Nathen Doyle fell in love with hospitality accidentally. Originally pursuing pathways in education and acting, Doyle made a crust working in cafes during his studies – and it wasn’t long until he realised a new path. 20 years later, Doyle has three venues in his folio, Heart Attack & Vine, Sunhands and the just-opened Residence at the Potter. Each is unique in their own right yet each share the same ethos: fostering a community and integrating into the community alike.
Here’s Doyle with the download:
How did you get your start?
I have worked across a range of different hospitality venues but I would say that I got my real break while working at Wide Open Road in 2011. Jono Hill and Hootan Heydari offered me a share in a new venue they wanted to launch, this venue was Heartattack & Vine and we opened in 2014.
What do you think it is about your venues that has gained traction in Victoria?
We focus on quality product and genuine hospitality. Our goal is to create approachable and refined venues that have a individual sense of identity.
Is there any other special sauce to what you do?
We hire nice people first. You can teach people anything except how to be a nice person.
Any regrets?
No regrets. Everything challenge is just an opportunity to be better than you were yesterday.
What about the big lessons learned?
You are not good at everything, in fact if you’re honest with yourself you’re probably only really good at a few things. Learning to let go of control and bringing others in to your team has been the key to our growth and success.
What’s been the key to scaling up successfully for you?
Great teams, solid systems and a clear vision. It’s so important for people to feel like they are working towards something beyond the day to day grind and that they are a part of a bigger vision. Once you have that and you can relinquish control to people to manage their parts of the vision and the glass ceilings start to disappear.
Any tips on building a great team and workplace culture?
Understand that everyone is living their own human experience and everyone is at different stages of life. Our goal is to establish where people are at and where to position them so they can succeed. We also need to give them enough room above them to grow into. Patience and good communication goes a long way.
You hear some operators and punters concerned that groups are starting to dominate hospitality in Australia. What’s your take on that?
This is business. There is something to learn from people who are doing well. That being said I think that if we let the industry become a monoculture we lose what makes Melbourne hospitality beautiful. The best way to keep it diverse is to support smaller owner operated venues. The market drives success so remember to continue to support your local.
Times are tough right now. How are you adapting?
When the market shifts you need to shift with it. Approachability, value and price point are the three main factors we are looking into at the moment. How do you provide affordability and value without compromising on quality and brand vision. Looking at your offering and finding ways that give your clientele access points at more affordable level.
Any advice for other operators who are hurting?
Find efficiencies anywhere you can. Sometimes it’s about a small investment into something that gives you larger efficiency. These investments can reduce wage costs and increase capacity for when you are busy.
Who do you look to in Victoria for inspiration? Which venues and people set the bar for you?
I look at both the big groups for inspiration around systems, consistency and brand development Andrew McConnell and the Trader House group are the group that I look at often. I also look to the smaller owner operated venues for innovation and inspiration, places like Caretaker’s Cottage, Florian and La Pinta.
Best case scenario, how do you want people to think about what you do?
I want Agree to Agree Group to be viewed as a pioneer in the hospitality industry that is invested in the positive growth of its people and identity.
Heartattack & Vine, 329 Lygon St, Carlton, heartattackandvine.com.au/suupaa.au, @heartattackandvinebar; Sunhands, 169 Elgin St, Carlton, sunhands.com.au, @sunhands.sunhands; Residence at the Potter, 815 Swanston St, Parkville, residenceatthepotter.com.au, @residenceatthepotter