Les and Diane Corieri
Best advice you’ve ever been given (Both): Love what you do and do what you love. Most challenging aspect of your job (Diane): As we expand, the biggest challenge is putting systems in place to maintain our high standards. But delegating and trusting others to do what we used to do ourselves is probably the hardest. That and being patient. New initiatives you’ve implemented or plan to implement (Les): In this business you can never rest on your laurels, so aside from continuing to expand with new locations and innovative concepts, we have to make sure we are giving attention to our existing locations. For example, even though it opened in 2013, last summer we did a complete renovation of Hi Fi Kitchen & Cocktails to amp up the already impressive lighting and video system. What you would say to someone just starting out in their career? (Diane): Don’t worry about failing; it shows you what you are made of. I can guarantee anyone who is successful has failed at least once or twice. What’s the hardest decision you’ve made so far? (Les): It’s never fun to have to fire someone, whether it’s an individual or when it’s time to close an entire business and start over. Either way, it has an impact on other people’s livelihoods and we don’t take our future or our employees’ futures for granted. What makes your company unique? (Diane): I think the fact that we are so active in the day-to-day operations. Experience is huge. We have seen it all, and yet I’m still surprised. Biggest business risk you’ve taken (Les): I would have to say buying the property that Bottled Blonde and Livewire sit on back in 1996 when there were no bars or restaurants around us and several of the nearby properties were declared slum properties by the city.
SO SCOTTSDALE! |
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PHOTO BY CARL SCHULTZ
EVENING ENTERTAINMENT GROUP Titles: Co-owners Years with the company: 30
| FEBRUARY 2016
1/25/16 12:13 PM