ABOUT THE BOOK

As a 23 year old, Anne Shadle got into the restaurant business by accident when her sister suggested she help her boyfriend, a chef, open a new restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky. In the same moment, Shadle had decided to quit her nurse’s aide job and so, without an informed thought, she dove head first into this low-margin, high-turnover, high-stress, high-fail rate industry. And 20 years later, she’s still here.

The life of a small business owner is lonely with high external expectations, non-stop pressure and no direct feedback. Anne is sharing her stories – albeit painful and embarrassing but also hopeful – in an effort to connect with other business owners and leaders in an authentic, soul-bearing way.

Business for Witches is her biz-oir, business memoir, and in it, she shares both technical business lessons (left brain solutions) and emotional/spiritual insights (right brain energy) that she has gained along the journey as an independent restaurant owner. It is in the integration of these two bodies of thought that she has found the most meaning.

Witches of the past were women who were also straddling this same divide between left and right brain learning. They had technical expertise- delivering babies, healing diseases, managing land and property and money at a time when many women hadn’t been exposed to this. And they had spiritual depth. Witches have had a direct line to the divine, and their prayers have always been potent. They have woven together technical knowledge with spiritual insight in a way that many groups of people don’t do.

By understanding the true history of witches, rather than the one where we were taught to fear the word witch, we can reclaim their stories and embrace their truth. The journey to becoming an enlightened business owner is much the same as that of a witch, hence why business IS for witches.

• Restaurateurs: If you own your own restaurant and are looking to solidify your foundation or even expand your business, this book will be your well-worn, dog-eared guide book. Not only will it help you improve your operating systems, it will also show you a path to finding greater meaning inside your business.

• Small business owners: The lessons in this book are industry agnostic, so regardless of what your product or service is, you will find tools and tips to improving how your business runs. If you’re ready to grow your confidence, listen to your intuition and become a transformed entrepreneur, pick up a copy today.

• Restaurant managers: Managing a restaurant can be tiring, thankless work. But, if you can build a team that is steady, stable and well-trained, the work feels different. Read this book to develop strategies to find meaning and enjoyment in your work. Plus, you'll get a few industry laughs here and there!

• Leaders in other industries: To be a great leader means that you need to have the capacity to give to and receive from those around you everyday. This requires investing in yourself personally so your core needs are met and you have excess energy to share. Read this book to develop strategies both technically and emotionally to become the leader you’ve dreamed of being.