Yucaipa, California, United States
Hey there, For the past seven-plus years I’ve been the owner/operator of Batter Rebellion, two scratch-kitchen restaurants and full bar in the Inland Empire. We opened the first location in the middle of the 2020 lockdown (nuts I know), hit $2.7 M in sales our best year, and have averaged right around $1.5 M ever since — all on one unit for most of that time. This year (2025) I self-funded and opened a second, spot & doubled our capacity. I run the whole operation: Management, inventory and cost control (prime costs 28-32 %), hiring, training & development, scheduling, compliance, build-outs, marketing, you name it. Started with two people; now it’s 28 across both places, and the team is the part I’m proudest of. Before restaurants, I spent nearly eight years in behavioral health as Director of Quality Assurance for a 120-resident provider. I designed and led the rollout of a brand-new electronic health record system (Therap) for 200+ clinical and direct-support staff, helped built the compliance program, and coached 18 facility managers and 6 (QIDPs) clinical leads. We consistently posted some of the best survey scores in the state, lowered turnover, and created a culture people actually wanted to be part of. I also had a great (short) run at Esri leading a team of technical instructors worldwide — keeping training sharp, customer-focused, and ahead of new product releases. What lights me up is people, team development and turning chaos into systems that work. Organization is my life! I’ve lived the entrepreneur’s roller-coaster — cash-flow crunches, regulatory nightmares, 3 a.m. maintenance calls — and come out the other side with two locations and a lot of hard-won perspective. After pouring everything into my own businesses, I’m ready for the next chapter and a little more balance in my life. I’m looking for one company I can call home for the long haul — a place where I can bring everything I’ve learned about lean operations, team culture, cost discipline, and revenue growth. If you’re a founder or leadership team who values someone who’s built and scaled something themselves, I’d love to hear from you! On the personal side, none of this would be possible without my incredible wife who’s been my rock through every crazy opening, late night, and pivot - and our three awesome kids who keep everything in perspective. If my mix of grit, operations experience, and people-first leadership sounds like it could help your team, let’s talk. Coffee, beer, or Zoom — I’m buying. Shoot me a message here or [email protected] Steven
Founder & Owner Batter Rebellion – Restaurant | Bar | Live Entertainment Southern California ▪ Two locations ▪ 2018–Present Owner-operator of an independent, high-volume, scratch-kitchen concept launched during the 2020 COVID lockdown. Key Accomplishments • Opened Location #1 under full pandemic restrictions; peaked at $2.7 M annual sales and averaged $1.5 M yearly at a single unit. • Self-funded and opened Location #2 in 2025, doubling capacity while remaining profitable and nearly debt-free. • Scaled from 2 to 28 employees across two busy venues with entertainment and full bar service. Current Responsibilities • Full P&L management, budgeting, cash flow, payroll, and accounts payable for both locations • Purchasing & cost control: direct all inventory, ordering, and vendor negotiations; maintain prime costs at 28–32% (COGS & Labor) • Project management of design, permitting, construction, and equipment for both build-outs • Regulatory compliance: County Health, ABC, OSHA, EDD, fire marshal, and all licensing • Team leadership: recruiting, training, scheduling, performance management, and developing chefs/leads into stronger operators • Brand & marketing: menu development, social media, digital presence, events, merchandise, and third-party platform management • Facilities oversight: POS systems, maintenance, insurance, and lease negotiations Proof that disciplined independent restaurants can achieve Healthy revenue, healthy margins, and expansion even in the toughest conditions. Looking to build relationships with driven founders, investors, and executives who value lean operations, proven revenue growth, and the grit required to launch and scale successful ventures—regardless of industry.
As the Owner, I am responsible for overseeing all operational, administrative, and financial functions of the business. My duties include planning, organizing, and directing the full scope of daily restaurant and bar operations while ensuring compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations. I manage budgeting, forecasting, payroll, cash flow, vendor negotiations, and inventory controls to maintain strong financial performance and prime costs between 28–32%. I also lead the recruitment, training, and development of staff, fostering a team culture centered on accountability and exceptional guest service. Additionally, I oversee all construction planning, permitting, equipment procurement, and project management for both locations, ensuring each build-out meets operational needs and regulatory standards. I am responsible for developing the company’s brand, marketing initiatives, menu strategy, digital presence, and guest experience, ensuring that both locations operate efficiently, safely, and consistently while supporting continued growth.
As an Instructor Team Lead my responsibilities included planning, organizing, and coordinating the daily functions of a global team of technical instructors who delivered training on Esri’s GIS software platforms. I worked closely with leadership to ensure that all training programs were aligned with current product capabilities, customer needs, and organizational objectives. I coached and developed instructors through consistent feedback, performance reviews, and structured development plans to maintain high instructional quality and customer satisfaction. My role required collaborating across product management, sales, and customer success teams to ensure training content reflected new software releases and best practices. I was also responsible for classroom quality audits, curriculum refinement, and operational scheduling, ensuring that training events were executed efficiently and professionally. Through this work, I helped maintain strong customer engagement, consistent training standards, and an organized, well-supported instructional team.
