E14: John Vincent – Building A Restaurant Empire

In this episode of 'The Diary Of A CEO', Steven Bartlett sits down with John Vincent, the co-founder and CEO of the European restaurant chain Leon. The conversation is deeply personal, introspective, and takes place against the backdrop of a recent tragedy: the passing of John's father, who was also the inspiration behind the Leon brand. John discusses the origins of Leon, born out of frustration with the lack of healthy fast-food options available to hardworking professionals like himself. He recounts his days working long hours in business consultancy, where the only food choices were cold sandwiches or unhealthy fast food, which led to deteriorating health among him and his colleagues.

John's passion for reinventing fast food to be both delicious and healthy is evident throughout the discussion. He shares the challenges of scaling the business to 53 restaurants, the operational stresses that come with it, and the constant stream of issues that need to be addressed, from broken equipment to customer complaints. Despite this, John emphasizes the importance of staying Zen amidst the chaos of the restaurant industry.

A significant portion of the episode delves into John's personal philosophies and how they've influenced his approach to business and life. He speaks candidly about the impact of his father's death on his work and personal life, revealing vulnerabilities and the difficulty of balancing professional and emotional challenges. John also touches on the pervasive influence of social media and technology on our lives, expressing concern over the loss of privacy and the pressure to maintain a perfect online persona.

The conversation shifts to broader topics, including the importance of being present, the dangers of deferring happiness, and the illusion of significance promoted by social media. John shares insights from Daoist and Zen philosophies, which have helped him cope with the pressures of running a large business. He advocates for a life lived in the present, valuing simplicity, and the realization of one's own insignificance in the grand scheme of things.