Sample Bio: Yianna DeMars

Chef and business owner Yianna DeMars knows what it’s like to live in the shoes of an entrepreneur and wear many hats. An experienced leader in the hospitality industry, Yianna has grappled with sales, marketing, recruiting, training, financials, operations, systems, strategy – and food. In her role as a Soundwork.com advisor, she enjoys helping ambitious owners set goals, overcome challenges, create a scalable platform, and grow their businesses. 

After earning a degree in Hospitality Administration and Management in Culinary Arts, Yianna worked as Executive Chef and Culinary Director for Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, California. While innovating menus, techniques, and recipes, she increased local farm product use from 10% to 85% in each dining outlet. She also led teams, collaborated with clients, and managed large weddings, corporate retreats, and charity galas. 

Next, Yianna refined her leadership and team-building skills in the fast-paced atmosphere of a successful restaurant chain. Leading a dynamic team of twenty with empowerment and positive reinforcement, Yianna scaled operations from one to three locations. She went on to own and operate a fine dining establishment in San Diego that focused on multi-course and weekly changing menus. After rebranding the company to fit a changing local audience, she added an additional catering company that focused on lavish house parties and cooking classes. 

Guiding Michelin-leveled kitchen teams in the high-stress hospitality industry translates perfectly to the discipline and grit needed to build and operate a sustainable business. As a Soundwork.com advisor, Yianna is uniquely qualified to assist business owners in service-based industries, helping them examine, document, and refine their processes. She enjoys propelling business owners in the right direction to find confidence, higher levels of organization, and more productivity. 

A vintage cookbook collector and mother of two, Yianna DeMars is also an avid reader and occasional glamper.