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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.
WHO WAS YOUR MENTOR? Aby: I don't know as I would say a mentor for the restaurant business specifically, but rather a role model for business leadership, my parents, Jeff and Sharon Johnson. They have owned their own businesses (car dealerships) for over 20 years. I grew up witnessing how hard they worked to provide a great childhood for my brother, sister and me.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?
Aby: Play with the kids. Blake: Golf, go to the movies.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST CAREER ACHIEVEMENT? Owning our own business.
WHAT'S THE BEST CAREER ADVICE ANYONE HAS GIVEN YOU? Aby: "Don't take any wooden nickels." Blake: Stay true to who you are; be consistent.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS TRYING TO ENTER THIS FIELD? You must have someone you trust in the back of the house (running the kitchen), as well as in the front of the house. Every little thing costs money, and you need to have a highly trusted person always on the premise, watching over your investment. The hours are long, it's hard work. It's much more than having a neat place to serve food and drinks to your friends.
WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS? To gain more critical recognition for the restaurant. To potentially expand into a second, more casual concept restaurant.
540/371-9999
--As told to Craig Schulin
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