ABY AND BLAKE BETHEM

The Deal: ABY AND BLAKE BETHEM. BISTRO BETHEM

Date published: 7/28/2010

EDUCATION: Aby: Mary Washington College, Bachelor of Science in business administration. Blake: Johnson & Wales University, Norfolk, Va., Associate of Science in culinary arts

FAMILY: We have two sons: Jacob, age 13, and Parker Jules, age 3.

CAREER HISTORY: Aby: Waited tables locally at The Riverview Restaurant, 1997-1999; general manager at The Riverview Restaurant, 1999-2001; server at Bistro 309, 2001-2002; general manager at Bistro 309, 2002-2004

Blake: United States Marine Corps, 1990-1995; chef, The Riverview Restaurant, 1998-2000; sous chef at Bistro 309, 2000-2002; chef at Bistro 309, 2002-2004

FIRST JOB: Amy: Pizza Hut; Blake: Mark Moseley's Famous Fries

WORST JOB: Aby: Customer service telephone survey person. Blake: Mark Moseley's Famous Fries.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Aby: New Hampshire (until age 14) and then Hillsville, Va. Blake: Dale City.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Aby: A professional Red Sox baseball player until age 9, then a lawyer. Blake: A professional soccer player.

HOW DID YOU END UP OWNING BISTRO BETHEM? We managed Bistro 309 for the previous owners, while always looking and knowing we would own our own restaurant. The opportunity was given to us to purchase Bistro 309, and the rest is history.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DECISION YOU'RE WRESTLING WITH NOW? Whether to expand our business with an additional location.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOUR JOB? Aby: Working holidays. Blake: Listening to so many different opinions.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW? Aby: Every day is different. I never know from day to day who may join us for a meal. Blake: Having the freedom to decide what I want to serve to the public.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Aby: My family. Blake: Passion for food, and being the best.

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO? Aby: You make your own good fortune with hard work and commitment.

Blake: If you find yourself falling behind, work a little harder.

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT THE BUSINESS CLIMATE HERE? The area continues to grow.

1 2 Next Page

NOMINATIONS

To nominate a business owner for The Deal, e-mail: DealMaker@freelancestar.com

Provide a description of the business, how long it's operated, its location, contact information, Web site and why the owner should be featured.

The Free Lance-Star's coverage of area businesses in The Deal does not mean that the newspaper is endorsing any particular business.

Date published: 7/28/2010