The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap: Move from Ordinary to Extraordinary

In "The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap," Christin Marvin, a seasoned hospitality professional, shares her inspiring journey from a line cook at 15 to managing partner by 30. With over twenty years of industry experience, Christin provides a candid and insightful memoir filled with leadership lessons and personal growth stories.

In this book, you will:
Discover the characteristics of a great leader.
Learn the importance of hiring people smarter than you.
Understand how to create systems for success.
Explore effective methods for developing managers.
Gain insights into achieving mental fitness.

"The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap" offers an inside look into the highs and lows of the restaurant industry, providing practical wisdom for aspiring and seasoned professionals
This book serves as a beacon of hope and a guide for navigating the demanding yet rewarding path of the hospitality world, addressing the critical issues of burnout and the unhealthy influences of alcohol. Embark on a transformative journey to becoming an extraordinary hospitality leader. 

Grab your copy now at christinmarvin.com/book

Author

Restaurant Leadership Podcast

The Restaurant Leadership Podcast : The show that teaches restaurant owners and operators how to be world-class leaders without wasting time and energy.

Podcast Host

CHOW - Culinary Hospitality Outreach & Wellness

CHOW’s mission is to support wellness within the hospitality industry and to improve the lives of our community through shared stories, skills, and resources.

Board Member

Solutions by Christin

My company, Solutions by Christin offers one on one coaching, group coaching, leadership workshops and consulting for local restaurant leaders who are looking to be in the top 1% of the industry.

Hospitality Catalyst

Denver, Colorado

Area Manager

I had the pleasure of developing leaders, opening new locations, connecting with the community and making our restaurants more sustainable in the Colorado market. My passion lies with developing people, building culture and operations excellence.

Regional Manager

I had an active role in helping the company expand from 2-7 locations that spanned a variety of concepts. I also implemented a wellness program, hired and developed leaders and implemented systems to drive sales.

Managing Partner

Christin Marvin is a distinguished restaurant coach, author, speaker and host of the restaurant leadership podcast, No Hesitations. With over twenty years of experience, Christin has established herself as a preeminent authority in the field, having spent time in both fine dining and high-volume growth concepts. 

As the founder of Solutions by Christin, she partners with independent restaurant owners to address their most pressing leadership and business challenges, enabling them to focus their time and energy where it matters most. Christin excels in personalized one-on-one coaching and facilitating impactful leadership workshops. 

When you embark on a coaching journey with Christin, it's not merely about coaching; it becomes a transformative adventure, breaking down barriers and propelling you to levels of success you may have never imagined possible.

Christin Marvin

The restaurants that survive the next 5 years won't be the ones with the best food.


They'll be the ones with the best systems.

Great food keeps people coming back.

But systems are what keep your doors open.

Systems for:
✅ Hiring and training people who don't need you to babysit them
✅ Managing food costs without sacrificing quality
✅ Creating consistent guest experiences across every shift
✅ Building leaders who can run the business without you

Good food gets you noticed.

Strong systems keep you profitable.

#RestaurantBusiness #RestaurantSystems #HospitalityLeadership

We coach multi-unit restaurant operators to build systems that drive profitability and reclaim time—so they can scale with confidence and spend their time and energy where they want to, not where they have to.

If your managers are working 70-hour weeks during the holidays, you have a systems problem.


Not a dedication problem.

I get it (December is insane in restaurants).

But if your leadership team is burning out just to keep things running, something's broken.

The Process pillar in the IRF is designed to prevent this.

When you have strong processes:
✓ Your managers aren't the only ones who know how to solve problems
✓ Your team can execute without constant supervision
✓ Systems reduce the chaos instead of adding to it

Your managers should be leading, not just surviving.

And if they're barely hanging on, it's time to build better systems.

Watching your managers burn out trying to hold everything together? Comment "SYSTEMS" and I'll show you which processes are breaking them.

#ProcessPillar #ManagerBurnout #RestaurantSystems

Curious about how restaurants can effectively implement NA beverage programs?                         

