Our guest Cameron Long, the Co-Founder / CRO of Virnika, joins Vince Beese, the Founder at Sales HQ to discuss his journey from a background in hospitality and music therapy to co-founding a restaurant tech startup. Cameron shares insights on sales, leadership, and the evolving role of technology in the restaurant industry.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Mentorship is Key to Growth
   • Cameron stresses the importance of seeking great mentors.
   • Mentors guide you by pushing you to go beyond your comfort zone.
   • You have to put in the work for mentorship to be effective.
2. Empathy in Leadership
   • Empathy means truly understanding others' perspectives without your own biases.
   • Being an empathetic leader helps guide team members effectively.
   • Cameron believes few people actually practice deep empathy.
3. Embrace Discomfort
   • Growth comes from taking risks and facing discomfort.
   • Cameron emphasizes how trying new things can lead to personal and professional development.
   • Whether it’s starting a business or learning a new skill, discomfort is necessary for growth.
4. Sales is About Relationships
   • Cameron values building long-term relationships with clients, not just one-time sales.
   • Empathy plays a major role in understanding and meeting clients' needs.
   • Being a trusted advisor to clients is key to long-term success.
5. The Role of Technology in Hospitality
   • Cameron’s startup, Virnika, uses AI to improve customer experiences in restaurants.
   • By removing friction in ordering processes, they aim to enhance efficiency.
   • The tech reflects a broader industry trend toward automation and customer convenience.