Fifi Bell-Clanton and Gwen Woods
Courtesy of The Crabby Shack.
Ages || FIFI 46; Gwen 50
Company Name || The Crabby Shack
Job Titles || Co-Owners
Years Living In New York || FIFI 21 years; Gwen 27 years
Social Handles || @thecrabbyshack
Company Website || The Crabby Shack
What did you want to be while growing up?
FIFI: I wanted to be a newscaster or a host of my own television show. but ultimately I wanted to be an entrepreneur of some sort.
GWEN: I wanted to be a corporate America honcho. I used to play dress up and act like I was going to work.
Where did the idea for The Crabby Shack come from?
F: The idea for The Crabby Shack came from the lack of crab in New York and the New England area where I went to college. I found myself going to the market and making crab rolls all the time for friends and family. Gwen loves to cook and often threw the best dinner parties so one evening at one of her parties I told her of the idea and she loved it!! Here we are now 6 years later!
How did your backgrounds help you with launching it?
F: We didn't have any experience in the restaurant business at all. Gwen was an executive with years of experience managing people as well as looking at numbers and overall operations. I was a freelance stylist who had the discipline in research and delving into a project /goal-oriented task. This helped get things off the ground and still to this day allows Gwen and I to utilize our best skills to run our business.
Courtesy of The Crabby Shack.
What’s the best piece of advice you were given when you were starting out?
Research, ask many questions, utilize your resources and don't give up.
How do you define success?
Success is when you have manifested a dream exactly how you envisioned it. Success doesn't necessarily mean financial gain, It is when you set out to reach a goal and have successfully accomplished it.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned since opening the Crabby Shack?
Cutting down, and managing your expenses is important, alway have emergency finances stashed away. Customer service is key and hiring the right staff can make or break your business.
What is your go-to motivational quote or personal motto?
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.” - Nelson Mandela
Which women inspire you?
The everyday woman who overcomes adversity, who stands up for herself. Who acts on their dreams and who believes in herself.
Courtesy of The Crabby Shack.
How do you overcome moments of self-doubt?
F: I push through, I think of where I came from and where I am today. And sometimes I go to Gwen to lift me up! That always seems to work.
What do you hope visitors get out of a visit to The Crabby Shack?
A great customer experience. Delicious food, good vibes and the desire to come back for more.
How do you manage responsibilities and making decisions as co-owners?
We share our responsibilities and always talk through the tough decisions.
How do you handle situations where you feel overwhelmed?
F: Gwen and I work very well under pressure, We acknowledge the problem and talk it through. We can normally get through whatever is thrown our way.
Courtesy of The Crabby Shack.
What has been the most rewarding thing since starting out?
We were asked to be a vendor at The Barclays Center, which was awesome! We were recently featured on a number of television shows including The Tamron Hall Show as well as a Netflix documentary called She did That! And.. “we did that!” and feel very proud of the accolades the Crabby Shack has received thus far.
What advice would you give to other women trying to open their own restaurant?
It's not easy, but if it's truly your passion then go for it and don't look back! Stay away from self-doubt and just keep working towards your goal. You will make mistakes but it will only make you a better owner. If you fall down, get back up. Stay focused, disciplined, and work hard.
What is the best way for people to support The Crabby Shack during the coronavirus?
Stop by and see us! We would love to have you come by for take out or enjoy our outdoor seating.
What are some of your goals moving forward for The Crabby Shack?
We will soon start to ship our food nationally! You will be able to purchase merchandise, food, and gift cards directly online. Stay tuned launching mid to late August.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.