Hidden Gems: Meet Dara Wong of Shift

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dara Wong.

Hi Dara, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Let’s start with my early childhood, it was fairly easy and full of love and support. I grew up in Boulder, CO with my parents and three siblings. As I got older, it became evident that I had a learning disability and so I was put into a special education program in elementary school. My parents had hired a tutor for me who I saw more than my friends.

She mostly taught me how to organize my brain. She taught me that I wasn’t different, I just learned differently. But most of all I understood that I can overcome anything with a little hard work and determination. When it comes to being an entrepreneur and owning a restaurant, it isn’t easy. It is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But I am good at it because I am capable of seeing the big picture and knowing that you can be good at anything if you want to.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been smooth, but I think that’s what makes it more worth it. You learn the most from the difficult times whether it’s about your business or yourself. The success feels better when it was harder to get there.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Shift?
Shift is a little 50 seat restaurant in the heart of downtown Flagstaff. We look to Shift the mentality of the normal dining experience. We serve American cuisine through shared plates by encouraging a community style of dining. Shift’s food is approachable yet refined and creative. The kitchen is open with an eight seat interactive chef’s counter allowing diners see what goes into the back of house operations.

As an owner, I am extremely proud of what we produce and what we offer in our hospitality, food, and drink. But most of all I am extremely proud of the culture that Shift entails. Each team member is apart of a family and are accepted as they are. Our diners, purveyors, and employees all belong in our community at Shift.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a quiet, shy child. It may shock people to hear that but I didn’t really start understanding who I was till I was in college. I loved swimming, art, and music. I swim all throughout my childhood and into college for the University of Denver. I even coached swimming of many different levels for a few years after my undergrad. I went to art class with my friends after school every week for many of my childhood years. And I was fairly consumed by cello which I played in multiple orchestras during and after school as well as in a quartet for a dozen years. I was a busy child.

Going into cooking as a career doesn’t sound that shocking after reminiscing about my childhood.

Contact Info:

• Email: info@shiftflg.com
• Website: www.shiftflg.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiftflg/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shiftflg/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/shift-kitchen-and-bar-flagstaff

Image Credits
Hannah Rose Gray