Join us for a transformative conversation as Dana Bonelli , a veteran in the wine and spirits industry, unveils the evolution of inclusivity in the non-alcoholic (NA) beverage space. Discover how the hospitality sector has shifted from exclusive, patriarchal beginnings to a more welcoming and inclusive environment. Dana reflects on her journey starting in the mid-90s and provides a comprehensive look at the industry's progress in response to technological advancements, cultural changes, and increasing consumer demand for wellness-oriented options. 

#nonalcholicdrinks #hospitality #leadershippodcast

Know a restaurant leader who's burned out, questioning their path, or ready for a transformation?


Give them The Hospitality Leader's Roadmap.

This isn't a tactics book.

It's my story of going from line cook at 15 to managing partner by 30, navigating burnout, struggling with alcohol, and finding a better way to lead.

Inside, you'll find:
✓ Raw, honest stories about the reality of restaurant life
✓ Lessons on resilience, mental fitness, and sustainable leadership
✓ Practical wisdom for leaders who want to thrive, not just survive

This book is for anyone in hospitality who's ever felt like they're giving everything and getting nothing back.

It's a reminder that you're not alone, that burnout isn't a badge of honor, and that there's a better way forward.

If you know someone who needs this message, this is the gift that could change their life.

Grab your copy at the link in the comments. Sometimes the best gift is knowing someone else gets it.

#HospitalityLeadership #BurnoutRecovery #RestaurantLife

Things I know at 44 I wish I knew at 30:


Burnout isn't a badge of honor (it's a warning sign).

You can't lead effectively when you're exhausted.

Your team will rise to the expectations you set (if you actually set them).

Saying no is a superpower.

The best leaders aren't the ones who do everything (they're the ones who build people who can).

If I could go back and tell my younger self anything, it would be this:
Working harder isn't the answer.

Leading better is.

What's one lesson you wish you'd learned earlier in your career?

#LeadershipLessons #RestaurantOwner #CareerWisdom

Short and sweet today because it's the weekend before Thanksgiving:


Take 10 minutes today to thank your team.

Not a generic "good job."

A specific "I see what you do and it matters."

Name the thing they did well.

Tell them why it made a difference.

Mean it.

Your team is about to bust their asses this week.

Let them know you see them.

#RestaurantLeadership #TeamAppreciation #Thanksgiving

Most restaurant owners confuse being busy with being productive.


They're not the same thing.

Busy is working 70-hour weeks putting out fires.

Productive is building systems so fires don't start in the first place.

Busy is doing everything yourself because "it's faster."

Productive is training someone else so you don't have to do it anymore.

Busy is reacting to whatever crisis pops up.

Productive is planning so crises become rare.

You didn't open a restaurant to be busy forever.

You opened it to build something sustainable.

What's one thing you're doing this week that's busy work vs. productive work?

 #RestaurantLeadership #ProductivityTips #WorkSmarter

How to lead your restaurant through market saturation without burning out.                          

Kevin Morrison explains how knowing your numbers and leading with clarity helps your brand stand out, even in crowded cities like Denver.

Learn more on The Restaurant Leadership Podcast.

#restaurant #leadership #innovation

Your team doesn't need more training.


They need better systems.

Training without systems is just setting people up to fail.

You can train someone on your service standards all day long, but if:
⁉️ You don't have a clear onboarding process
⁉️ Your managers aren't reinforcing those standards
⁉️ There's no accountability when standards slip
...that training doesn't matter.

Systems create consistency.

Training teaches people how to work within those systems.

You need both.

But systems come first.

What system is missing in your restaurant right now?

#RestaurantSystems #RestaurantTraining #OperationalExcellence

B2Btail 

Helping B2B Manufacturers Attract Their Ideal Customers Online

Most B2B companies are great at what they do but struggle to be found online by the customers they’re best equipped to help.

