The holidays always bring light to giving back. One local CEO does just that and more — all year round. This month’s First Friday Feature is Nick Bayer, head of Saxbys and pundit of philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and social impact.
To highlight just some of his accolades, Nick is currently the Entrepreneur in Residence at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, an adjunct professor at Drexel University, and the Executive in Residence at Temple University Fox School of Business. He serves on the Board of The Franklin Institute, Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, the Community College of Philadelphia, Drexel University Close School of Entrepreneurship and Steinbright Career Development Center. In addition, Nick is a Corporate Council Member for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. In 2017, Nick was deservingly named the “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, as well as EY’s “Social Entrepreneur of the Year.”
We had the opportunity to ask Nick the secret to running a successful business while constantly giving back. And of course, how he does it all while maintaining a solid work/home/life balance.
Philly PR Girl (PPRG): Tell us a little about yourself. What were your interests prior to founding a social impact and coffee company? Did you always envision yourself as an entrepreneur?
Nick Bayer (NB): Ever since I was little, I always wanted to own my own business. While I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart, my desire has always been to use business as a vehicle for good. I wanted to make the world a better place through creating a business with a purpose, empowering our people and leveraging our success for the betterment of others. In 2005, I opened Saxbys, and it was my first foray in the coffee industry. I chose coffee because it is the most inclusive industry from a guest and employment perspective. You can serve and employ any and everyone. I am a people person, and being able to Make Life Better through business is incredibly rewarding.
PPRG: As Saxbys’ mission is to “Make Life Better,” how do you work to fulfill this mission?
NB: That mission is for our team, our guests, and the communities we serve. It’s supported by our core values that our team strives to uphold every day, including:
- We are a Community Serving our Community
- Embrace being O.D.D. (Outgoing, Detail-oriented, and Disciplined)
- Loyalty + Profitability = Growth
- Live with Pride, Passion and Purpose
- Serve Yourself by Serving Others
- Care Personally and Communicate Openly
Saxbys sees itself as an opportunity and education-providing company. We accomplish this through extreme hospitality and exceptional product, guided by our mission and core values.
PPRG: Over the years, you’ve created such a giving and impactful company. Why did you found Saxbys?
NB: I started a business to give back. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the teachers and coaches in my life. They kicked me in the butt, kept me from feeling sorry for myself, and worked as hard as I did, so I could create a great future for myself. I wanted to start a business so I could provide those opportunities for others. Ultimately, there’s no better personal or professional feeling than doing something for somebody else and I thought it would be amazing to create a business out of that. Furthermore, in the modern economy, if you want to attract talent and consumers, your brand better stand for something far greater than simply making money for a small group of people. It’s simply good business to give back.
PPRG: As the host of INC 5000’s Philadelphia 2018 celebration of fastest-growing private companies in America, what has been the biggest contributor to the company’s growth?
NB: Our people are our greatest resources, hands down. They push us to be better, to make life better for our guests, and the community as a whole. Our Experiential Learning Program (which brings exclusively student-run cafes to college campuses) has also helped us grow exponentially. These undergraduate students control all of the operations of running a Saxbys cafe. They are running our three guiding pillars for the program: Team Development to Community Leadership, and Financial Management. Earning wages and full college credit simultaneously while managing a team of up to 100 of their peers— it’s no small feat.
PPRG: That sounds amazing for young students! Congrats on just launching your eighth cafe in the program at St. Joseph’s University. What inspired you to first start this leadership initiative?
NB: Thank you. It’s been a wild, and really rewarding, journey. I recently penned an article on my LinkedIn on this exact topic because this question came up with friends and colleagues so much. You can read it here.
PPRG: What does your typical day look like? How do you manage to accomplish your day-to-day tasks plus find some “down” time?
NB: Every day is deeply committed to business, family, and philanthropy. On the business front, I frequently visit our cafes to check in with team members and talk to guests. I also spend a lot of time in the classroom of our university partners. There, I share my experiences with entrepreneurship, culture, and social impact.
On a personal note, I get to walk my son, Luke, to school every morning. It’s amazing bonding time for us to experience the city together, talk about our days, and daydream. Before that, I invest heavily in my own personal well-being through 6 a.m. Each day includes pilates, eating well, getting enough sleep, and of course, drinking amazing (Saxbys) coffee. There’s never a dull moment, as my wife is also an entrepreneur. We live 24/7/365 days together, but our lives are what we’ve always dreamed them to be.
PPRG: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve discovered about being a CEO? What advice do you have for young or new entrepreneurs?
NB: People who get far in life prioritize taking care of others. At Saxbys, we call it “Serve Yourself by Serving Others.” Humans are wired to inherently act in their own self-interest; however, we truly believe that you’ll personally get so much more out of your efforts if they are first directed in the interest of others. We’ve built a business predicated on this philosophy. In addition, CEOs need to be consistent and available. Today’s workforce doesn’t want to follow a leader who operates out of an ivory tower. Lastly, identify the thing (industry, impact, role, etc.) that makes your heart race. Then, rally around that. If your heart isn’t fully in it, you won’t make the difference you’re capable of making.
PPRG: Your company’s HQ at 2300 Chestnut is such a beautiful space! Share with us why you moved your HQ from Broomall, PA to Center City, Philadelphia.
NB: We wanted the Saxbys headquarters to be centrally located in Center City to make hiring, training, and development more seamless for our team. Now, we also utilize our office to host events for mission-aligned non-profits and young professionals. The open space creates a collaborative environment for our team and allows us to proudly display our charity partnerships. They’re located near the entrance along with our mission and core values on a 40-foot wall. That all rests on top of a hand-painted mural designed by Drexel University students.
PPRG: It’s clear Saxbys is so much more than just somewhere to grab a cup of joe. What are some upcoming exciting initiatives we can look forward to?
NB: We are partnered with Keith Leaphart’s latest initiative called Philanthropos – The Giving Company. Launched in Philadelphia, this organization is dedicated to connecting people to causes by highlighting, acknowledging, and rewarding the spirit of philanthropy in all of us. They strive to help individuals understand the impact their actions. For instance, how donations affect the lives of others, their social circles, and their communities. Right now, guests can round up the change on their Saxbys bill to benefit non-profit causes that our team believes in. Another initiative is expanding our pioneering Experiential Learning Program in 2019. More locations are coming to undergrad campuses. We look forward to sharing more on that soon. Lastly, keep an eye out for an exciting new product-centric facility we will be debuting in 2019. Expect some huge menu innovations coming at Saxbys!
PPRG: What’s the question nobody asks you but you wish they would?
NB: I wish more people knew how many talented women are at the helm of Saxbys. Among our 700 team members, 75% are female, and 75% make up our leadership team.
PPRG: Where are your go-to spots in or around Philadelphia (besides Saxbys, of course)?
NB: I’m a creature of habit and spend a lot of time in Rittenhouse, which is close to the office and my wife’s pilates studio. I start pretty much every morning at Thrive Pilates before my son wakes up. I love the warmth of the studio, the expertise of the instructors, and the challenges of the workout. Probably not surprisingly, I prioritize hospitality alongside the quality of the product; therefore, my absolute favorite places are Vernick, Parc, and Zahav. All these restaurants are rightfully iconic Philadelphia institutions. I also really like Lululemon, the clothes are great and the team at the Walnut Street store always take great care of me.
To connect with Nick Bayer, follow him on Instagram and Twitter. To keep up with Saxbys and discover new ways to give back to the community, together, follow the cafe on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
