Side Car Interviews

Track and follow our Side Car series devoted to Seattle's biggest influencers as they answer questions related to brands, campaigns and themselves. To learn more about these amazing thought leaders, we invite you to check back every Thursday.

John Howie ~
Owner/Chef, John Howie Restaurant Group
John Howie Steak, Seastar Restaurant, Sport Restaurant

1. What do you love about your company's/organization's brand?

   I like the fact that we are chef driven and offer a quality product. We sell fresh and unique, which even goes beyond the food to include interesting beverage options that one can’t simply find just anywhere. Sourcing the very best quality products available is a great stance to take in the restaurant business. I also appreciate the fact that our goal is simple: giving our patrons a really great experience.
   

2. What aspirations do you have for the future of your brand?

   As we grow the John Howie Restaurant Group, I want to have our brand be recognized for outstanding quality. So when people think of our company or one of our restaurants, our brand is synonymous with the very best quality food, service and beverage wrapped up in a complete hospitality experience.
   
   

3. Do you see campaigns that inspire or disappoint you?

   I have lots of respect for campaigns that utilize humor and are funny – such as the new Bud Light – too light, too heavy spots, or the eTrade babies. The ones that disappoint are generally more difficult to recall and I look at them and wonder how they’ll ever work and sadly, they generally don’t.
   
   
   

4. If you weren't doing what you do now for a living, what is it you would like to be doing?

   I would probably be managing people in some way… I love to see people grow and develop utilizing better systems and tools. The payoff is seeing the look in someone’s eyes when they ‘get it’ OR I would have loved being a sports analyst or reporter.
   
   

5. Where is your favorite local spot to take out-of-town guests?

   Usually to one of my restaurants… or Pike Place Market, or even Snoqualmie Falls.
   
   

6. If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
   

   Most likely a cookbook…but I might have some good insight on management and I am so involved in youth sports that maybe a book on youth baseball.
   

   
   

Thank you for taking the time to read our interview with John Howie – Chef/Owner, John Howie Steak, Seastar Restaurant, Sport Restaurant

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For other interviews, follow the links below:

Interview with Mike Mondello – President & CEO, SeaBear Company/Made In Washington

Interview with Katherine Kertzman – Program Director, Seattle Southside Visitors Services

Interview with Kevin Clark – CEO/President, Argosy Cruises

Interview with Chris Rivera – President, Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Assoc.

Interview with Tammy Blount – President & CEO, Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau.

Interview with Ray Heacox ~ President and GM, Belo Seattle

Interview with Jim Tune ~ President & CEO, ArtsFund.

Interview with Barry McConnel ~ CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Interview with Emory Thomas ~ Publisher, Puget Sound Business Journal.