As the Quality Assurance Director and Lead EHR Specialist, my responsibilities were to plan, organize, develop, coordinate, and direct the company’s Quality Assessment and Assurance Program in accordance with current federal, state, and local regulations. I ensured that clinical and operational practices met the highest standards of resident care, safety, and compliance across a 120-resident behavioral health and developmental disabilities organization. I also led the design, implementation, and organization-wide rollout of the Therap electronic health record system, which included mapping workflows, training more than 200 staff members, and providing ongoing support to ensure successful adoption. In addition, I supervised and coached 18 facility managers and 6 QIDPs, conducting site visits, chart audits, management meetings, and one-on-one coaching to ensure consistent quality outcomes. I played a key role in driving culture-building initiatives, staff development, and continuous improvement efforts that strengthened compliance performance and improved overall service quality.
While my time with ESRI there was short... As an Instructor Team Lead, I managed and developed a team of technical instructors responsible for delivering Esri’s GIS software training to customers worldwide. I coached instructors on delivery and presentation skills, conducted performance reviews, and drove the team’s professional growth through targeted development plans. I collaborated closely with product management, sales, and customer success teams to ensure our curriculum stayed aligned with customer needs, new product releases, and Esri’s strategic priorities. My focus was consistently on maintaining the highest standards of instruction while helping my team exceed customer satisfaction and engagement metrics. Core responsibilities: Team leadership: Coach and mentor a team of instructors, manage their performance, and support their professional growth through feedback and development opportunities. Instructional management: Oversee training programs, develop and deliver high-quality instruction, and ensure content aligns with customer needs and best practices. Customer engagement: Work with customers to understand their goals, provide guidance on GIS implementation, and ensure they can effectively use Esri software to meet their business needs. Content and strategy: Collaborate with content development teams to create engaging materials and help drive the adoption of ArcGIS across different industries. Operational oversight: Manage team tasks, prioritize work, and provide status updates on projects. Assist in identifying technical requirements for contracts and working with vendors
Directed the design, implementation, and ongoing leadership of a comprehensive Quality Assurance and Compliance program for a 120-resident behavioral health and developmental disabilities provider. Ensured full adherence to all applicable federal (CMS, Medicaid), state, and local regulations, as well as internal policies, with the goal of delivering the highest standard of resident care, safety, and clinical outcomes. Spearheaded the successful enterprise-wide rollout of a new electronic health record (EHR) system (Therap). Led system selection, workflow design, data migration, and customization to meet regulatory and operational needs. Developed and delivered organization-wide training for 200+ clinical, administrative, and direct-support staff, and established ongoing super-user support structures, resulting in seamless adoption and sustained compliance. Managed and mentored a senior leadership team of 18 facility managers and 6 Qualified Intellectual Disability Professionals (QIDPs). Drove clinical and operational excellence through regular site visits, comprehensive chart audits, targeted one-on-one coaching, and structured monthly management meetings focused on measurable outcomes, incident trends, and continuous improvement. Championed a company-wide culture initiative focused on positive staff engagement and team performance. Designed and facilitated team-building programs, recognition events, and leadership development activities that significantly improved employee morale, reduced turnover, and fostered an environment of accountability and excellence. Consistently maintained exceptional survey results and positioned the organization as a top-performing provider in quality metrics and regulatory compliance.
In early 2013, my brother and I opened The District Vapor Lounge & Bar in a historic 1920s building in the heart of downtown Redlands’ vibrant State Street district. We transformed the space into the area’s first upscale vape-friendly craft cocktail lounge featuring premium spirits, house-made mixology, live music, and weekly DJs. Within months it became the undisputed “go-to” destination for nightlife in the Inland Empire. As Operating Partner for six years, my primary responsibilities included: Secured all city permits, ABC Type-48 liquor license, conditional use permits, live-entertainment approvals, and historic-district variances required to operate in downtown Redlands. Negotiated and managed ongoing relationships with the City of Redlands Planning, Building & Safety, Police, and Fire departments. Led vendor contract negotiations (liquor, beer, wine, sound/lighting, POS, security, janitorial) and consistently improved pricing and terms year-over-year. Collaborated with architects and contractors on the complete interior build-out while preserving original architectural details and meeting strict historic-preservation guidelines. Directed all human resources functions: recruiting, hiring, training, payroll, scheduling, benefits, employee handbook, and labor-law compliance for a team of 12 to 15. Oversaw accounts payable, cash-flow management, weekly P&L reviews, and cost controls that kept the operation profitable while funding phased remodels and equipment upgrades. Prioritized exceptional guest experience – regularly working the floor, handling VIP relations, resolving issues on the spot, and cultivating a loyal customer base of locals, influencers, and corporate groups. Under our leadership The District achieved consistent year-over-year revenue growth, expanded capacity and operating hours, added a late-night dance component, and earned multiple “Best of the Inland Empire” awards for cocktails, nightlife, and live entertainment.