Épisodes

  • Pitch The Tide: Scott Siegel – Co Founder and CEO of Curbit

    Pitch The Tide: Scott Siegel – Co Founder and CEO of Curbit
    Feb 19 2026
    In this Pitch The Tide session, Scott Siegel, co-founder and CEO of Curbit, introduces a real-time order orchestration platform built to help restaurants manage digital order flow and reduce wait times. Curbit connects to kitchen and ordering systems to monitor production, adjust promise times, and communicate accurate pickup updates to guests. Instead of relying on static estimates or turning off orders during busy periods, brands gain live visibility into kitchen capacity. The focus of the pitch is clear: improve fulfillment accuracy, reduce operational chaos, and deliver a better guest experience at scale.

    Interview Takeaways:
    • Most digital order delays are a visibility problem — Restaurants often rely on static promise times without real-time insight into kitchen capacity, leading to long waits, cold food, and operational stress.
    • Real-time order orchestration improves accuracy and efficiency — Curbit connects kitchen and ordering systems to dynamically adjust timing, manage order flow, and help guests arrive when food is ready.
    • Better timing drives better business outcomes — More accurate fulfillment leads to higher guest satisfaction, improved repeat visits, stronger ratings, and increased digital revenue.


    Episode Links:
    • Scott Siegel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-siegel-777689110/
    • Curbit Online: https://curbit.com/
    • Curbit LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/curbitcapacitymanagement/
    • Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/
    • Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/
    • Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/


    About Our Sponsors
    DAVO:

    DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

    Click here to learn more
    Marqii:

    Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

    Click here to learn more
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 6 min
  • Leadership Lessons

    Leadership Lessons
    Feb 18 2026
    Shawn Walchef shares the four leadership lessons he learned the hard way after nearly losing his restaurant and building a media company from zero revenue to millions in sales. He explains why storytelling drives vision, how calm creates speed, why curiosity matters more than skill, and why asking for help is a true leadership strength. This episode explores practical insights on building teams, making decisions, and leading with clarity, resilience, and purpose in business.

    Interview Takeaways:
    • Storytelling drives leadership — Leaders must clearly communicate vision to align teams, build trust, and inspire action across customers, employees, and partners.
    • Calm creates speed — Staying composed under pressure leads to better decisions, clearer thinking, and stronger execution in fast-moving environments.
    • Curiosity and collaboration fuel growth — Hiring curious people and asking for help accelerates learning, strengthens teams, and unlocks new opportunities.


    Episode Links:
    • Shawn Walchef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/
    • Shawn Walchef Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnpwalchef/?hl=en
    • Cali BBQ: https://calibbq.media/


    About Our Sponsors
    DAVO:

    DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

    Click here to learn more
    Marqii:

    Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

    Click here to learn more
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    6 min
  • Rising Tides Live: AI Writing (No More Slop)

    Rising Tides Live: AI Writing (No More Slop)
    Feb 17 2026
    AI writing took center stage on Rising Tides Live as Eric Farrell filled in for Shawn Walchef and led a candid conversation on how to use AI without losing your humanity. Restaurant operators, creators, and business leaders shared how they leverage tools like ChatGPT to draft content, analyze contracts, develop recipes, and clarify ideas, while warning against the growing wave of robotic “AI slop.” A clear theme emerged: AI is a powerful assistant, not a replacement. The operators who win will be the ones who bring context, personality, and real-world experience to every prompt.

    Interview Takeaways:
    • AI Is a Tool, Not a Shortcut – The strongest voices in the room agreed: AI should enhance your thinking, not replace it. The first draft is never the final draft. Context, editing, and human judgment are what separate meaningful content from automated noise.
    • Context Creates Quality – The more information you feed AI, the better the output. Transcripts, brand voice, real experiences, and specific instructions transform generic responses into usable material. Garbage in, garbage out still applies.
    • Humanity Wins the Algorithm – With AI-generated content flooding every platform, authenticity becomes the differentiator. Operators who bring personality, perspective, and lived experience to their prompts will stand out while low-effort “AI slop” gets ignored.


