- Introducing the Vibrant Vendors of Somerville’s Own -
At Somerville Local First, we not only believe in the importance of supporting locally owned businesses, but getting to know the faces behind counter as well. That is why we decided to create a blog series that profiles various SLF members, asking a set of 10 questions that connect readers to the featured business and to the Somerville community as well.
Henry Patterson, talking to a client at his diner
SLF board member Henry Patterson is what you might call a Somerville personality. As someone who knows Somerville restaurants and business through and through, it only makes sense that he eventually ended up in the business of helping these very businesses become successful in the community he loves and knows so well. Read on as Patterson discusses his operation Foodservice Financials and how he got to the place he has today.
1. Why did you start your business?
To provide a service that I wish I had been able to obtain when I had my own restaurants.
2. What brought you to Somerville?
In 1977 I leased a building in Union Square and built a commissary (prep kitchen) for my restaurant company. I sold the restaurants (6 of them around metro Boston) in 1991 but I retained the commissary building (now Journeyman, Forklift Catering, Ronnarong Thai Tapas, Union Square Chiropractic, Casa B, and Elegant Salon).
3. What is your fondest memory of doing business in Somerville?
It’s ongoing. The transformation of Union Square — from depressed and depressing to the diversity, vibrancy and promise it now displays.
4. What gets you really excited about your business?
Using financial analysis to show a restaurateur the low hanging fruit in his or her own business. Our tag line is “Finding the Profit in Foodservice.” It’s there, but many owner/operators are too busy to harvest it.
5. Thinking about your business, what keeps you up at night?
Never been my problem. I crash early, swim at dawn and am at my desk by 6:00am.
6. If you could have one wish come true for Somerville, what would it be?
That I live long enough to see the @#$%^&* Union Square T-stop!
7. Favorite motto or quote?
What we learn from history is that we do not learn from history.
8. What’s the most rewarding part of running a small business?
Seeing my clients thrive and grow.
9. What’s the most challenging part of running a small business?
Multi-tasking. I never have been very good at it.
10. If your business was an animal, what animal would it be and why?
A Labrador retriever, happiest when at work retrieving the results of the hunt.
If you would like your SLF member business or organization featured in Shades of Somerville, go here to submit your information.
