In this episode of Restaurant Catering Smarts, Michael Attias welcomes Marianne Jeff, also known as The Get It Done Diva and Founder of the Women’s Business Momentum Center. With over 20 years of experience coaching small business owners, Marianne shares the strategies she used to help Zach’s Catering transform their operations—from clunky systems and chaotic days to streamlined processes and sustainable growth.
They dive deep into the power of habits, planning, and systems, as well as the mindset shifts needed to run a business without burning out. Marianne also opens up about her personal journey to sobriety and how it reshaped her perspective on leadership, productivity, and life.
Whether you’re buried in to-dos or looking to regain control of your catering business, this episode offers real-world insights on how to simplify your day, scale with systems, and enjoy the entrepreneurial journey.
🎙️ Restaurant Catering Smarts is sponsored by CaterZen Catering Software — the tool to turn catering chaos into calm.
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✅ Systematize Everything: Processes—not personalities—create consistency and reduce dependence on key employees.
✅ Start with Clarity: Know what kind of owner you want to be, and build systems that support that lifestyle.
✅ Plan to Win: Daily, weekly, and 90-day planning create momentum and keep your business on track.
✅ Technology is a Game-Changer: Cloud-based systems like CaterZen free you from the phone and streamline operations.
✅ Marketing Can Be Simple: Local, low-cost tactics (like drivers handing out promo cards) can drive meaningful growth.
✅ Your Team is Key: Setting expectations and boundaries is essential for creating a positive, productive work culture.
✅ Mindset Drives Results: A business won’t grow if the owner is stuck in burnout or chaos—habit and headspace matter.
✅ Start Small with Tech: Break big projects into manageable pieces—upload one menu item per day instead of all at once.
✅ Track Follow-Ups: Use built-in CRM features to reconnect with lapsed clients and repeat customers.
✅ Celebrate Small Wins: Whether it’s a big catering order or finishing a project, take time to recognize progress.
🔹 “Processes create profits. Personalities create problems.”
🔹 “When you own your day, you’ve got a fighting chance.”
🔹 “You don’t need to reinvent the wheel—you need a plan you’ll actually follow.”
🔹 “Catering chaos is optional when you’ve got good systems in place.”
🔹 “The software is only part of it. The habit of using it is what makes the magic.”
🔹 “You can’t grow if you’re chained to the phone.”
🔹 “If it’s not written down, it’s not a system—it’s a memory.”
🔹 “Start with what kind of business owner you want to be. The rest flows from there.”
🔹 “Small habits lead to massive results over time.”
🔹 “Sometimes your food sells itself. You just need to remind people you’re here.”
