us instantly with YouTube. It’s why it’s so critically important to provide information and entertainment for people. Even at an early age, kids understand when they are being sold something and not entertained.
- Don’t Be Scared To Tell Your Story – In 2025, telling your story is more important than ever—it’s what connects people, businesses, and relationships. YouTube and video are essential tools for storytelling, and business owners, especially those in the restaurant industry, can’t afford to ignore them.
- YouTube Is The Biggest TV Channel In The World – Don’t be scared to take the leap onto YouTube, As Shawn Walchef ends his speech at Google he reminds the group how important it is, as YouTube is now the biggest channel.
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