On Monday, November 2, 2026, the Daviess County CEO Cohort made a stop at Punch Bowl Social in Indianapolis between their visit to Gainbridge Fieldhouse and the evening's Indiana Pacers game. What initially served as a place for the group to spend some time turned into another valuable learning opportunity when they had the pleasure of meeting Kenny Schultz, Restaurant Manager at Punch Bowl Social.
Kenny welcomed the students and shared his experiences and insights into managing a family entertainment establishment. With its combination of dining, games, and social activities, Punch Bowl Social offers a unique business model that requires careful planning, organization, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment.
Kenny emphasized that successful management begins with time management and planning ahead. In a busy downtown location, knowing what events are happening throughout the city can make a tremendous difference in preparing for customer traffic and staffing needs. Staying organized and anticipating challenges before they happen are essential to keeping daily operations running smoothly.
He also gave students a glimpse into the responsibilities of both the front and back of the house. From customer service and food service to kitchen operations and behind-the-scenes responsibilities, every position plays an important role in creating a positive customer experience. He pointed out that waiters and waitresses need strong soft skills, including communication, patience, teamwork, and the ability to connect with customers.
Some of Kenny's other important points of emphasis included:
** Be a self-starter: Don't wait for someone to tell you what needs to be done. Take initiative and push yourself to get things accomplished.
** Street-level marketing: Connect with people in the community and find creative ways to attract customers.
** Roll with the punches: Unexpected situations are part of running a business. Learn to adjust, stay positive, and keep moving forward.
** Empower your employees: Allow others to take responsibility for their jobs and give them the ability to accomplish their tasks.
** Preventative maintenance: Take care of equipment before problems arise. Knowing when to repair versus replace equipment is an important business decision, especially in an operation that relies on equipment and moving parts.
** Manage stress: Find a healthy outlet for stress and recognize the importance of maintaining balance while handling the demands of a busy career.
One of the biggest takeaways for students was understanding just how many moving pieces are involved in operating an entertainment and restaurant business. Success requires more than providing good food or a fun atmosphere. It takes preparation, dependable employees, strong leadership, customer awareness, and the ability to solve problems as they arise.
The Daviess County CEO Cohort would like to extend a sincere thank-you to Kenny for taking time out of his busy schedule to welcome our students and share his career experiences. His willingness to offer an honest look at the challenges and responsibilities of managing an entertainment establishment provided another excellent opportunity for our future entrepreneurs to learn beyond the classroom.
