Get All Access for $5/mo

Devin Eichler of Crafty Cow Explains How to Use Your Personal Brand to Boost Your Business The founder and CEO of Crafty Cow Devin Eichler discusses streamlining operations with Toast, connecting with customers through personal branding, and never being afraid to ask for help.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Key Takeaways

  • Streamlining operations for Devin Eichler is key. Switching from Aloha POS to Toast helped simplify things so that even managers who are not technology savvy could still use it.
  • Connecting with customers through personal branding is crucial to growth. Being on video didn't initially come naturally to Eichler, but he now understands the power that smartphone storytelling holds as a way of connecting with his audience.
  • Get curious and always ask for help. Eichler, like most business owners, hit a rough spot and was unable to find a solution. Fortunately, he had the courage to ask for help, and not only found solutions but also opportunities that he may not have had otherwise.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Crafty Cow Founder/CEO Devin Eichler understands that in the fast-paced world of restaurants, simplicity and connection are often the keys to success.

Specifically, in today's digital age, establishing a genuine connection with your audience is paramount.

Eichler initially struggled with this aspect, particularly when it came to video content. However, he recognized the power of Smartphone Storytelling in forging relationships with his customer base. "The more we put ourselves out there and the more that we actually show who we are, we show who our staff is…That's what people want to see," Devin tells Restaurant Influencers host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media.

It took time and effort for Devin to become a business content creator. "That's how people get connected with you. That's how you grow your audience."

When he made the switch from Aloha to Toast POS, he experienced a transformative shift in his operations that not only streamlined his processes but also empowered even his less tech-savvy managers. It simplified the entire business.

"We needed something that would work faster, something that we could update," he explains about making his POS change. "Even our managers that aren't good with technology, they are able to use Toast so easily. It really saved our lives at that point."

Like many entrepreneurs, Eichler faced challenges he couldn't resolve on his own. What set him apart was his willingness to seek help and guidance. This crucial decision not only led to solutions for his problems but also opened doors to unforeseen opportunities.

"Get curious. Ask for help," he says. "Ask for help first. Once I started asking for help, so many doors opened that would have stayed shut if I just kept living in my own sadness and not trying to get better."

Devin Eichler's journey in the restaurant industry speaks to the importance of embracing change, leveraging technology, and connecting with your audience authentically.

Subscribe to Restaurant Influencers: Entrepreneur | Spotify | Apple

About Restaurant Influencers

Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.

Shawn P. Walchef

Founder of Cali BBQ Media

“Be the show, not the commercial.”

Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn Walchef helps brands and leaders leverage the new Business Creator Economy with strategic Smartphone Storytelling and Digital Hospitality.

His Cali BBQ restaurant company has generated more than $35 million since opening in 2008. They operate numerous locations in San Diego and beyond.

Shawn’s weekly video series Restaurant Influencers (published by Entrepreneur Media and produced by Cali BBQ Media) has been seen by over 25 million people.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Growing a Business

How Connecting With the Right Audience Drives Long-Term Business Success

Here's how targeted lead generation can help you unlock higher conversions, stronger brand loyalty and scalable growth.

Business News

'You Own Nothing Here on Social': Meta Outage, Looming TikTok Ban Has Creators Questioning How Much of Their Business They Really Control

With repeated tech outages and a possible TikTok ban on the horizon, creators are looking for new ways to influence. Turns out, one old-school way still reigns supreme.

Leadership

Should I Stay or Should I Go? 8 Key Points to Navigate the Founder's Dilemma

Here are eight key signs that help founders determine whether to persevere or let go.

Starting a Business

They Bought an Ice Cream Truck Off eBay for $5,000. Now Their Company Has 70 Shops and Sells Treats in Over 12,000 Stores.

For the episode of "The Founder CEO," the co-founder and CEO of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream explains how one ice cream truck grew into a successful nationwide brand.

Marketing

Your Most Powerful Marketing Weapon Is Hiding in the Finance Department — Here's Why

Transform your marketing leadership by turning finance from a barrier into a strategic ally. Learn how aligning with your finance team can drive unprecedented growth and innovation.