Today we’d like to introduce you to David Traxler.
David, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Owning a bar and restaurant is something I had wanted to do since I was 18 years old when I first went to college. As you know, when you get out of school you don’t really have the means to do anything like that, so like most folks, I packed my car, drove to Los Angeles and got a job. Fast forward almost ten years, now in Atlanta, and I hadn’t lost that dream. I heading into my 5th year of doing full commission sales in the IT industry. Starting each month, not knowing if I’d make any money or not. I had earned some success in my job, saving as much as I could, when I came to a crossroads of knowing that no matter what that commission check would say, it wasn’t fulfilling my goals or passions. I had to make a move. So with the help and motivation of my wonderful wife to be, I quit my job and decided, instead of getting another sales job, I would throw all of my savings (commissions) into my new venture of starting a bar and restaurant. Hence the name “Full Commission”.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Nothing worth achieving is easy, so like any new business, there are plenty of bumps and roadblocks in your way. You can plan as much as you want, but ultimately there are things out of your control that happens–it’s all about how you handle the adversity. It happens in so many ways, from something missing from a food order and having to 86 an item one night, to losing a valuable employee, or closing for two weeks due to a flood. We have been through them all. You can let it beat you or you can continue to work hard, put in the extra hours, continue to build a team of fantastic people, and learn not to make any of the same mistakes again.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Full Commission is an all-day southern gastropub serving counter service coffee, espresso, and breakfast in the morning with full-service bar and dinner in the evenings. On the weekends we serve full service brunch in the mornings. We are known for things from all parts of our service (coffee, espresso, breakfast, dinner), but specifically our brunch service and cocktail program. We have some awesome dishes for brunch that are fresh and creative. Our veggie grit bowl with fresh local vegetables, grilled, on top of cheesy grits, is a big hit. We top it with eggs and country ham on request. The veggies change with the season so regular customers always have something different to try. We also have some fantastic cocktails that the neighborhood and our regulars have come to love. Most are riffs on classics like “The Death of a Salesman” which is a take on a penicillin with blended scotch, fresh lemon and ginger juice. My favorite is the “Business Card” which is served in a coup with bourbon, lemon, Aperol and amaro–it’s great all year around.
What sets us apart from others is not necessarily our products, but more so the fun experience and the way you are treated by our staff. We have an amazing staff of great people who do their best to make sure you are taken care of every step of the way, from the “welcome in” on your arrival to “y’all have a great day” when you leave. Coupled with some fantastic food and libations, you have a solid place for people to want to be at all parts of the day.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always goal-oriented and focused while always had fun socially. Sports were a big part of my life and kept me disciplined while learning to work hard and have accountability from a team of peers. I have also always been entrepreneurial and wanted to start my own business or join a startup. I had a lawn business in high school and my entire sales career was for startup companies. People have always called me a “neat freak”, which I think is somewhat reflected in our restaurant. We keep it as clean as possible and everything has a place. The most important thing to me are my family and friends and I try to carry that over to our culture to provide our employees and guests the same experience you’d want to have for those people.
Contact Info:
- Address: 519 Memorial Dr SE
C-01
Atlanta, GA 30312 - Website: www.fullcommissionatl.com
- Phone: 4049419102
- Email: info@fullcommissionatl.com
- Instagram: fullcommissionatl
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullcommissionatl/
- Twitter: fullcommission_
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/full-commission-atlanta
- Other: https://resy.com/cities/atl/full-commission
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