Acai, Authenticity, and Ambition: Robert Giuliani’s Playa Bowls Journey

04/09/2024 39 min
Acai, Authenticity, and Ambition: Robert Giuliani’s Playa Bowls Journey

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Episode Synopsis

In this episode, I sit down with Rob Giuliani, the visionary co-founder behind Playa Bowls. Rob's story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, revealing how a small idea sparked on the Jersey Shore evolved into a nationwide brand with over 280 locations. We explore the foundational values Rob brought from his military background—like precision and perseverance—and how these have been key to Playa Bowls' growth.Rob opens up about the early days of Playa Bowls, sharing how he and his co-founder Abby Taylor turned a humble cart into a cult favorite despite the challenges and doubts from those around them. He talks about the critical decisions that shaped the company's trajectory, including the strategic move to franchise and the importance of building a robust, culture-driven team.Rob’s emphasis on staying authentic in a rapidly changing industry makes this conversation genuinely insightful. He discusses the delicate balance between innovation and sticking to what you know best and how Playa Bowls has managed to keep its identity intact while scaling. Rob also reflects on the invaluable lessons he's learned from mentors and the importance of knowing when to ask for help—a trait he believes is often overlooked in the entrepreneurial world.This is more than just a business story—it's about perseverance, creativity, and staying true to your vision, no matter the obstacles. Join us for an inspiring conversation highlighting the grind behind what some might call "overnight success."00:00 - Introduction 02:09 - Building a Brand 07:15 - Guerrilla Marketing and Early Challenges 10:53 - The Power of Culture 2:59 - Overcoming Doubts and Building a Strong Brand 19:52 - Scaling the Business and Injecting Corporization 20:21 - Maintaining Innovation and Consistency 25:46 - Unbelievable Challenges of Franchising 28:15 - Staying Innovative in the Fast-Casual Industry 30:19 - The Role of Healthy Eating in the Industry 33:30 - Challenges of Scaling and Creating Upward Mobility 36:04 - The Impact of Social Media and the Importance of Authenticity 38:02 - Reflecting on Risks and Influential People Rob On Socials: IG @rgewls @ playabowls FB: https://www.facebook.com/PlayaBowls/ X: @playabowls LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-giuliani Jon on Socials: IG: @streetschultz FB: Jon Schultz X: @JonSchultz_Onyx LinkedIn: jonschultz1 www.jonschultz.com

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