    Episode Links:
    • Eric Farrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-twk/
    • Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/
    • Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/
    • Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/


    About Our Sponsors
    DAVO:

    DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

    Click here to learn more
    Marqii:

    Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

    Click here to learn more
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 4 min
  • One Pound of Mozzarella, Hundreds of Orders, and the Power of the Internet

    One Pound of Mozzarella, Hundreds of Orders, and the Power of the Internet
    Feb 16 2026
    Julia Tinajero, co-owner of Basilico Italiano in Concord, North Carolina, joins Digital Hospitality to share how a one-pound mozzarella stick and a chicken Caesar wrap went viral and transformed her 85-seat restaurant. She explains how building menu items in public, embracing transparency, and responding to critics fueled real growth. This episode explores the power of short-form video, the realities of sudden demand, and why pressing record can change a restaurant’s trajectory.

    Interview Takeaways:
    • Build in Public Creates Momentum – Julia didn’t wait for the perfect menu launch. She tested, tweaked, and shared the chicken Caesar wrap and mega mozzarella in real time. Inviting the internet into the process turned customers into collaborators and momentum into measurable sales.
    • Viral Only Works If Operations Hold – A one-pound mozzarella can drive 300 orders, but only if the team can execute. Turning off online ordering, prioritizing the dining room, and communicating clearly protected the guest experience.
    • Transparency Builds Trust – Posting one-star reviews, explaining tough decisions, and sharing hard days strengthened community loyalty. Honesty travels further than perfection, and authenticity converts attention into long-term growth.


    Episode Links:
    • Julia Tinajero LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-tinajero-2b37b8393/
    • Basilico Italiano: https://basilicoitaliano.com/
    • Basilico Italiano Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/basilicoitaliano/?hl=en
    • Basilico Italiano Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@basilicoconcordnc
    • Basilico Italiano Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/basilicoitaliano.concord/


    About Our Sponsors
    DAVO:

    DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

    Click here to learn more
    Marqii:

    Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

    Click here to learn more
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    37 min
  • The Decisions Leaders Delay That Cost The Most

    The Decisions Leaders Delay That Cost The Most
    Feb 13 2026
    Pricing took center stage on Rising Tides Live as Christian Fischer filled in for Shawn Walchef, guiding the community through one of the toughest questions in business: how much to charge and what customers truly value. Restaurateurs, creators, and operators shared candid stories about confidence, value, and fear. A clear theme emerged: pricing is emotional, but better decisions come from listening, data, and strong relationships. When leaders test boldly and communicate value clearly, pricing becomes a tool for trust and growth.

    Interview Takeaways:
    • Pricing Reflects Value — Pricing decisions are emotional, but the strongest strategies come from understanding what customers truly value. Listening, data, and feedback help operators charge with confidence.
    • Test, Don’t Guess — Leaders who experiment with pricing, promotions, and offers gain clearer insights than those who rely on assumptions. Small tests lead to smarter decisions.
    • Clarity Builds Trust — When businesses communicate value clearly and price with intention, customers respond with loyalty, trust, and long-term growth.


    Episode Links:
    • Christian Fischer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianjfischer/
    • Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/
    • Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/
    • Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/


    About Our Sponsors
    DAVO:

    DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

    Click here to learn more
    Marqii:

    Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

    Click here to learn more
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 3 min
  • Pitch The Tide – Michael Diego: Founder of Relsih

    Pitch The Tide – Michael Diego: Founder of Relsih
    Feb 12 2026
    In this Pitch The Tide session, Michael Diego, president and CEO of relish, introduces a fully managed creator marketing platform built to help multi-location brands turn local voices into measurable growth. Relish connects restaurants and retailers with verified local creators who visit stores, document their experience, and share authentic content with their communities. Instead of chasing one expensive influencer or juggling spreadsheets, brands deploy dozens of hyperlocal storytellers at once. The focus of the pitch is clear: make your brand the talk of the town, drive real foot traffic, and power creator-led commerce at scale.

