The Satori Story
It took a round trip of twenty years for Derek to get to do what he had planned to do when he left teaching. Having gathered experience in the fields of teacher, salesman, tour guide, guest house manager and creator and facilitator of a self-modelled childrens 'awareness' program and more than enough time in the corporate sector, Derek decided at 44 that it was now or never.
Having been inspired by The Artist's Way and Building a Business the Buddhist Way, and armed with little money, a large circle of the most supportive, believing friends and enormous amounts of passion, Derek bought a greasy shop of horrors and found himself to be the proud owner of a mess (view pics).
Starting with one team member – 'Moffat' and a crowd of Satori friends, two weeks of cleaning, painting, clearing and dumping began. The fifteen year old wood burner dictated that it was going to be 'Italian' and so it is. With a Japanese name that is. Then it was agreed that something more than pizza might be required to have an award wining restaurant, so in steps 'Leah'. And soon after, the demand was calling for Marci and Godfrey, and later Chris, Mathabo, Chanti, Memory, Patience, Connie, Edson and Sheila.
The 'big' burning question, where does the money come from? Try approaching your circle of believing mirrors and asking them to expose themselves to R1000 each because you have a dream and a plan with passion. Try accepting their generosity when they ask for your bank details! And that is how Wakita La Pizza was bought that day in October 2002.
Nothing happened over-night. But Derek and his team were adamant that anything with the Satori stamp on it would carry with it the essence of quality, passion, improving presentation, impeccable service, consistency and value for money.
The Satori team work hard to keep Satori Restaurant up there with the best and they are proud to have been acknowledged by coming tie for 1st place in the Best Neighbourhood Restaurant category in the annual Leisure Options Best of Johannesburg 2004 Readers Choice Awards.
And by winning the Best Neighbourhood Restaurant category in the annual Leisure Options Best of Johannesburg 2005 and 2006 Readers Choice Awards.
The business plan stated that - As a right livelihood business 'Satori' will:
cultivate the creation and serving of good, healthy, clean food
cultivate good health and all round well-being
cultivate creative expression
cultivate superior service levels
maintain superior levels of quality
provide best value for money
cater to those seeking a culinary experience with a difference
The team at Satori believe they're achieving this more often than not. However the team never lose sight of the continuous and ever increasing support of you, the customer, that makes Satori possible.
Satori roughly translates into individual Enlightenment, or a flash of sudden awareness. Satori is as well an intuitive experience.
