How One Restaurant Owner Built a Thriving Business and Gained Freedom
Running a restaurant can feel like an endless grind — long hours, constant stress and financial uncertainty. But what if you could step back from the day-to-day operations and still have a successful, profitable restaurant? In this episode of The Restaurant Prosperity Formula Podcast, I sit down with Deja Wakefield, a former teacher turned restaurant owner, who shares her journey from being overwhelmed by restaurant ownership to running two thriving businesses with systems that give her true freedom.
Meet Deja Wakefield
Wakefield and her family opened SeaQuake Brewing in Crescent City, California, in 2016. At the time, she was a full-time teacher with no background in the restaurant industry. Over the years, she helped manage the business while balancing her teaching career and raising her children. In 2020, she made the leap into full-time restaurant management, just in time to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. Fast forward to 2024, and Wakefield has expanded her business with the opening of Seafront Baking Company, a bakery, sandwich shop and pizzeria.
Despite these expansions, she has pulled herself out of the daily grind and now focuses on high-level operations, marketing and special projects. Her secret? Systems, delegation and a strong team.
Key takeaways from this restaurant podcast
- The power of systems
Before joining my coaching program, Wakefield and her team operated without clear processes. Implementing systems for labor management, food cost control and daily checklists changed everything. Now, she has managers who run the business efficiently, allowing her to step away from daily operations. - Delegation is essential
One of the biggest challenges for restaurant owners is letting go of control. Wakefield struggled with this at first but learned that proper training and accountability allow her team to take ownership of their roles. As a result, she no longer has to be on the schedule, and she can trust her team to keep things running smoothly. - Culture makes all the difference
Changing company culture wasn’t easy, but Wakefield focused on hiring the right people, setting clear expectations and creating an environment where employees feel valued. When she opened her second location, she was able to build the right culture from day one, making the transition smoother. - Know your numbers
Even though Wakefield’s husband is a CPA, she initially avoided diving into the financials. Through coaching, she gained the confidence to analyze food and labor costs, track key performance indicators (KPIs) and make data-driven decisions. Now, she proactively manages profitability rather than reacting to problems too late. - The value of a support network
Restaurant ownership can feel lonely, but being part of a coaching program connected Wakefield with a community of like-minded owners. Learning from others, sharing struggles and getting expert guidance helped her navigate challenges faster and more effectively.
Why this matters for you
If you’re feeling stuck in your restaurant — overworked, stressed and struggling to turn a profit — Wakefield’s story proves that change is possible. By implementing systems, delegating responsibilities and understanding your numbers, you can transform your business and regain control of your time and finances.
Click the podcast player above to listen in, or you can watch the video on YouTube, click here to download the latest episode.
