Devin Eichler of Crafty Cow Explains How to Use Your Personal Brand to Boost Your Business The founder and CEO of Crafty Cow Devin Eichler discusses streamlining operations with Toast, connecting with customers through personal branding, and never being afraid to ask for help.

By Shawn P. Walchef

Key Takeaways

  • Streamlining operations for Devin Eichler is key. Switching from Aloha POS to Toast helped simplify things so that even managers who are not technology savvy could still use it.
  • Connecting with customers through personal branding is crucial to growth. Being on video didn't initially come naturally to Eichler, but he now understands the power that smartphone storytelling holds as a way of connecting with his audience.
  • Get curious and always ask for help. Eichler, like most business owners, hit a rough spot and was unable to find a solution. Fortunately, he had the courage to ask for help, and not only found solutions but also opportunities that he may not have had otherwise.

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

Crafty Cow Founder/CEO Devin Eichler understands that in the fast-paced world of restaurants, simplicity and connection are often the keys to success.

Specifically, in today's digital age, establishing a genuine connection with your audience is paramount.

Eichler initially struggled with this aspect, particularly when it came to video content. However, he recognized the power of Smartphone Storytelling in forging relationships with his customer base. "The more we put ourselves out there and the more that we actually show who we are, we show who our staff is…That's what people want to see," Devin tells Restaurant Influencers host Shawn Walchef of Cali BBQ Media.

It took time and effort for Devin to become a business content creator. "That's how people get connected with you. That's how you grow your audience."

When he made the switch from Aloha to Toast POS, he experienced a transformative shift in his operations that not only streamlined his processes but also empowered even his less tech-savvy managers. It simplified the entire business.

"We needed something that would work faster, something that we could update," he explains about making his POS change. "Even our managers that aren't good with technology, they are able to use Toast so easily. It really saved our lives at that point."

Like many BIZ Experiencess, Eichler faced challenges he couldn't resolve on his own. What set him apart was his willingness to seek help and guidance. This crucial decision not only led to solutions for his problems but also opened doors to unforeseen opportunities.

"Get curious. Ask for help," he says. "Ask for help first. Once I started asking for help, so many doors opened that would have stayed shut if I just kept living in my own sadness and not trying to get better."

Devin Eichler's journey in the restaurant industry speaks to the importance of embracing change, leveraging technology, and connecting with your audience authentically.

Subscribe to Restaurant Influencers: BIZ Experiences | Spotify | Apple

About Restaurant Influencers

Restaurant Influencers is brought to you by Toast, the powerful restaurant point of sale and management system that helps restaurants improve operations, increase sales and create a better guest experience.

Toast — Powering Successful Restaurants. Learn more about Toast.

Shawn P. Walchef

Founder of Cali BBQ Media

“Be the show, not the commercial.”

Cali BBQ Media Founder Shawn Walchef helps brands and leaders leverage the new Business Creator Economy with strategic Smartphone Storytelling and Digital Hospitality.

His Cali BBQ restaurant company has generated more than $35 million since opening in 2008. They operate numerous locations in San Diego and beyond.

Shawn’s weekly video series Restaurant Influencers (published by BIZ Experiences Media and produced by Cali BBQ Media) has been seen by over 25 million people.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Starting a Business

These Brothers Started a Business to Improve an Everyday Task. They Made Their First Products in the Garage — Now They've Raised Over $100 Million.

Coulter and Trent Lewis had an early research breakthrough that helped them solve for the right problem.

Franchise

How to Prepare Your Business — And Yourself — For a Smooth Exit

After decades of building your business, turning it over to someone else can be emotional. But with the right mindset and a strong plan, it can also be your proudest moment.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Franchise

10 No-Office-Required Businesses You Can Start for as Little as $5,000

With strong Franchise 500 rankings and investment levels starting under $5,000, these brands are ready for new owners to hit the ground running.

Business News

Here Are the 10 Jobs AI Is Most Likely to Automate, According to a Microsoft Study

These careers are most likely to be affected by generative AI, based on data from 200,000 conversations with Microsoft's Copilot chatbot.