Behind the Review

Join host Emily Washcovick as she explores the success behind Black Serum Tattoo with owner Brücius Zylander. In this episode, Brücius shares key takeaways on running a small business: refer clients elsewhere if you don’t offer the service they need, create an atmosphere that reflects your mission and values, and ensure your business mirrors the diversity of your community. Learn how great custome...

Nature’s Friends Landscaping isn’t just transforming gardens – it’s revolutionizing local landscaping services. Founded by Cliff Bressler, this business brings expertise and personalized care to every project. Nature’s Friends Landscaping caters to homeowners, offering a range of services from tree work to complete garden makeovers. Loyal customer and Yelp Elite Liz S. also shares how Cliff’s reli...

In this episode, Emily Washcovick chats with Rosanne, general manager of Think Greek. From originating as a food truck, to winning the South Beach Wine and Food Fest and the title of the Best Bite in Town, Rosanne shares how innovation and creativity have set Think Greek apart. Learn about their journey to being featured on Food Network’s Best Bite in Town, and get insights on embracing opportunit...

Host Emily Washcovick sits down with Vincent Berretta, co-owner of Tres Lecheria, to discuss their journey from a small bakery to a wholesale supplier for grocery chains. Vincent shares valuable lessons on budgeting, funding, and scaling a business, emphasizing the importance of financial strength for stability and growth. Discover how Tres Lecheria navigated challenges, pivoted during the pandemi...

Host Emily Washcovick kicks off Season 3 with a recap of her favorite themes and takeaways from the last 50 episodes. Discover insights from business owners and customers on creating exceptional experiences, the importance of engaging with Yelp, and how to leverage reviews for growth. Tune in for practical advice and inspiring stories from diverse businesses, and get a sneak peek at what’s coming...

Steve's Auto Care in Novato, CA, is more than just a repair shop; it's a testament to honesty and quality in the auto service industry. For years, owner Steve Lite has cultivated a reputation not only for expert vehicle repairs but also a community-focused approach that prioritizes genuine service over quick profits. Yelp reviewer Christine P shares how trust and integrity won her business, and ma...

City Tree Delivery isn’t just providing holiday cheer with Christmas trees. It’s a service revolutionizing the way busy urban dwellers decorate for the season. Founded by Chris Hohenstein, this business caters to convenience, delivering not only trees but also a full holiday spirit directly to your door, with special features like installation, decoration, and pick-up. Customer Ojus, a Yelp Elite,...

It should come as no surprise that a restaurant called Tattooed Mom is as eclectic as the name implies. Open for 27 years in Philadelphia, Tattooed Mom serves great food for everyone — omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Owner Robert Perry has built a community-first space by holding as many local events as he can for local activist and creative groups, hosting art shows, poetry nights, all...

Powell's City of Books is no mere bookstore; it's an institution, community, and treasure for bibliophiles. This literary haven offers new, used, and rare finds that beckon readers from every corner of the globe. Store Manager Bry Hoag helped Powell's flourish into a cultural icon with its unique blend of history, sustainability, and unwavering commitment to the written word. Yelp Elite reviewer C...

Bonnie Mauldin has been hustling since she was a kid. At eight years old, she was knocking on doors offering to shovel driveways. After graduation, she entered the medical field, but quickly discovered it was not for her. Now, Bonnie owns two successful businesses, The Mauldin Group and Mauldin Production Company. Having learned a lot along the way, Bonnie shares her tips on changing careers, side...

Erica Spitzley and Cassie Tucker are crazy about two things: marketing and happy hour. So when one happy hour turned into a four-hour conversation about the best and brightest marketing ideas, they knew they had to build a bigger table, so to speak. They created the Marketing Happy Hour podcast, where they have built a community of some of the best minds in marketing to share insights and strategi...

Chef Priyanka Naik took a very non-traditional route to success as a Food Network Champion. When culinary school didn’t align with her vegetarian upbringing, she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing her dreams of cooking on TV. Instead, she took a tech job to support her while working on becoming the best vegan chef she could. Her tireless self-promotion and not taking no for an answer landed he...

