4 minute read
SAYING IT HOW IT IS Matt Reis
MATT REIS
Thank you Matt Reis, owner of Bathtub Billy’s Wood Fired Pizza and Bar for taking the time to tak with Rochester Woman Online about who he is, what it is like owning a restaurant during these unprecidented times, and what he is doing to survive.
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Tell us a little about who you are, where you grew up and your family...
I gre w up in Hamlin, NY, I now live in Greece. I have 2 sons Matthew, 21, Joshua, 16 and a daughter Jocelyn, 1 0 . I h a v e a girlfriend, Natalie.
Who was the one person you have met that has made the biggest impact on your life?
My father, no question about it.
What made you decide to own a restaurant?
My best friend Mark played volleyball at the Tub since it opened, the previous owner had killed the business and was going to close the doors for good, mark could not let that happen.
How has Covid-19 affect your business?
Dine in business has been slow to recover, our take out business has been amazing since we were forced to close down because we have amazing customers and friends.
What is the one thing about Matt Reis that people may not know?
I am very open book, there is not
much people don’t know but I guess if there is one thing that I didn’t know was I live for today, not tomorrow, my wife passed away at 27 years old and I learned you cannot guarantee tomorrow will come, so do what you want now and do not sweat the litttle things in life.
Who is your favorite food?
Probably Pizza or Chicken Parmesan.
What are your plans for Bathtub Billys in the near future?
I would like to franchise to get more locations.
Who has been your biggest business influence?
Michael Perri from Perri’s pizza and my girlfriend Natalie. Mike has been a business guy since I have known him, he has built a pizza franchise from the ground up and always is doing something to help the community. Natalie works so hard with her job at Wegmans and she handles a lot for Next Door bar & Grill, so if I have any question I go to her and she always has the answers.
Name one thing that you love about owning your own business...
While it can be stressful at times, my favorite part is knowing that I am helping 28 families pay their bills, be able to do things with their kids,
etc. It is rewarding to see all of this and know you play a large role in it.
What piece of advice would you give to someone wanting to open their own restaurant business?
If you think you are going to get rich, think again. 6 Years I have been doing this, now just starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel, it is a long tunnel and there can be some very tough times, times where you cannot even cash the small paycheck you write yourself, know that the hours are going to be 70- 90 hours per week until you are able to have someone that can help you run the place that you can trust.
What makes you who you are?
A stong influence from my father.
What is a saying/ quote you have always lived by and why?
“Some people succeed because they are destined to, but most people succeed because they are determined to.”
I started off with about $1000 for my first business, I worked endless amount of time building it, nobody gave me
anything, I did not have a financial backer or family member to help me or bail me out, I was determined to make it work, I was very successful in doing so while working a 50 hour a week job, that business sold and I started a landscape business the same way, from the ground up, sold it years later, nothing was ever given to me, not one penny, I am proud of that.
If you could do one thing over in business what would it be and why?
I would have found someone to help me run the restaurant sooner, I was doing the work of 3 people and because of that I made some mistakes that could have been avoided.
Who is the one person in your life that has had the biggest impact on you and why?
My father, he built a work ethic in me like no other, he taught me the right way of doing things, the way to help families who needed it without expecting anything in return, even a thank you.
