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On Monday, March 23 from 1:30-2:30 pm at the 2026 Bar & Restaurant Expo, we'll be answering the question: What does it take to build a successful bar business as a woman owner—and how do you create experiences that keep female guests coming back?
Our session, "How Women Bar Owners Attract and Retain Female Guests," will be moderated by Angela Wright, owner/operator of Wright Hospitality (who we covered in a previous Take Five!) and features panelists Claire Watson, co-owner, The Savoy, and Dana Taucher, owner, Syndicate Ferndale.
We caught up with Dana Taucher to learn more about her ahead of the show!
What's your pre-service or pre-shift ritual?
Music up and dim the lights. A quick walk through of the room to make sure it feels how I want it to feel. I'll taste something behind the bar, fix one tiny detail no one else would notice, and then gather my team to remind them: We're not just serving food and drinks, we're creating a memory. Lip gloss on, game face, let's go!
What keeps you up at night?
Big vision. Bigger impact. How do we make the experience even more unforgettable? How do we take care of our team better? How do we keep pushing creative boundaries while staying sustainable? Also menu ideas hit me at 1:47 am like they're on payroll.
What are you currently reading?
A mix of business strategy, leadership, and personal growth. I am always dicing into something that sharpens my edge, whether that's scaling operations, brand psychology, or mindset work. If I'm not building a restaurant then I'm building myself. Right now I am reading The Soul of Money & Finish Big; these tie into our relationship with money and how to exit your business on top!
What's a skill you're currently trying to learn?
Letting go, strategically. Scaling requires trust, systems, and stepping out of the weeds. I'm learning how to grow without gripping everything so tightly. Leadership at the next level means empowering others to own their own brilliance too.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
"Build the table you wish existed," and so that's what I do. A space where community matters. Where philanthropy isn't an add on, its a pillar. Where art, music, food, and people collide in the best way. Where the vibe is intentional and the standards are high. If you cant find opportunity, create it.
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