Let’s Get Personal
Mary Carmichael
Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Mary found her passion for hospitality early on, working for a local catering company while still in high school. With a natural love for people and an eye for detail, what started as a part-time job quickly grew into a lifelong pursuit. She moved from a small brewery to an upscale Italian restaurant, steadily building her skills and deepening her appreciation for creating memorable guest experiences.
After relocating to Florida, Mary entered the world of fine dining at a Four Diamond restaurant in Ponte Vedra. She later moved to Tampa, where she spent several years at a nationally acclaimed, award-winning restaurant, an experience that sharpened her service instincts and leadership style.
Driven, thoughtful, and people-first by nature, Mary credits much of her professional growth to the mentorship and collaboration of Thiago and Justin, who were once her coworkers, but are now her trusted business partners.
Thiago Costa
Thiago’s journey began in Brazil, where his ambition to create a better life brought him to the United States over 20 years ago. From the moment he landed in Boston, he gave 110% to everything he did. He studied English at Harvard while juggling multiple jobs to lay the foundation for his future.
Thiago eventually found his calling in the hospitality industry, where he quickly rose through the ranks. Within just a few years, he went from a server assistant to helping open some of the top restaurants in Boston and Las Vegas. Known for his creativity, efficiency, and relentless drive, Thiago has built strong relationships with industry professionals across the country.
Although he was invited to join restaurant leadership many times, he remained in service by choice, believing that’s where he could make the greatest impact. Today, his mission has evolved: to help not just individuals, but entire teams succeed in creating unforgettable moments and lasting memories for their guests.
Justin Egan
Justin was raised in Florida and grew up with values rooted in Southern Hospitality. As soon as he was old enough, he began working at a local steakhouse in Central Florida just to earn a paycheck. Though, he quickly realized he had a natural passion for serving people. That passion stuck with him through college, where he worked at Disney and began to see hospitality as something bigger than a job. It was about creating moments and connecting with people.
Over the next two decades, Justin wore just about every front-of-house hat there is: server, trainer, manager, and even helped open new restaurants across the country. He was known for his energy, his people-first mentality, and his ability to bring out the best in a team. For years, he dreamed of stepping into consulting to help others do the same. When COVID turned the industry upside down, he knew the timing wasn’t right just yet and decided to hold onto the idea until the right opportunity came along.
These days, Justin’s biggest role is being a family man. With a wife and four amazing kids, he made the choice to leave restaurant management so he could be more present at home. But his heart never left hospitality. Teaming up with Mary and Thiago has given him a new way to share what he’s learned, and to help restaurants build better teams, stronger connections, and unforgettable guest experiences.
Your Turn!
You’ve heard our story, what’s yours?