Meet Dimitri Parker | Restaurant Bar and Lounge Owner

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

Hi Dimitri, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always knew I wanted to be in busienss for myself even in my younger years. I just didn’t know how or what. I also knew I wanted to be able to provide jobs for people in my community. Especially the people that don’t always get the same fair shake as others in the job market. Once I committed myself into making that leap, it was no stopping me or turning me back. My mind was set!

What should our readers know about your business?
I am the owner of two Restaruant lounges located in Charlotte and in Fayetteville NC named Cru. Cru is a franchise based out of Atlanta that specializes in hand crafted cocktails , small plate chef inspired tapas and exotic Hookah smoke. I began my journey with this franchise in 2020. You can imagine the difficulty I faced being that we was in a pandemic that caused a big percentage of businesses in my same field to fail. The world was pretty much shut down but not my desire to finally break through with my entrepreneurship journey. The timing couldn’t of been more questionable but then again is it ever the right time to quit your job and go into busienss for yourself? What makes this more interesting is that I was on the other side in my last job as a environmental health specialist who dealt with restaurants and the unforeseen closures of them due to the nature of the pandemic through that time. So I seen first hand prior to starting my busienss of how gloomy it could get.

I believe what sets me apart from others is my ability to process information , adapt , pivot and take risk. I don’t like to think I do anything out of the ordinary besides work as hard as I can as often as I can. My work ethic is second to none and I don’t rest until I get the job done. I’m not scared to fail. I’m more afraid of looking myself in the mirror and wondering “what if”. That’s the biggest fear and regret I could ever have. Not knowing my outcome because I simply didn’t even attempt to try it.

This journey is the most challenging thing I’ve ever done. Opening in a pandemic, being told by your employer that to pursuit such a dream in the Restaruant field, you will have to quit your current role that I just got promoted in while watching what I was pursuing dwindle down to a shell of itself as a market. You would have to say I was crazy knowing all that and still pushing the gas to go forward. I actually didn’t tell anyone in the beginning purposely so I didn’t have to worry about them putting their fears and doubts on me so I can commit and go through with this journey without doubt or more nervousness than i already had.

The lessons I learned from this is it’s never going to be a perfect time unless you create the perfect time when the right opportunity meet itself. Get started with the ideas you think about all day and if you’re serious about changing your life , then put in the work until you see your life change. If you want a handout or think it’s cookies and cream as being an entrepreneur , don’t bother wasting your time or anybody else time. This requires long hours, stressful nights and sometimes empty bank accounts until it all clicks.

I’ll be lying if I said I foreseen me being successful so early in my career as an owner but I wouldn’t say I was surprised because I envisioned me being successful all my life from the result of working for myself. I just finally jumped off the porch and put my theory to test.

If you can take anything from my journey. Understand that you have to be fully vested and locked in on the type of life you see for yourself and your family. No matter the circumstance or challenge waiting on you. . I am a firm believer that your hustle determines your salary. If I got health, and ability then you shouldn’t waste it. You should use it to change your life forever !

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well the first place I’ll take this is Cru duh lol but seriously :

Food – Bricktops in South Park. Absolutely amazing.

Drinks – on the roof top of merchant and trade,

Hookah at Cru Charlotte

A nice walk or bike ride at Freedom Park

Custards at Rita’s

Roam the streets of south End uptown, Noda or the Plaza

Breakfast at Midnight Diner

A Panthers or Hornets game for sure

A nice boat ride on Lake Norman or Lake Wylie

Shopping for Gear in South Park Mall(We need more clothing and retail stores).

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and for most my Mother for showing me a strong work ethic throughout my youth and for always believing in me. She never quit and always did what needed to be done to provide for her family.

The absence of my father. I wanted him regret missing out on someone who was going to be great.

My late Grandmother. She built a determined mindset in me at a young age and that propels me through my day to day challenges to this day. .

I’ll like to think some of my closest friends (they know who they are) for encouragement and positive affirmations.

The mother of my child who also seen the potential and assisted me with my first breakout entrepreneurship chess move.

The Book the 48 Laws of Power for the perception of what discipline looks like in written form.

Last but not least my son. He gave me a new since of purpose , motivation, responsibility and patience.

Instagram: @crucharlotte @crufayetteville

Image Credits
Yours truly