At B2Btail, we help manufacturers and B2B companies stop being the best kept secret by building strong digital foundations and using educational marketing to attract high-value customers.

Our work combines search engine optimization (SEO), content strategy, LinkedIn marketing, and foundational website enhancements to improve visibility and generate more qualified leads.

What we do:

Build and execute SEO strategies that help manufacturers rank for buyer-intent keyword phrases

Create and repurpose educational content that speaks directly to soulmate customers

Implement LinkedIn lead generation systems using live video, original content, and smart outreach

Guide companies through our Digital Game Plan to uncover growth opportunities, ideal markets, and the buyer’s journey

Develop marketing strategies that support long-term inbound lead generation and customer engagement

Who we help:

Manufacturers who are tired of being invisible online

B2B companies that want to attract better-fit customers but don’t have a marketing team

Business owners looking for a clear marketing roadmap they can execute over time

If you’re trying to grow but feel stuck with inconsistent leads, confusing messaging, or outdated digital presence, we can help you change that.

Let’s talk about building your Digital Game Plan or launching a lead-generating content strategy that finally gets you found.

Relentless Business Growth Advocate

Exit Your Way®

With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing, eCommerce, and healthcare, I bring a hands-on approach to transforming businesses so owners can sell their businesses and generate the wealth the desire.

Challenges we help you solve:

Developing and executing initiatives to significantly increase business value.

Enhancing leaders' abilities to inspire teams and drive continuous improvement.

Streamlining operations to reduce costs and boost profitability.

Providing resources to prepare businesses for sale.


Results from our work with clients:

95%+ business sale success rate, often selling businesses for up to 20% over market value.

A business you love to own but you can sell when you want to the best buyers.

 Fractional Chief Exit Officer

Navigating the challenges of scaling, preparing for a business exit, or selling a business? Feel like you're not tapping into your business's full potential?   - You're not alone. 

Many business owners grapple with realizing the true value of their business in a market that often seems stacked against them. 

I'm Damon Pistulka, and at Exit Your Way®, we're not just about transactions; we're about transforming businesses one at a time.

Imagine a scenario where your business doesn't just meet your expectations but exceeds them to increase your value 2x+ its current market value. 

Picture a business sale / business exit success rate that's not the average 25% but is 90%+. 

That's the Exit Your Way® difference.

With decades of hands-on experience across diverse sectors, we've honed a unique approach that focuses on YOU:

Unlock Potential: We delve deep, identifying hidden strengths and opportunities, ensuring your business is operating efficiently and effectively.

Strategic Growth: Our tailored services propel your business forward, amplifying its value and appeal.

Achieve Your Vision: Whether you're aiming to double revenue, quadruple business value, or exit the market with unparalleled returns, we're your partners in realizing that dream.

Our manufacturing, ecommerce, construction, and occupational rehabilitation clients don't just achieve their goals; they surpass them. They experience transformative growth, often selling above market prices. 

We give owners peace of mind, confidence, and the freedom to envision a brighter, more prosperous future.

If you're a forward-thinking business owner, eager to elevate your venture and see tangible, lasting results, let's connect. 

Experience the transformative power of Exit Your Way® and envision a future where your business doesn't just succeed; it thrives. 

Let's redefine success, together.

If you want to learn more, contact us:

info@exityourway.com
833-BIZ-EXIT (249-3948)
www.ExitYourWay.com

Co-Founder | Managing Director | CMSH

Navigating the complexities of selling a business can be daunting. 

With a mere 25% success rate in the traditional market, many business owners feel trapped, undervalued, and overwhelmed. 

At Exit Your Way®, we've flipped the script. 
Leveraging 20+ years of hands-on experience in manufacturing, eCommerce, and healthcare, we guide businesses to achieve 2x+ their current market value with a 90%+ business sale success rate. 

Our integrated approach ensures you're not just selling a business but realizing its true potential. Let's transform your hard work into tangible wealth. Connect with me to discover how.

