182. Charles Wong on BBQ, Culture & What Comes Next

Charles Wong, founder of UmamiQ, shares his transformative journey from a finance career to creating a culturally rich Texas-style barbecue concept rooted in his Chinese and Vietnamese heritage. Inspired by a life-changing visit to Franklin Barbecue in Austin, Charles began experimenting at home, eventually launching a successful pop-up business despite setbacks like a failed food hall residency due to legal issues with a shared smoker. He remains committed to opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Chicago, navigating the high costs of restaurant infrastructure, emphasizing sustainable margins through creative byproduct use and strong team culture over family dynamics. Charles reflects on the emotional weight of leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and how his immigrant parents’ sacrifices—fleeing Saigon and building a life through relentless work—shaped his values, work ethic, and desire to create stability and fulfillment through his brand. He also discusses balancing family, location, and long-term vision, advocating for real-world experiences like public school and restaurant work as essential for personal growth and character development. In the final segment, Charles contrasts his public school upbringing in Chicago with his wife’s private Catholic education, highlighting how urban exposure, public transportation, and early restaurant jobs build resilience, empathy, and street smarts—skills he believes are vital for young people navigating the world.