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Helen Johannesen: Ownership Isn't the Win You Think
Description
What if owning a restaurant isn’t the win you think it is, but a risk most people misunderstand?
Helen Johannesen didn’t just step into ownership, she sacrificed for it. Walking away from financial stability and taking a major pay cut, she bet on herself and a single restaurant that could have gone either way. Today, she’s a partner behind one of LA’s most respected hospitality groups and the force behind a wine brand built on trust, not intimidation.
In this conversation, we unpack what ownership really demands, and why it’s not a universal path. Helen breaks down the illusion of revenue versus profit, why equity isn’t the right incentive for most teams, and how she built a wine program that rejects exclusivity in favor of access.
If you’re chasing ownership—or questioning it—this episode will force a reset.
To explore her selections and join the club, visit helenswines.com.
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