If you want to learn more about how Exit Your Way® might help you preparing and selling a business, contact me at info@exityourway.us

Business Broker

As part of the overall Exit Your Way® efforts helping clients build and sell valuable businesses we help clients identify, review, and acquire businesses.  We walk clients through a proven process to evaluate businesses appropriately in stages to ensure they are making informed decisions efficiently to ge the right deals done.

Business Acquisition Advisor

Helping business owners solve strategic and operational issues with fractional CEO & COO services.  Fractional CEO & COO resource to solve business challenges hampering growth or owner freedom.  Fractional CEO & COO resource to solve strategic sales challenges allowing owners to achieve their short and long term goals.  Fractional CEO & COO resource to onboarding new executives so they are more effective and are more productive, faster.

Fractional CEO, COO

Increasing sales & business value.  Sales consulting to help owners create sales momentum, increasing sales and business value.  Sales consulting to ensure businesses are creating the profits today and providing the long term business value the owners need to fuel their life after the business.  Sales consulting to help business owners achieve their goals

Sales Consulting

Our Team has over 40 years experience in providing certified business valuations, fairness opinions and pricing services of debt and equity securities in connection with transactions, stock ownership plans, and disputes.  Our process returns your certified business valuation in days not weeks with more calculation methods and risk assessments to ensure accurate and fair certified business valuations.  We have the certifications needed to back up all certified business valuations including certified business valuations used for legal and IRS matters.

Business Valuations

Management Consulting to help owners solve problems hampering business growth. Helping owners restart growth in plateaued businesses.   Helping business owners break through performance challenges by solving operational and executional challenges.  Management Consulting with the knowledge, tactical skills to help your company increase business value 25%, 50% or more.

Management Consulting

The Faces of Business - Business professionals sharing life and business experiences to entertain, engage, build community, & help others succeed.  Our guests share stories and information to inspire and educate.  

There are incredible people all around us.  We share their stories and knowledge.

Live Tuesday & Thursday at 3:05 pm PT. on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

All episodes are released on popular podcast channels.

All past episodes:  https://exityourway.us/the-faces-of-business/

The Faces of Business | Livestream / Podcast Host & Producer

The Manufacturing eCommerce Success Series – Hosting guests helping manufacturers connect with great people and resources helping manufacturers improve and grow their businesses. 

Co-host weekly event with Curt Anderson from www.B2BTail.com. 

Every Monday & Friday at 10:32 am PT speakers share real world information about key aspects of ecommerce/digital sales/sales growth/leadership. 

Shows broadcast live on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Manufacturing Ecommerce Success Series | Livestream Co Host & Producer

Cross NW - Business Advisors

Cross NW - Cross Northwest, Inc. is a boutique Business Advisory / Investment Banking firm that helps business owners build dominating businesses and sell a business for more money.  Cross NW does this by providing Sales Acceleration, Results Management and Merger & Acquisition Advisory/ Business Brokerage services for business owners of privately held companies.  Our hands-on resources and value improvement expertise allows us to increase business values, make companies run better and guide companies through the process to successfully sell a business transitions.  NO B.S.  JUST RESULTS

★Sales acceleration services to drive top line revenues and profits
★Results management to focus the organization on building business value and prepare companies for a transition.
★The "Exit Your Way" system for developing and measuring progress towards exit value goal
★Strategic and tactical services working alongside business owners and staff to make things happen  
★Coordination of business transactions
★Business advisory for new business buyers to continue the success long after the sale

Managing Partner - Sell a Business

Ecommerce MGMT Cooperative

Helping companies that want to improve their digital sales strategies through live stream training that builds a foundation of knowledge which can be applied to real world solutions in businesses.

Leadership Team

Evergreen Renewable LLC

Management consulting and project development company

Manage the business and consulting projects for process developers, manufacturers, and commercial customers.  

