Meet Spencer Golish of 4one4 Pub, Pizza & Karaoke in Tempe

Spencer, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m an Arizona native but moved to San Diego for 10 years from age 21 to 31. For most of my 20’s, I was battling addiction, barely scraping by, spent time in jails, and eventually prison before getting clean. Then, when I came back home to Arizona, I went through a painful divorce and was essentially starting life over at 34. After getting clean, I was able to start a Karaoke/DJ Business that I brought to Arizona with me from San Diego. Shortly after that, I found 4one4 and started hosting karaoke there a couple of times a week. That couple of times became four nights, then five and  eventually seven nights a week after a few months. I was also working a full-time customer service job at the time so needless to say, I was busy. Over time, I developed a relationship with the owners and wanted to become a partner on their next endeavor, which was a large sports bar-pizza place in Peoria. After some discussion, they asked if I wanted to purchase 4one4 instead? I said yes! The problem being I had never run a bar or restaurant before, and now had to learn how to do both, with almost no money. And when I bought 4one4, it was in June in Tempe, one of the slowest months. I survived those first months on the float you get from my food distributors, barely scraping by week to week. I was making money for myself by hosting karaoke at other bars around town.

Since then, I’ve had to replace, move, add or change every piece of restaurant equipment. I have made a ton of very expensive mistakes, but somehow have managed to keep it all together. I couldn’t have done it without the help of a great core of my team that has been with me nearly the whole time. My mom is also a huge help as she does the books and the payroll and she works for pizza and wings! (which she usually pays for anyways ;)) Without her experience and expertise I’m sure I couldn’t be where I am today, and I would have made even more mistakes. The restaurant and bar business is as grueling as it gets – we stay open late and I work crazy amounts of hours. But I finally see some light at the end of the tunnel as the old owners are nearly paid off.  It’s been a long four years.  But the good news is we’re still here and going strong. Some of the best scratch made pizza in Tempe, and definitely the best karaoke in Arizona. It’s been a long road, but the experience has been something that will be with me forever. I’m so grateful for my team, my family and our customers which are like family too.

Has it been a smooth road?
Within the first year, I had to replace my pizza oven which is nearly the most expensive item in my kitchen when it caught fire. I didn’t have a dough mixer at first, so I was having to drive to Scottsdale daily to use the previous owners’ mixer to make dough. When I finally was able to get my own mixer I had to totally reconfigure my kitchen to accommodate it. I’ve had to replace my walk-in compressor in the summer when sales are the leanest. I have had so many staffing and process challenges that it makes me shudder to even think about. I’ve had to create my entire menu with little personal commercial kitchen experience, mostly through trial and error. I’ve had to learn about ordering appropriately for food and liquor, and have made many ill-advised purchases.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with 4one4 Pub, Pizza & Karaoke – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
4one4 is absolutely the best karaoke in Arizona. I’ve been to the other places, they just can’t compare. I think our pizza is really amazing as well, we make everything in house from our cheese blend, to our sauce, to our dough. We are the UnMill bar on Mill. We welcome the nerds, misfits, and others, they all have a home away from home at 4one4. I have a great staff and loyal customer base that keeps it all going and successful.

How would you describe the type of kid you were growing up?
I was always a good student and played every major sport until a bad knee injury in High school football.  I’ve always been a people person – my mom would get embarrassed because I’d always be introducing myself to people in grocery stores and meeting people wherever I went. I’m still into sports, working out and doing outside things like camping, hunting, and fishing. I love to read and still am an avid reader. Unfortunately, I don’t have much time for those things these days!

Contact Info:

• Address: 414 s. Mill Ave Ste 118
  Tempe, Az 85281
• Website: www.414pizzatempe.com
• Phone: 480-829-3536
• Email: 414pizzatempe@gmail.com
• Instagram: @414pizza
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/414pubandpizza
• Twitter: @speninaz

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