Pokeworks
Peter Yang
Poke is a type of dish that can be described as a raw fish salad. It consists of diced up raw fish and other vegetables. It is typically served as an appetizer and is traditional to Hawaii.
Pokeworks is a chain of restaurants that serves this dish in a quick efficient fashion. It is a build your own sushi sundae, similar to the style of Chipotle and Subway. It begins with a bed of rice, salad, or quinoa. Then the protein is added, most commonly salmon and ahi tuna are used. The next step in the line are the vegetables. Finally, the “crunchy” toppings are sprinkled on top, including macadamia nuts and crispy wontons.
Peter Yang is the Chief Development Officer and co-founder of Pokeworks, along side brother and a couple of college friends. Peter grew up in the restaurant business and was working for his parents at the age of 15.
He graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a degree in engineering. He briefly pursued a career in this field but lost interest soon after. Peter returned to his roots and passion in the restaurant industry. The idea for Pokeworks came from the need for quick, customizable, and healthy eating that can be taken to go.
Peter stated in an interview that “passion is half the equation, but grit is the other half.” Passion can come from discussing ideas with others, a personal experience, something from your past. The grit comes in when pursuing that passion. Working and persevering through the tough times and grueling details.
Peter Yang has an inspiring story that began when he was just a kid working for his parents restaurant. He left that life to pursue engineering, but returned to his calling in the food industry.
(3810) Pokeworks – Somerville, MA – YouTube
Peter Yang – Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer of Pokeworks (ideamensch.com)
It’s crazy that someone built an entire business around a dish that I’ve never even heard of! Pokeworks is a great example of creating a market that didn’t previously exist.
Interesting, I’d never heard of Poke! I love that although Peter Yang had an engineering degree he instead chose to pursue something he was passionate about, and made it work! I also love Peter’s opinion on passion and grit. Overall great post!
I find this very interesting! It just goes to show that a market can be created from just an original idea.