★ Evaluation of technologies, applications, and project development opportunities. 
★ Technical support, business strategy, and diligence for project development and execution.  
★ Develop business plans for project finance and development.
★ Identify and connected with potential investment groups.
★ Present business plans to interested investment groups.
★ Manage project development and business improvement projects.
★ Provide leadership, direction, and business management for the company

President | General Manager | Consultant

Synergy Systems Inc.

Machining, stereolithography (SLA), and urethane molding of components and assemblies for aerospace, defense, medical, and technology companies.

Managed the business - Company needed significant structural and operational changes to become competitive in the marketplace.  

★Implemented formal cash usage controls from holding company 
★Implemented weekly performance review/cash management meetings with holding company
★Implemented weekly soft close to measure estimated profitability on a weekly basis
★Combined similar capabilities in subsidiaries to increase utilization of equipment and efficiency
★Utilized Kaizen to restructure business processes 
★Implemented ERP system to provide streamlined financial and operational information
★Created visual factory scheduling system to reduce WIP and slow moving products
★Assisted management and staff in completing AS9100 certification audits.
★Worked directly with SBA personnel to maintain 8A certification
★Maintained Boeing Gold supplier rating for quality and delivery
★Fostered relationships with large aerospace and nuclear customers seeking 8A certified suppliers

➤Company cash neutral in 120 days. Cash positive in 180 days
➤Reduced G&A costs by 20% and increased operational productivity by 25%.  
Turn around role for Alaskan Native Corporation holding company.

Vice President | General Manager

Olympic Fabrication LLC

Precision fabrication of ground support equipment, vessels, and facility subsystems for aerospace and NQA1 nuclear customers.  

Managed the business for the holding company with an on-site General Manager - Company needed significant organizational changes to become an efficient producer.  Lead the General Manager and Operational Management team to make these changes. 

★Implemented formal cash usage controls from parent company 
★Implemented weekly performance review/cash management meetings with parent company
★Eliminated capabilities to focus on core strengths
★Managed extensive 5S organizational work with operational team
★Provided operational direction to develop plans to increase throughput up to 2X as needed to complete projects
★Worked directly with SBA personnel to maintain 8A certification
★Assisted management and staff in completing AS9100 and NQA1 certification audits.
★Fostered relationships with aerospace and nuclear customers seeking 8A certified suppliers 

➤Company cash neutral in 90 days. Cash positive in 120 days
➤Ultimately increased revenues over 20% and profitability over 70%  

Turn around role for Alaskan Native Corporation holding company.

Vice President

EverGreen Renewable LLC

Energy company working to develop a 50 MGY Washington State based corn ethanol facility. Elected not to construct facility due to market conditions. 
.
★ Researched and selected technology partners to develop off grid corn ethanol production facility
★ Developed business plans and identified team to construct and operate the corn ethanol facility
★ Conducted technology diligence and economic modeling to determine commercial feasibility for   project
★ Developed investor package to raise funds for the $150 million corn ethanol facility.

Project Developer

CNC Diversified Manufacturing, Inc.

Complex 5 axis machined precision components and assemblies for tier 1 aerospace and defense manufacturers. 

Managed the business - Company needed significant changes to turn around financial and operational performance.

★Eliminated processing constraints inoperations resulting in over 50% sales increase.
★Increase machine utilization over 45% through organizational process changes
★Developed operational KPI's to ensure high machine utilization
★Set up 24/7 operational schedule to increase utilization of key equipment
★Combined operations into one facility to improve costs and efficiency
★Implemented communication and process changes to improve Boeing customer rating from red to silver “High Performer” for delivery and quality
★Coordinated technical efforts to reduce overall production times approximately 40% on titanium products.
★Increase throughput of company by over 25%
★Developed supply chain and internal controls to complete composite tooling project which doubled sales during the 4 month project period

➤Company cash neutral in 120 days.  Profitable in 270 days. 
Turn around role for private equity group

VP, Operations

Automated Metal Techologies

Precision sheet metal fabrication 

Managed the company - Implemented significant changes throughout the business to grow the revenues and profits.

