When you think of a restaurant giant like Donnie Madia, it’s hard to picture him doing anything else—it’s why the team at “The Bear” called on him not only to guest star on camera, but also to be an advisor behind the scenes.

What you may not know is that for about a decade before partnering up with his One Off Hospitality team members to open the legendary Blackbird, he was funding his seat at the Chicago Board of Trade with bartending and hospitality gigs. Over time, he realized he was a better fit for the dining room than the trading floor.

Sometimes we need to take our time to build up to our ultimate potentials. And even more so when it’s as big of a risk as starting a business. I feel lucky to be in one of those chapters of life, thinking, “What else would I want to be doing?”

But it did take me about four years in between I left my first startup concept and working on other teams for me to really ask myself what I want, what I like to do, and where I can ultimately make the biggest impact not only on my surrounding community, but on my inner happiness, too.

I heard the gratitude and joy in every one of Donnie’s stories during our conversation, decades of shaping Chicago’s dining landscape to what we know today. But I’m sure he didn’t always feel that way, which makes his journey even more layered.

I am so honored I got to speak to someone as kind and impactful as Donnie, and I know you’ll be equally as inspired.

P.S—I didn’t mention this to Donnie on our call, but this wasn’t our first time meeting. Many moons ago, while his star was only continuing to solidify, I was on set for a photo shoot he was involved in for CS Magazine’s annual “Men of Style” issue. He was just as big of a presence then, and I was giddy to be up bright and early at the newly opened Virgin Hotel Chicago, grabbing his then toddler (now teenaged!) son a croissant and apple juice to snack on while dad stunned in front of the camera. You truly never know where the path can lead!