We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Niko And Becca Bendaj a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Niko and Becca, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Our love of bagels and creating food that brings people together plays a big role in where we are today and how we found our purpose. Food, something as simple yet comforting as a bagel, can foster connections in a community. Bagels, in particular, have a special place in our heart as it brought us closer together when we were dating. We saw a gap in food options in the Charlotte Park area and knew that this was the right place to build out our plans. We wanted to build something from the ground up, create jobs, and to contribute to our local area which helped shape our purpose. We have plans for expansion, continuing to connect with people through food and fostering a welcoming community in the process.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
What we do at Benji’s is all about creating a space where people can enjoy freshly made, authentic NY style bagels in a welcoming, community-focused environment. We make all of our bagels in-house, using a steam kettle and then bake on stone. Every single bagel is hand rolled with care. We offer fresh bagels every day and do NOT compromise on quality EVER. Our menu offers a variety of classic bagels as well as some creative options unlike a typical bagel spot. From our bagels and schmears to baked goods and coffee syrups, everything is made in house from scratch.
What excites us the most is seeing how Benji’s has become a part of our guests’ daily routines. Whether they’re grabbing a quick bite on their way to work, sitting down for coffee with friends and family or even taking a work meeting here, it’s amazing to see our shop buzzing with life. We really pride ourselves on being a place that feels like home to both locals and visitors, and that’s something we feel is special about our brand. We’re not just a bagel shop, we’re a community hub.
As for what’s new, we’re gearing up for our first official holiday season. Introducing more family recipes as cooler weather approaches while still offering fall favorites made from scratch.
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 qualities that have been most impactful in our journey are resilience, a guest-first mindset, and a willingness to adapt.
First, resilience is key because starting and running a small business is filled with challenges. From managing the unexpected to navigating busy days, to keeping staff happy, you have to be able to keep going. My advice for anyone just starting out is to embrace the hurdles as part of the process and to learn from it rather than letting it discourage you. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow and improve.
Second, having a customer-first mindset is crucial. At Benji’s, we always focus on creating the best possible experience for our guests, whether it’s through the quality of our bagels, the friendliness of our staff, or the overall atmosphere. For those starting their journey, I’d recommend constantly thinking about how you can exceed your guests’ expectations. Listen to their feedback and be willing to make changes based on what they want—building strong relationships with your guests will take you a long way.
Finally, a willingness to adapt has been huge. Especially in today’s business environment, being flexible and open to change is important. I’d advise anyone starting out to stay open-minded. Don’t be afraid to pivot if you see a better way forward, and always look for ways to innovate and improve.
To develop these skills, I’d say start by surrounding yourself with a support system—mentors, fellow business owners, or even guests whose opinions you value. Stay curious, keep learning, and be persistent. The journey won’t always be smooth, but if you focus on resilience, delivering value to your customers, and staying adaptable, you’ll be well-positioned for success.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
There’s value in doing both—leaning into your strengths while also addressing your weaker areas. However, the key is balance. It’s essential to recognize your strengths and use them as a foundation for success, but being well-rounded in business is equally important, especially as you grow.
When we started Benji’s, my strength (Becca) was my passion for creating great food, building a community, operations and marketing. I leaned heavily into that. I knew the quality of what we serve had to be exceptional, and that was where I focused much of my energy. I loved connecting with customers, crafting new menu items, creating that welcoming atmosphere we’re known for as well as creating a social media account that really showcased what we were all about. Areas like operations, finances and honing our well known bagel recipe was Niko.
Our advice is: don’t be afraid to go all in on what you’re good at—it’s what sets you apart—but also recognize where you can grow. Whether you take the time to learn yourself or bring in people to complement your skills, being well-rounded will help ensure long-term success. That is why Niko and I are really good partners in both life and business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://benjisbagel.com
- Instagram: benjisbagel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556788568613
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/benjis-bagel-and-coffee-house-nashville
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
