Cousins Maine Lobster

January 22, 2018
Tselikis and Lomac come across as thoroughly likable storytellers in this account of how they transformed from business neophytes, with a half-baked idea to relive their Maine childhoods, into the founders of a recognizable food-truck brand. The cousins, who pitched their food-truck business on Shark Tank, provide entertaining, hard-earned lessons for would-be entrepreneurs and fans of their lobster rolls alike. They write with zeal about their brand and their devotion to Barbara Corcoran, the “shark” who became their mentor. But the book successfully avoids being an extended commercial for their company or a retelling of their appearance on the popular TV show. Though they continually remind readers of their naïveté when they started and strong work ethic, the lessons that flow from their experience—how to decide when to franchise, the dos and don’ts of adding a bricks-and-mortar presence—are valuable. Their passion for the “Maine way” permeates the book, revealing the deep connection they have with their beloved state, as well as insight into the insular culture of its lobster industry. The authors’ story is more personal and idiosyncratic than those related in many other traditional CEO bios and titles about start-ups. Kirsten Neuhaus, Foundry Literary + Media.

February 15, 2018
A snappy memoir/how-to-start-a-business manual.The narrative is a fun and educational chronicle of the journey of two cousins who grew up in Maine but had not seen each other in years. After reuniting over cocktails in Los Angeles, they arrived at the idea of working together. Tselikis and Lomac shared a dream of re-creating some of their most precious childhood memories, which always included glorious summer days surrounded by family and meals of delicious Maine lobster. "The goal wasn't simply to sell lobster--it was to sell Maine lobster in the Maine way," write the authors. Even though neither cousin knew the basics of the burgeoning food truck business, they soon began discussing plans to open one. In 2012, Cousins Maine Lobster began with one truck in LA. Just a few years later, the enterprise had evolved into a fleet of franchised food trucks around the country, an online delivery service, and a stand-alone restaurant, grossing over $15 million in net profits per year. The cousins got a big break with their appearance on the popular reality TV show Shark Tank and benefited from a continuing relationship with their mentor, Barbara Corcoran. Their story also offers valuable insights regarding the hard work required for success in the restaurant business. The authors provide frank discussions deconstructing numerous missteps and how their dreams and principles sustained and guided them, and as in many business books, each chapter contains a distilled lesson. Non-business types may enjoy the colorful overview of Maine's history and vivid descriptions of the demanding yet beautiful environment that is so dear to the authors' hearts. For those unfamiliar with the lobster business, the book offers an interesting portrait of an enterprise whose deep roots and strong relationships help define a state's cuisine.Pleasant, somewhat perfunctory, but worthwhile, especially for those looking to get into the food truck game.

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