The Hugh Groman Group provides catering and event planning services throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and is comprised of three companies: Hugh Groman Catering, Greenleaf Platters and Phil’s Sliders. Providing food and service of the highest quality, the HGG has been a Certified Green Business for 10 years now.
We interviewed Hugh Groman, founder of The Hugh Groman Group, an experienced entrepreneur and a proud member of the Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA). Read the interview below, and watch this video showcasing some of Hugh’s amazing culinary skills. If you would like to contact Hugh, visit his website here: http://thehughgromangroup.com/
Why did you decide to create your business?
I created my business because I love hospitality, food, and creativity. Having a catering and event planning business allows me the opportunity to work with wonderful people, as well as the chance to be creative on a daily basis.
Do you have any specific policies in place that benefit the LGBT Community?
We donate or provide discounted catering to a number of LGBT non-profits and organizations.
Do you have any specific policies in place regarding workplace equality?
We don’t have explicit policies, because we haven’t felt the need to have an explicit policy. We have people of all ages, races, sexualities and genders working for us.
Why did you decide to join the GGBA?
I joined the GGBA to have the opportunity to network with a new group of wonderful business people who all have something in common.
How has the GGBA helped your business so far?
On a practical level, I’ve already been referred business by members of the group. But my participation has also reinforced what I already knew, which is that building business relationships and friendships take time and effort, and are extremely rewarding and “worth it.”
What has been your biggest reward/satisfaction during your journey as an entrepreneur? And your biggest disappointment/nerve-wracking situation?
I’m grateful for my whole 20 plus year journey as an entrepreneur. I’ve had the freedom to create and recreate my job many times over. I’ve learned many huge personal and spiritual lessons along the way. I consider the whole process of owning and running a business an opportunity for personal growth. My biggest challenge has been owning and running and selling restaurants (twice!) in both Brooklyn and Berkeley. (Pro tip: don’t do it!)
What’s the most important lesson you learned being an entrepreneur?
It’s hard to choose just one lesson as being the most important. Long ago, I learned that the people in my life don’t love me because of what I can do or what I have achieved. Most recently, I learned that I can’t take responsibility, nor should I, for fixing every problem my team might bring to my attention. There have been many lessons in between.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about starting their own business?
I have lots of advice. 🙂 One lesson I took a long time to learn is that it’s OK to not be good at everything. Eventually though, you want to hire people who compliment your skill set, and work hard to empower them to bring their gifts to the table. It may feel threatening because they will see things a different way than you do.
