An amazing #TaxStories podcast conversation with Sarma Melngailis. After obtaining an Ivy League education in economics and having a successful job on the Wall Street Sarma quit it all and pursued her passion by creating a hugely successful restaurant in NY.

“What if everyone broke the rules? Nothing would work.”

If you search Sarma on the internet, then there’s a documentary on Netflix about her (Bad Vegan). There’s a new book written by Sarma: “The Girl with a Duck Tattoo”, published this Summer (you can find it on Amazon). There are also many interviews with her on different podcasts. So here I thought maybe not to repeat too much of what has been said so far, but to focus on some inspiration and business side of the story - how to grow successful business and become a popular restaurant in New York, which is a difficult market as we know it.

We covered a lot, including:

- her new book ‘The Girl With The Duck Tattoo’ (you can buy a personally signed copy here), with her version of the story, comparing to the Netflix series (Bad Vegan), ,

- why she doesn’t speak Latvian anymore,

- her favourite books,

- ‘Unreasonable Hospitality’ book by Will Guidara and his NY restaurant,

- why did she become a vegan,

- the keys to the success of her NY restaurant,

- how to set aims that are bigger than yourself,

- how Sarma nearly lost the brand because of the CFO,

- why normally people settle when faced with criminal charges,

- tax aspects of the business and the story,

and much more.

For our listeners in the US - if you’d like to taste rupjmaize (rye bread) as offered by Sarma’s dad (also Jānis) or if some Latvians in the US would like to have a taste of home, please click on this link.