Out of the Fire turned 24 on June 1, 2024. When I was 24 I had landed one of those positions with a fortune 100 company that many graduates of Business School covet. The kind of job that includes a company car, expense account, 401k, bonuses, health benefits and the loss of the soul.
A restaurant was not on my radar screen when I was 24 years old. Nor was the concept of engaging in something concrete and meaningful for 24 years. One of the most important things I have learned is that I am not self-made. I actually bristle when someone is described as self-made. No one is self-made. We need each and every interaction with each other to grow and reach beyond ourselves. Both positive and negative experiences shape us. Of course the learning and growing piece demands our capacity for openness and the humility to accept that we don’t know everything. We don’t and we never will. I wish my 24 year old self had access to that kind of wisdom. It would have saved me a lot of heartbreak and suffering. My arrogance or most likely my insecurity led me to believe that I did not require other’s suggestions and or constructive criticism, I was just fine in the hard shell that I had created around myself.
What I do know today is that Out of the Fire would not have endured and remained relevant for all these years without all of the beautiful people that have been with me during this extended journey. I am one of those people who is fortunate enough to work with a group of super intelligent, funny, hard working, engaged, talented and passionate people that I actually look forward to seeing everyday. All of them have made and shaped me into the person I am today. All of them have softened and humbled me. A gift that I will continue to cherish.
We are not perfect, but we have, in our own way elegantly survived many challenges. We are there to support each other through what it is we need from each other. That, to me, is perfect.
We deeply appreciate the community that has so robustly supported and contributed to our making. As we continue to navigate this crazy and tumultuous world in which we live we will continue to count on your support. We have worked hard over the years to provide food and a space that is creative, beautiful, warm, friendly and interesting while feeling both familiar and exotic. THANK YOU from the bottoms of our humble hearts.
You can find this painting by our friend Howard Lapp over our mantle in our home!
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