Each night was like reading a new chapter in a book, and we learned about the challenges and successes that they experienced.  It was nice too that they allowed us to ask questions if we were curious, and they were happy to explain things to us in a way that we would understand.

I was really amazed at how many people they touched through their businesses and how they looked at their roles in society to help provide people with a living through their businesses.  We learned how important it was to give to others and how hoarding money was not the road to success and happiness.

I particularly loved the story they told one night how they had helped many of the cooking schools in culinary arts in the area to grow by providing them a larger building for their students at a discounted rate.  Sure, they were in it for a profit, but they also saw the bigger picture: the students that attended these culinary arts institutes were potential future employees of the restaurants that they owned, and by helping them out, they were making sure that there would be a large number of qualified chefs in the area for them to choose from.

Even though I am grown up now, I still think that those discussions about business that we had around the supper table helped to shape me into the successful entrepreneur that I am today.

Technorati Tags: cooking schools in culinary arts, culinary arts institutes