Meet Chrissy Mcgrorty

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chrissy Mcgrorty a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chrissy, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from my friends and family. They always encourage me to see the positive side of situations and provide me with reassurance when I’m facing challenges. I spend time with people who make me happy and we celebrate together, focusing on the good things in life.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My sister, niece, and I run a family restaurant called Rocky’s Pizza. Running a family restaurant is an exciting venture because it allows us to make personal connections, preserve family traditions, and be a part of the local community. There’s something incredibly special about building something that can be passed down to future generations. The restaurant becomes more than just a business; it’s a legacy, a testament to the hard work and dedication of the family. There’s immense satisfaction in knowing that your family’s efforts are directly contributing to the success and growth of the business and community. This restaurant has been a staple of the community for 40 years! Our goal is to maintain the integrity of the original business while expanding our events and community involvement. We have added an open mic night, drag shows, brunches, game show nights, and fundraising events to help us become not only a great place to eat, but also a hub of activity for the town.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three qualities that were most impactful on our journey are our ability to form meaningful personal connections with customers, our problem solving skills, and our adaptability. The restaurant business is always evolving, with technology and customer expectations changing daily, even hourly. The ability to think on your feet and adapt to unexpected challenges—whether it’s a sudden rush of customers, supply chain issues, staffing shortages, or even weather is crucial in ensuring the restaurant’s smooth operation. Creating a welcoming environment where customers feel valued and appreciated leads to repeat business and word-of-mouth referrals, which are vital for growth. We are lucky to have been born and raised in this community where we have many meaningful personal connections. Generations of customers have been coming to the restaurant and it’s the heart of our town.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

We are fortunate that our parents instilled in us a strong work ethic and taught us responsibility from a very young age. We are all strong-willed, independent women and that comes from the example our mom set for us. Our parents were also business owners, and they have shared valuable insight from their experiences. They also still provide unwavering support and are frequently present and can be seen helping out around the restaurant!

Contact Info:

• Website: www,rockyspizza29.com
• Instagram: rockyspizza29
• Facebook: Rocky’s New York Style Pizzeria
• Yelp: Rocky’s Pizza, 29 Palms

Image Credits

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