Meet Dale Donchey | Business

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dale Donchey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dale, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
“I was born in Richmond, Virginia, where I spent most of my childhood. I live in Atlanta, Georgia now, and have for about 20 years. To keep the story short, in my early life, I grew up in a low income household and area, only child raised by a single mother and not many positive examples of opportunities and relationships in general. I’d say that the only real “remarkable” part is that I think my life has turned out to be relatively successful, as an entrepreneur with limited demons. I’ve lost friends and relatives to some of life’s dark spots, have seen what “going through it” can really mean, and fully understand the difference between uncomfortable and unsafe. It’s important to say my background was not without joy. I had baseball, a crazy imagination, a few friends with outstanding parents, a Nintendo, and TV equipped with stolen cable. On top of several key relatives that did help me think beyond the life I sometimes felt I was destined to have given the examples. Much love and thanks is given to my aunt, my nana, and my grandpa; wouldn’t be here without them. They all have an influence in my thoughts on food, beverage, being inviting, service, humor, and dealing with feelings.

As far as my career goes, it was a lot of turning the negative into the positive where possible. I didn’t go to college, but for me, that was no excuse to be uneducated. Not the job you ideally want was no excuse to not work for something. When something is broken, fix it and imagine it better. Boredom only happens when you stop creating. Do more with a little even when you don’t have to. Rest your mind (and with age I learned to also stretch your body) everyday. I’d say the most important thing, which is my favorite part of my work, was showing me how to interact with people. Might say I come from a long line of talkers; be that good or bad. Not noise makers, not blabbers; storytelling word smiths. You sit in enough rooms with those that manifest their words into the only air to breathe, and you realize the art of it. Most people just want to be seen, shown patience, kindness, fairness, and that it’s good to laugh at yourself.

Oh and luck and timing are also important.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
.You get one life and one shot at most opportunities. I’ve always said that the upside of leaving Starbucks is that if I failed I could go back. That was 20 plus years ago. But in order to not fear risk you also have to be stubborn. They very much go hand in hand and I am very much a stubborn cuss

My work is rooted in the belief that you can do more with less, and that people and stories matter most. Coffee, food, and hospitality are just the vehicles, the real mission is creating spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and taken care of. I’ve always believed it doesn’t matter how simple or complex the product is, what sticks is how you felt when you walked in the door, sat down at the counter, or took that first sip.

I’ve been at this for 20+ years as a barista, an over-talker, over-sharer, and storyteller who loves making coffee (or “beverages,” as I like to call them) just as much as I love great food. I want readers to know that what we do is intentional. We’re not trying to be flashy or overcomplicated; we’re trying to be excellent at the fundamentals, to build trust, and to give people a reason to come back.

What drives me is connection. The best part of this business is being the bright spot in someone’s morning, the pause in their busy day, or the place they bring a friend when they want to feel at home. That’s what fuels everything we do, creating moments that last, one story at a time.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d mix in some of my favorite local haunts: a stop at Larakin, a memorable dinner at Staple House, and a drink at Manuel’s Tavern for a dose of true Atlanta history. We’d wrap it up with a satisfying bite at Fred’s Meat & Bread before calling it a night.”

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Larakin, Corner Slice, Kimball House, Staple House, Manuel’s Tavern, and Fred’s Meat & Bread. They represent some of the best of Atlanta’s food and hospitality scene.”

Website: https://www.spillerpark.com, https://www.instagram.com/spillerpark/