Helen Zhang is the co-founder of Ziggy’s Roman Cafe, a new restaurant in Dumbo, Brooklyn designed to solve a problem many parents have.  How do you go out to eat with kids and still enjoy a great meal?

Before opening Ziggy’s, Helen spent more than 15 years in hospitality PR and brand marketing. She also worked at Tend, helping the company scale from just a few locations to dozens across the East Coast.

But after becoming a parent, Helen and her husband, co-founder of the iconic cocktail bar Employees Only, realized something was missing in the restaurant.  A restaurant that combined serious food, great drinks and a  family-friendly environment.

Ziggy’s Roman Cafe was created out of that idea.  A neighborhood restaurant serving Roman-inspired pizzas and pastas with craft cocktails, community events and even a small play space upstairs so parents can enjoy dinner while kids stay entertained.

In this episode, Helen shares the story behind launching Ziggy’s and what it’s really like opening a restaurant in New York City.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Leaving a 15-year career in PR and marketing to start a restaurant
• Building a restaurant inspired by parenthood
• Why community building was the core of Ziggy’s marketing strategy
• Hosting local events and pop-ups before the restaurant even opened
• Using storefront signage, social media and email lists to build buzz
• The unexpected challenges of opening a restaurant 
• Why starting with a simple menu helped the team operate more efficiently
• Working with your spouse as a co-founder
• Balancing entrepreneurship, family life and risk

If you’re looking to open a restaurant, especially with a concept not yet around, this episode has an honest look at what it takes.

Resources & Links

Ziggy’s Roman Cafe Website: https://www.ziggysromancafe.com/

Ziggy’s Roman Cafe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziggysromancafe/

Helen Zhang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenzhangnyc

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