We were lucky to catch up with Jamie Daskalis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jamie , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
It took me a long time to realize just how different I am in so many ways. Growing up wasn’t easy for me—and when I say ‘growing up,’ I mean even now, stepping into my forties. I’ve learned so many lessons the hard way, and after what feels like a lifetime of trial and error, I’ve built a resilience that carries me through each day.
As a kid, nothing came easily to me the way it seemed to for others. School was the worst—I never fit the mold. I was bullied, restless, and constantly questioning why what I was learning felt so irrelevant to who I was. No one ever asked, ‘How would you like to learn? What excites you?’ So I built this everything-is-fine attitude, not just on the outside but deep down in my core. Along the way I picked up skills, adaptability, and persistence—sometimes to the point of exhaustion. People often ask, ‘How are you good at everything?’ and in my head I’m thinking, what do you mean? Is there another option?
That mindset carried me through my twenties and thirties, where life handed me personal and professional struggles: financial instability, marriage, raising an autistic child, a life-changing move, divorce, heartbreaks, and eventually the loss of my father. Each of those moments forced me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. Many of those tests I passed, but others left scars that I still carry in my body, mind, and soul.
So when people ask where my resilience comes from, I think about all of it—the struggles, the heartbreaks, the reinventions. Resilience, for me, isn’t one single story. It’s the thread that connects every chapter of my life. It’s what allows me to start over, to keep going, and to believe that even after loss or failure, something beautiful can grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Professionally, food and hospitality have been the backbone of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up in restaurants, watching my father build not just a business but a community around a table. That foundation shaped how I lead, how I cook, and how I show up for people.
When we came to Myrtle Beach, it was the start of something new. My father and I built Johnny D’s Waffles & Benedicts together, side by side. His experience and vision paired with my own drive and creativity laid the foundation for what the restaurant has become today. What makes Johnny D’s special isn’t just a great waffle or a benedict—it’s the spirit behind it: creativity, consistency, and a genuine belief that food can make people feel seen.
Over time, my work has grown beyond the four walls of the restaurant. I launched my spice brand, Making It Delicious, so guests can bring a little of our kitchen home—seasonings that make weeknight cooking easier and more flavorful, crafted the same way I build dishes on the line: layered, balanced, and joyful.
What excites me right now? Continuing to evolve—new seasonal menus that surprise you, expanding the spice line, and refining the systems that keep our standards high as we grow. Whether it’s a brunch dish that sparks a memory or a spice blend that transforms a family recipe, my work is about connection. That’s the heartbeat of my brand, and it’s what I hope people feel every time they sit at our table—or cook with us at home.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I can see three things that shaped me most. The first is perseverance. From school struggles as a kid to setbacks in business, I learned early on that success doesn’t come from things being easy — it comes from refusing to stop showing up. My advice to anyone starting out is: don’t mistake difficulty for failure. Keep moving forward, even if it’s inch by inch.
The second is adaptability. In hospitality, nothing goes exactly as planned. A delivery doesn’t arrive, a recipe needs rethinking, or life throws something bigger your way. I learned to adjust without losing momentum, and that flexibility has been one of my greatest tools. To build it, practice letting go of perfection and instead focus on solutions. Ask yourself: what can I do in this moment?
The third is empathy. Whether it’s creating autism-friendly dining, listening to a guest’s story, or mentoring a new cook, empathy has kept me grounded in the why behind my work. My advice here: slow down enough to really listen. Understanding people isn’t just good business — it’s what makes the journey meaningful.
Those three — perseverance, adaptability, and empathy — are the threads that have carried me through every chapter, and I believe they’re skills anyone can cultivate if they’re willing to be open, honest, and persistent.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My father has been the most important influence in my journey. He taught me so much about food, hospitality, and the grit it takes to succeed in this industry. Working with him gave me an incredible foundation, and I’ll always carry his lessons with me.
At the same time, he wasn’t perfect — none of us are — and some of my own growth came from choosing a slightly different path. That doesn’t lessen his impact; in fact, it deepens it. He shaped me through what he did teach and also through the space he left for me to become my own kind of leader.
In many ways, that’s the best legacy anyone can leave: giving you both the strength to carry forward and the freedom to evolve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.johnnydswaffles.com
- Instagram: @chefjamiedaskalis
- Facebook: @chefjamiedaskalis
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