    Interview Takeaways:
    • Creators Drive Real Discovery – Relish activates verified local creators who live near each store, turning authentic neighborhood voices into powerful drivers of foot traffic.
    • Hyperlocal Campaigns, Managed End to End – From sourcing and approvals to scheduling and reporting, relish handles the operational lift so brands can scale creator marketing without spreadsheets or guesswork.
    • Engineered Word of Mouth – Instead of relying on one big influencer, relish deploys groups of creators at once, generating concentrated buzz that helps brands become the talk of the town.


    Episode Links:
    • Michael Diego LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeladiego/
    • Relish Online: https://tryrelish.com/
    • Relish LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tryrelish/
    • Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/
    • Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/
    • Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/


    About Our Sponsors
    DAVO:

    DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

    Click here to learn more
    Marqii:

    Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

    Click here to learn more
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    47 min
  • How Big Brands Should Work With B2B Creators

    How Big Brands Should Work With B2B Creators
    Feb 11 2026
    Shawn Walchef breaks down how brands should approach partnerships with business creators in the B2B economy. He explains why working directly with operators beats agency-managed scripts, why follower count matters less than decision-maker density, and why measuring likes misses the real impact. The conversation reframes influencer marketing for serious brands, showing how long-term relationships, consistent storytelling, and trust inside the right rooms drive meaningful business results.

    Interview Takeaways:
    • Direct Beats Delegated – The strongest brand partnerships happen when companies work directly with business creators, not through restrictive agency scripts. Trusting operators to tell their own stories creates depth, authenticity, and long-term impact that controlled campaigns rarely achieve.
    • Influence Is About Density, Not Size – In B2B, follower count matters less than who is listening. Small but concentrated audiences of decision-makers can move budgets, partnerships, and strategy faster than large passive followings ever could.
    • Measure Relationships, Not Likes – Vanity metrics miss the real return. Consistent storytelling across platforms builds familiarity, credibility, and trust. In B2B, one meaningful connection can outweigh thousands of impressions.


    Episode Links:
    • Shawn Walchef LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/
    • Shawn Walchef Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnpwalchef/?hl=en
    • Cali BBQ: https://calibbq.media/


    About Our Sponsors
    DAVO:

    DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

    Click here to learn more
    Marqii:

    Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

    Click here to learn more
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    6 min
  • Rising Tides Live: Pricing! What To Charge? When To Charge?

    Rising Tides Live: Pricing! What To Charge? When To Charge?
    Feb 11 2026
    Pricing took center stage on Rising Tides Live as Shawn Walchef and the community wrestled with one of the hardest questions in business: how much to charge, when to change it, and what customers are actually responding to. From secret-menu mozzarella sticks and buffet coupons to 20/20 value promotions and paid discovery calls, restaurateurs, creators, operators, and service providers traded candid stories about confidence, value, and fear. A clear theme emerged: price is emotional, but decisions should be informed by listening, data, and relationships. When leaders ask better questions, test boldly, and communicate value clearly, pricing stops feeling reactive and starts becoming a strategic tool for trust, loyalty, and growth.

    Interview Takeaways:
    • Confidence matters more than discounting.
      When leaders are truly confident in their product and their offer, pricing conversations shift from fear to value. That confidence shows up in how you talk about your work, how you serve customers, and how you stand behind your price.
    • Better decisions start with real customer feedback.
      Guessing about pricing is risky. Asking customers directly, studying their behavior, and listening carefully gives you clearer insight into what they actually care about and how they experience value.
    • Value has to be clearly communicated.
      Great products can still be misunderstood. Sometimes the best move is not changing your price, but telling your story better so customers fully understand what they are paying for and why it is worth it.


    Episode Links:
    • Cali BBQ Media: https://content.calibbq.media/
    • Join Our Next Show: https://betheshow.media/rising-tides/
    • Shawn Walchef on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnpwalchef/


    About Our Sponsors
    DAVO:

    DAVO automates every step of the sales tax process — from collecting to filing to paying...

    Click here to learn more
    Marqii:

    Marqii is designed to create unforgettable customer experiences...

    Click here to learn more
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    1 h et 11 min