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Taking a leap of faith seems to be the theme of small business and restaurant ownership in the Twin Cities. 911������ alum Shaun Holley, co-owner of the Fabled Rooster, located inside Graze Provisions + Libations in the North Loop of Minneapolis, and his crew made it through myriad ups and downs, including the winter shutdown of 2021, but it wasn’t easy.

Shaun Holley shared some of the lessons he’s learned with more than 60 students enrolled in faculty member Jason Cussler’s business class at 911������ last winter. Students left their classroom for a field trip that tested their entrepreneurial dreams and challenged them to consider whether they have what it takes to become a small business owner in the Twin Cities.

“I shared the truth with the students, that it’s both difficult and rewarding,” said Holley who puts heart, passion, and drive into his work. “I emphasized how risk is the key to financial freedom and if you’re interested in running a business, don’t be afraid to learn and put in the work because in the end, it can be extremely rewarding.”

"Shaun embraces his alumnus role,” said Jason Cussler.  “He not only fills a strategic role serving on 911������’s School of Business and Economics advisory board, but he mentors current entrepreneurship students. When we had multiple classes visit Fabled Rooster, he offered a realistic preview of the real work, but also real rewards involved with entrepreneurship."

Holley is a 13-year veteran of the Minnesota National Guard and one heck of a resource for students. During his time in the military, he served as a Calvary Scout which helped mold him into a self-reliant leader and taught him how to be resilient and quickly adapt to change. During his time in Iraq, they would run reconnaissance missions out of their vehicles for weeks on end, with the longest lasting 28 days, with no showers, support, or constant connection with loved ones. Yet even this test of Holley’s mental fortitude couldn’t rival his experience owning a small business.

Holley started with a food truck in 2015 and created a thriving business until mental health challenges, that included intense panic attacks, contributed to his closing the doors of his business in 2020. And this was before the pandemic led to shut downs throughout the world. Holley ended up selling his food truck, realizing the business was taking a significant toll on his mental health.

After taking some time away, Holley was presented with an opportunity to relaunch The Fabled Rooster in the brick and mortar setting his business now calls home. The owner of Graze Provisions + Libations invited Holley to open the Fabled Rooster in this local food collective in March of 2021. With the uncertainty of the pandemic and dining restrictions, it was quite a risk. 

“Who would take the risk and think that opening a BBQ restaurant in the middle of a pandemic, with dining restricted at the time, would be a good idea,” Holley said. “And Graze knew this as well, but they made the opportunity a positive risk situation giving us the option to walk away if things didn’t return to normal within a year or so. The future of restaurants and dining was unknown for the first time. The positive risk opportunity coupled with PPP loans and Emergency SBA relief loans made it a must try opportunity to keep the business alive.”

It was in this location Holley encouraged 911������ students from all walks of life and varied backgrounds to identify their goals and go after them with everything they have within them. “The Fabled Rooster serves some of the best BBQ in town,” said Holley who notes their signature sides and sauces make people feel at home. “Whatever idea you have, hard work and relationships create opportunities. And there’s nothing better than knowing your business is creating a stable income for its employees.”

Holley stays connected with the people who have encouraged him, like Cussler at 911������, and appreciates the opportunity he now has to mentor students where he once studied. “I’m constantly encouraging people to try new things, but a staple of success is work life balance,” said Holley who practices self-care, spends time with friends and family, volunteers in his community, and takes time for himself.