Episode Details

Darin is joined by Katherine Lewin, founder and CEO of Big Night, one of his favorite shops—and one of his biggest sources of dinner party inspiration. She shares her five rules for opening a shop, building community, and creating a brand with purpose. They talk about what it takes to open a physical store, why starting small matters, how storytelling can transform a retail experience, and why the best decisions often come from trusting your gut. If you've ever dreamed of starting your own business or want to host better dinner parties, this one’s for you.

A message from the Independent Hospitality Coalition for those being affected by ICE raids in Los Angeles:

Attention restaurant owners, be prepared. Thank you to everyone who has shared information that has allowed us to plan.As if restaurant owners and hospitality workers did not have enough to worry about. Our kitchens are what they are because of are immigrant community. ICE is plucking people from our community in the name of law and order, we know the truth.History will remember this moment.

Un mensaje de la Independent Hospitality Coalition para quienes están siendo afectados por las redadas de ICE en Los Ángeles:

Atención dueños de restaurantes: prepárense. Gracias a todos los que han compartido información que nos ha permitido organizarnos.

Como si los dueños de restaurantes y trabajadores de hospitalidad no tuvieran ya suficientes preocupaciones. Nuestras cocinas son lo que son gracias a nuestra comunidad inmigrante. ICE está arrancando a personas de nuestra comunidad en nombre de la ley y el orden —pero nosotros conocemos la verdad.

La historia recordará este momento.

[00:00:00] Darin Hello, and welcome to Five Rules for the Good Life. I'm your host, Darin Bresnitz. Today, I am joined by one of my favorite small business owners and dinner party inspirations, Katherine Lewin, who's the founder and CEO of Big Night. We chat about her five rules for opening up a shop, how to stay focused, how storytelling is a big part of selling. And at the end of the day, one of the most important things you can do is to trust your gut. Let's get into the rules. Katherine, always a pleasure to see you. Congratulations on the expansion of the original Greenpoint Big Night Shop. How does it feel?

[00:00:38] Katherine Feels amazing. I'm coming to you live from our backyard, which was part of the original space, but now feels even more special. The interior is three times the size. We just have room to spread out. It feels great.

[00:00:52] Darin I love how humble you're being because you're coming from the backyard because the store is so packed on a Thursday afternoon that you actually can't do the interview in there.

[00:00:59] Katherine That's one way to frame it. Darin, that's a reframe that I like. It's all thanks to our customers who are the kind of people who wanna come shop or whatever they might need, whether it's a fancy ingredient or a gift for their sister or a little pick me up on a Thursday afternoon and we love them for it.

[00:01:14] Darin You're there to really support the community. How does it feel to become an integral part of your neighborhood?

[00:01:21] Katherine There's a lot of rewarding feelings about this job, but I would definitely rank it in the top. No one sets out to make a brick and mortar retail store just to do business. For all of us who open actual physi