Penny - Lotus of Siam: The Real Cost of Running a Restaurant... | DSH #1717

Running a restaurant isn’t glamorous.

It’s sacrifice, pressure, and showing up when everyone else goes home.

In this episode, Penny of Lotus of Siam opens up about growing up inside a family restaurant, learning through tough love, and eventually earning the responsibility to take over one of the most respected Thai restaurants in Las Vegas.

From hating the restaurant business as a kid, to appreciating the lessons it taught him, to building a staff-first culture with real benefits — this conversation is about legacy, leadership, and doing things the hard way.

📚 What You’ll Learn

🍜 What it’s really like growing up in a restaurant family

🧠 Why tough love builds long-term operators

👥 How staff treatment impacts business results

🏥 Why offering medical benefits changes everything

🏗️ Why slow expansion beats rapid growth

🔁 Why owners must know every role

🔬 Why cooking is closer to science than art

💸 How food costs and margins actually work

Chapters

00:00 Growing Up Inside a Family Restaurant

00:32 Why He Hated the Restaurant Business

01:29 Earning the Right to Take Over

02:56 Being Early to the Vegas Thai Scene

03:19 Why Staff Treatment Shows Up in the Food

03:53 Learning What Not to Be as a Boss

05:05 Paying Full Medical Benefits in a Restaurant

06:12 Why Expansion Can Destroy Great Restaurants

06:45 Knowing Every Role Before You’re an Owner

07:14 Why Curry Is the Hardest Dish to Master

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👤 GUEST:

Penny - https://www.instagram.com/lotusofsiam/

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⚠️ DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are solely those of the individuals appearing on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team.

While we encourage open and honest discussions, Sean Kelly is not legally responsible for any statements, claims, or opinions made by guests during the show.

Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions and seek professional advice where appropriate. The content shared is for entertainment and informational purposes only — it should not be taken as legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.

We strive to present accurate and reliable information; however, we make no guarantees regarding its completeness or accuracy. The views expressed are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the producers or affiliates of this program.

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🔑 Keywords

lotus of siam interview, las vegas thai restaurant, family restaurant business, restaurant ownership reality, gen z entrepreneurship food, staff first restaurant culture, paying benefits restaurant industry, thai food vegas

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