RE3EL STANCE

Integrity: “Basing one’s actions on an internally consistent framework of principles.” Maybe it’s fitting that I’m writing this post during the lunch hour. Maybe if my stomach wasn’t screaming at me so much for some yummy food, I would be thinking about other entrepreneurs that fit the bill for integrity. But, instead, I’m sitting craving some delicious grub from Rick Bayless, owner of two very successful restaurants in Chicago, cookbook author, celeb chef with his own cooking show, etc…For those of you that don’t know Rick Bayless, here are a few tidbits:

• In the late 1970’s Rick hosted a PBS show on “Cooking Mexican”
• He was so inspired by the project that he spent the next six years conducting “culinary research” in Mexico (eating until he nearly popped)
• In 1987 he opened Frontera Grill in Chicago to rave reviews and opened up Topolobampo in 1989 right next store; both restaurants continue to be nearly impossible to get into 20-years later and are as fresh, delicious and innovative as ever. And, by the way, his food is completely authentic - no tex-mex or cal-mex on the menu, but rather truly inspired cuisine from various regions of Mexico
• Rick takes his entire staff (repeat…entire staff) to Mexico once per year to make sure that his cuisine remains authentic
• Rick has published a handful of wildly successful cookbooks and has hosted a long running cooking show

He’s made a lot of money. He has earned a lot of fame as a celeb chef. He has been tempted by offers to brand products, open new restaurants, go into a whole wide range of other businesses and has been tempted by the riches that would go with selling out. But, he has stayed true to his mission, true to authentic cuisine, true to the diners at his restaurants and has done so because of his belief in integrity. In business, your reputation is all that you have and you have to protect it with every decision and action that you make. We have all seen successful entrepreneurs get too big for their britches and stop keeping their commitments, sell out for the quick buck (to only pay for it in spades later), etc…So, I won’t waste my time convincing you that integrity is important in biz. Instead, let me share why I think Rick is a shining example of using integrity in business:

• Integrity is about standing for something and never deviating from it. Rick’s restaurants are about authentic mexican food. Sure, he could have built a thousand tex-mex shops all around the country emblazoned with his name, but he instead stood for authenticity and kept true to that in his restaurant.
• Integrity is about delivering a great experience to all those you touch. You have to care for them, be honest and show them that you appreciate their business. Rick still works in his restaurants’ kitchens. He still greets people in his restaurant, hosts cooking classes and is always there to answer questions from his restaurant employees.
• Integrity is another word for passion. If you are passionate about something you tend to make the right and good decisions.
• The product of integrity is respect. People respect Rick as a person first (well before they admire him for his fame and fortune).
• Integrity is easy. Do what you say…it’s that simple. You don’t need to read endless books about it or educate yourself on integrity. You either have integrity or you don’t and it’s as simple as deciding that you want to have it.

There is so much more that could be said about it, so much more that could be discussed (yes, there are entrepreneurs that succeed financially without it, but that’s a topic for another day), etc…but I’ll leave it at that. So, if you excuse my, I have some authentic mexican food to daydream about.