Alessandro Farruggio and his family, owners of Il Canale in Washington D.C., are experts in the pizza business. Since Alessandro’s father immigrated from Italy in the 1970s, the family has been serving authentic Italian recipes in the D.C. area. Their delicious food, consistent customer engagement, and knack for adaptability has earned them recognition on three Yelp Top 100 lists since 2022. Revie...

Tea and Milk owner Mathew Wong has gone to great lengths to create the best bubble tea possible, traveling as far as Japan to research and source his tea. He uses only the highest quality ingredients in all of his products, but found that they weren’t always popular with customers, who had grown used to inferior ingredients. In order to expand, Wong first had to educate himself, his team, and his...

It takes a village to raise a small business, as any entrepreneur will tell you. It sounds like a solo act, but the more advocates in a business’s corner, the more likely their success. This week Emily sits down with three of Yelp’s community managers to talk about their roles and what they can do to help make a small business successful — everything from making connections in the community, hosti...

Crystal Peterson, owner of Yo’ Mama’s, has kept service at the forefront of her strategy from day 1. Located in downtown Birmingham, the family-run comfort food restaurant targets the city’s busy visitors and workers during lunch hour with quick and friendly counter service. Reviewer Delia S. shares how her first experience in Yo’ Mama’s welcoming community space made the restaurant a staple in he...

Nirvana Soul in San Jose isn’t your ordinary coffee shop. It’s loud, vivacious, and encourages community expression, whether in their regular open-mic nights or the colorful art on the walls. Sisters and co-owners Jeronica and Be’Anka created their coffee shop to serve up unique flavors like the White Rose Latte and a Hazelnut Mocha. But the more important mission is to combat one of the big epide...

Lisa and Miguel Segura, owners of Miguel’s Artisan Recipes, always have an open seat at their table. The couple has spent the last three years finding new ways to share their jarred salsas and fresh Mexican recipes with their community. What started as pandemic deliveries to their circle of friends turned into a full-fledged brick-and-mortar operation in Clovis, CA. Yelp user and Community Directo...

In ep. 8 of the “Biz Bites'' series, we talk about how to get reviews without asking. An important part of managing your online reputation, especially on Yelp. From providing memorable experiences, responding to reviews publicly, and making the most of Yelp’s free features, this episode breaks down 5 things businesses can do to encourage customers to share their experiences in a review. We also di...

Located in Humble, TX, Fall Creek Farmers Market is the perfect place to pick up produce and fresh foods while learning more about sustainable agriculture. Jonathan and Andrea, the husband-and-wife duo behind the market, integrate integrity and education about sustainable farming and the importance of food quality into everything they do. Reviewer Forest shares what stood out during his visits to...

Most people open their own business with a solid plan and a firm idea of what that business offers. Tomeka Wallace opened Happy Cafe with exactly that, but her ability to learn as she goes, pivot when needed, and “just roll with it,” as she says, led to many changes to her menu and her operating hours. Listening to her customers and reviewers gave her new ideas, has expanded her offerings, and is...

Sundae Scoop is an ice cream shop and community gathering place in Virginia Beach. Sibs and Philip Harrell opened the doors in 2021, bringing diverse flavors, and a fun environment for people to come together and try something new. Yelp Elite Aneesa P shares her first time at the business and what was so memorable about the entire experience. She drove pretty far to enjoy some ice cream, but the S...

In ep. 7 of the “Biz Bites'' series, we celebrate Black History Month and discuss identity marketing. Consumers want to connect with the businesses they support, and sharing your story and identity as the business owner is a way to create deeper connections - particularly when relevant to your business and offerings. Learn about ways to leverage heritage months and other times of celebration that...

James Beard Award-winning Chef JJ Johnson knows that the best things in life start simply, so he built his restaurant around one of life’s basic grains—rice. He then took his clean and healthy cooking to unlikely neighborhoods to make sure everyone has access to healthy and affordable food. That great tasting food plus data gathering and studying his customer base turned into a recipe for success....

Located in a strip mall in a Minnesota suburb, MT Noodles has become a local favorite. Justin and the team at MT Noodles integrate their Vietnamese heritage into everything they do, making sure that all customers can find homemade dishes that they will enjoy, regardless of whether or not they’ve tried Vietnamese dishes before. Hear how the staff maintains their founding mission of serving fresh an...