Monday, August 26, 2024 Booker’s Restaurant and Bar, a well-known eatery in West Philadelphia, is recognized not just for its food, service, and lively atmosphere, but also for its innovative approach to empowering employees. Co-owners Tracey Syphax and Cheri Syphax are leading a groundbreaking initiative to transform their staff from employees into potential employers and business owners. This effort is a unique move within the restaurant industry, where the focus typically remains on training staff to deliver excellent service.
However, at Booker’s, the goal extends beyond service, as employees are given the tools and knowledge to embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. Tracey Syphax, the author of From the Block to the Boardroom , and CJ Meenan, the founder of XPStartUp Labs LLC, have been collaborating for the past seven years to bring entrepreneurial opportunities to communities affected by the war on drugs. Together, they founded Reentry Ventures & Street StartUps, initiatives aimed at fostering entrepreneurship among incarcerated individuals and those impacted by systemic inequalities.
Their latest endeavor is to bring this same entrepreneurial spirit to the employees of Booker’s Restaurant and Bar, particularly during National Black Business Month. The program, offered free to employees, focuses on essential business skills such as financial management, marketing, and business development. Additionally, participants are given the chance to shadow Tracey and Ch.