★Implemented improvements that allowed 30% growth with a reduction in company staffing.
★Applied visual work in process scheduling at workstations
★Implemented programming software to dynamically nest production requirements on a daily basis
★Developed kan ban replenishment of raw sheet stock from supplier
★Utilized automatic sheet feeders and implemented remote video cameras for lights out operation
★Provided customers 3 business day service on custom items
★Managed supply chain and inventory at customer locations to eliminate stock outs

➤Increased revenues approximately 50% in 24 months
➤Company set new records for sales and profit %
Private owner

VP | General Manager

Helping Founders Scale, Prepare, and Exit | Value & Profit Growth | Live Streaming Business Development | Buying & Selling Businesses | Chief Exit Officer | LinkedIn Live Stream Host

Running a business was supposed to give you more freedom, not take it away.

But somewhere along the way, growth slowed. The work got heavier. You’re buried in day-to-day decisions, your team is busy, but results aren’t where they should be. Instead of scaling, it feels like you’re stuck.

That’s not failure. That’s a business plateau. And it’s more common than most business owners are willing to admit.

I help fix that.

For more than 25 years, I’ve worked with owners and leadership teams in manufacturing, ecommerce, and B2B services to help them grow businesses that run better, generate more value, and eventually become sellable when the time is right.

Through Exit Your Way, I guide B2B companies to build systems, elevate teams, and create exit options, even if they don’t plan to sell for years. Through our work at B2Btail with the Digital Game Plan strategy development/execution process, we help companies stop being the best kept secret by creating marketing foundations that attract their ideal customers and position them for long-term success.

My focus is simple: helping you build a business that works, whether you’re in the room or not.

Common challenges I help solve:

Low visibility: Your best customers don’t know you exist. We fix that by aligning messaging, strategy, and marketing assets to bring them to you.

Owner overload: If everything depends on you, growth hits a wall. We help build teams and systems that keep moving, even when you step away.

Exit confusion: You want out someday, but the path forward is unclear. We build companies buyers want and owners are proud of.

When it works, here’s what changes:

Customers find you because your message finally speaks their language

Your team handles the day-to-day, freeing you to focus on higher-value work

You move from reacting to leading, and from being stuck to scaling intentionally

I’ve built and sold companies, led investor-backed teams, and helped founders grow from $5 million to $30 million and beyond. I bring the tools, perspective, and calm needed to lead through messy growth and prepare for clean, profitable exits.

But this isn’t just about growth or selling. It’s about control over your time, your team, your income, and your future.

If you’re ready to lead again instead of constantly catching up, I’d be glad to talk.

damon@exityourway.com

425-654-7757
exityourway.com | b2btail.com

You’ve built something great. Let’s make sure it works for you.

Damon Pistulka √

Your customer is the hero.

You’re the guide.

Remember that to earn trust and drive sales.

Most businesses position themselves as the hero:

🔷We do this.

🔷We built that.

🔷We’ve been around since…

But your customer doesn’t care about your story…

They care about how you help them succeed.

When you make them the hero in your messaging:

🔥Your story supports theirs

🔥You become a trusted guide

🔥Your brand becomes magnetic

When you clearly help people understand how you might help them succeed your messaging resonates more clearly.


⚡Show people how things will be better working with you! ⚡


How would your messaging change if it was all about your customer’s success?


⭐ Helping owners grow their businesses with coaching, training, systems, and a supportive community. ⭐

👉Subscribe to "The Best Kept Secret Sauce" newsletter for strategies that turn conversations into opportunities.

🔔 Follow me for thoughts on relentless business growth, leadership, and life.

Video credit - readersdigest

#StoryBrand #CustomerSuccess #MessagingMatters #MarketingStrategy #DigitalGamePlan

Helping Business Owners Achieve Significant Profit Growth | Transformative Business Development | Transaction Advisory | LinkedIn Live Stream Host

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Damon Pistulka √

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The Battle

Christin Marvin

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Engagements

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Christin Marvin's LinkedIn Performance

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