We recently connected with Rick & Josh and have shared our conversation below.
Rick & , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
At The Break Room, our resilience comes from our community. We’ve built this place around people, the locals who show up week after week, the friends who’ve become family, and the shared moments that remind us why we started. Every challenge we’ve faced has only strengthened that connection.
Whether it was adapting to new times, rebuilding after tough seasons, or simply showing up every day with a smile, our drive comes from knowing that what we’ve created isn’t just a sports bar and restaurant, it’s a gathering place. The laughter, the conversations, the cheers after a great play, that’s what keeps us going.
Our resilience also lives in the energy of our guests, the dedication of our team, and the simple belief that good food, good drinks, and good people can get through anything together. Our marketing team and staff are at the center of it all, they keep everything running, motivate us to grow, and remind us every day why we do what we do. Without their passion and commitment, we wouldn’t be who we are today.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
At The Break Room, our story is one of passion, community, and the blending of two very different worlds that came together to create something special.
Rick is a family man through and through, passionate about billiards, craftsmanship, and the kind of old-school values that never go out of style. He built a legacy business, EZ Billiards, from the ground up, not just for himself but for his family. Known for his big heart and unwavering generosity, Rick never says no to someone in need. He believes deeply in hard work, integrity, and face-to-face connections, the kind sealed with a handshake and a smile.
Josh, on the other hand, brings a different kind of energy to the mix. Originally from the East Coast, he came to California with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a sharp eye for innovation. His fascination with trends, culture, and the evolving world of business led him to experiment with creative ideas early in his career, ideas that would eventually become the foundation for something much bigger.
When Rick and Josh crossed paths, they realized that despite coming from completely different backgrounds, they shared one powerful vision: to build a place that felt real, a gathering spot rooted in authenticity, hard work, and connection. So, they took a leap of faith. Together, they combined Rick’s old-school values with Josh’s forward-thinking approach, and The Break Room was born.
What they created isn’t just a bar or a business, it’s a reflection of who they are. It’s the perfect blend of tradition and innovation, where every guest feels like part of the family. The Break Room stands as a symbol of what happens when experience meets creativity, and when community always comes first.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, we’d say the three most impactful qualities that have shaped our journey with The Break Room are resilience, adaptability, and genuine connection.
Resilience has been everything. Building something from the ground up takes patience, discipline, and a lot of heart. There are challenges, surprises, and moments that test your commitment, but staying focused on why we started and who we’re doing it for has kept us going. For anyone starting out, remember that growth takes time, and the most meaningful success often comes from persistence and consistency, not shortcuts.
Adaptability has been just as important. Coming from two very different backgrounds, Rick with his hands-on, old-school values and Josh with his innovative, trend-focused mindset, we learned early on that the key to staying relevant is knowing when to evolve. The business world changes fast, and being open to new ideas while still respecting your foundation is what keeps things moving forward. Stay curious, stay humble, and never stop learning.
And then there’s connection, which has always been at the heart of what we do. We’ve built The Break Room on relationships, the genuine, face-to-face kind. The conversations, the laughter, and the community we’ve created are what make this place more than just a business. It’s a family.
But beyond those three qualities, one thing we’ve learned is that having the right team behind you is everything. The people who bring your vision to life, from social media and marketing to the front-of-house staff, the kitchen crew, and the chef, are the backbone of any successful operation. Every single person contributes to the bigger picture. We might be the face of the business, but without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Their dedication, talent, and teamwork are the ingredients that make the recipe work.
At the end of the day, our story is proof that success isn’t just built on passion and hard work, it’s built on people. Resilience keeps you grounded, adaptability keeps you growing, and the right team makes your vision real.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
On a professional level, one of the most impactful people in our journey has been our marketing director Debs Nieves or as we like to call her, our “third teammate.” She joined The Break Room just three months after we opened, at a time when we were completely new to the hospitality world and still learning what it meant to build a brand from the ground up. From the very beginning, she came in like a whirlwind, organized, creative, and full of direction and guided us through every step of transforming our vision into reality.
She didn’t just market The Break Room, she helped build it. From developing our brand identity and social media strategy to helping us understand how to connect with our community authentically, she went far beyond what any marketing professional is expected to do. She believed in us before anyone else did, and that belief gave us the confidence and clarity to grow. Her dedication, creativity, and friendship have played a huge part in who we are today as a business and as people.
We also owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to our friends and family who have supported us since day one. They’ve been there through every late night, early morning, and major milestone, cheering us on, lending a hand, and reminding us why we do what we do. Without their love, encouragement, and presence, The Break Room simply wouldn’t be what it is today.
Contact Info:
- Website: www,breakroomscv.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breakroomscv
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreakRoomSCV
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/breakroomscv
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-break-room-santa-clarita
Image Credits
Mario Barajas/Leire Baztarrica
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
