We take Uncorked: Wine-Business-Life on the road to Alpen Rose for a wide-open conversation with chef-restaurateur Michael Schulson. Michael traces his path from his Nana’s matzo ball soup on Long Island to Philly institutions like Le Bec-Fin and Susanna Foo, then to Stephen Starr openings (Buddakan, Pod) and his own breakout with Izakaya at Borgata and Sampan in Center City.

He gets real about nearly shuttering his first spot, the “Stay True” mantra that kept him going, and the operator’s rule he swears by: design first, then service, then food—because dinner is the movie now. We dive into scaling to 15+ restaurants, using analytics (down to dollars per minute per server), forecasting orders, and why his model is asses-in-seats (no ghost kitchens).

There’s plenty of Philly love, some Knicks-Sixers banter, family, YPO/forum lessons, and—of course—wine: Saddlehill Reserve, a 1999 Lafite, and a 2010 Screaming Eagle.

Highlights:

-Origin story: from Nana’s kitchen to Le Bec-Fin → Susanna Foo → Buddakan/Pod

-First ownership wins & near-misses: Sampan’s slow start and the Stay True philosophy

-The 3 pillars ranked: Design, then Service, then Food (and why)

-Scaling smarts: forecasting orders, minute-by-minute server productivity, AI-driven ops

-Why he refuses delivery/ghost kitchens: the experience can’t be boxed

-Culture and winners: how Villanova-style mindset applies beyond basketball

-Partnerships, YPO/forum value, and learning to be a better partner & leader

-Family & balance: being “the best dad” as his definition of success

-New openings: Double Knot in Wynwood (Miami), Delray Beach, and New York

In this inspiring episode of Uncorked: Wine, Business & Life, Bill Green and Jerrold Colton sit down with Dr. Hava Rose, founder of The Pause Experience, a well-being agency focused on mindfulness, self-connection, and building intentional communities. From her disciplined beginnings as a competitive gymnast, to her journey through bodybuilding, Muay Thai, and chiropractic, Dr. Rose shares how she has continually reinvented herself—always leaning into challenges and going “all in.”

Today, she empowers individuals and organizations to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves in order to show up authentically in life and business.

We explore:

-Her transition from chiropractic into the world of mindfulness and corporate wellness

-The story behind founding The Pause Experience and why pauses are so powerful

-How athletics and discipline shaped her career path and philosophy on resilience

-The intersection of mental health, business culture, and authentic leadership

-Her vision for scaling Pause into a global movement of connection and well-being

All of this while enjoying Saddlehill Winery’s signature wines in the Saddlehill Tasting Room.

If you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or anyone seeking to bring more authenticity and balance into your life, this episode will leave you energized and inspired.

#DrHavaRose #PauseExperience #Mindfulness #CorporateWellness #EntrepreneurMindset #Journaling #AuthenticLeadership #UncorkedPodcast #WineBusinessLife #SaddlehillWinery #JerroldColton #BillGreen #FemaleEntrepreneurs #WellBeingAtWork