Rich Conversations: 035. Evan Salone
Evan Salone joins Rich to talk about his experience staying home in Chicago. The two discuss the restaurant industry and working with people to achieve larger goals. Evan shares life lessons and brings a chill vibe and humor to the show.
How are you doing during the coronavirus situation?
I’m doing okay. Basically been chillin. Been trying to move as minimally as possible.
How do you normally spend your time in Chicago?
I manage a restaurant. Sunda New Asian. I’d spend a lot of time there. Working out, going out to eat, spending time with friends. Work was consuming a lot of my life for the last few years, so this has definitely been a contrast. Use this as a reset and enjoy the time.
What’s something new you’re doing or feeling that surprised you?
One new thing that I’ve done is connecting with my family a lot more. I have a huge family and we use holidays to come together. My dad’s side does a yearly trip to Vegas. We’ve gotten together on a Zoom call. My aunt and I have been putting together games. Scavenger hunt to find items you’d have in quarantine. The last time we made a quiz based on facts about our family. It’s an opportunity to learn more about the family and share stories.
What music have you been listening to since social distancing?
I’ve been letting myself go down like every YouTube wormhole. I’ve been getting into the VS series. It’s on Instagram Live. It’ll be like Timbaland vs. Swiss Beatz. They play their catalogs against each other. T-Pain and Lil’ Jon. Tonight is Erykah Badu vs. Jill Scott. That’s been fun.
What are you most excited to experience again in the city?
Definitely going out to restaurants in a normal way. I can’t wait to go to Big Star. Go there for a while and then go to Violet Hour. Being able to be around people. That’s the vibe. We’re all partying and having a good time. Parlor and Parson’s.
What’s a personal mantra or philosophy that guides you in life?
“Good enough isn’t.” Give it all you got. So you can be proud of what you’re doing.
Describe the best day of your life.
The day that I randomly came home at the right time and ran into my roommate, who was a bartender at the time, and he got a call from his manager. Their door guy just quit and they needed someone to work it. I was right there and said I’d do it. That turned into two years at that place. I’ve been working in the industry for the last ten years. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten into the industry if it wasn’t for that. It wasn’t on my radar. It just happened to be.
What’s your favorite travel experience?
Anytime that I’m close to anything that reminds me of my time growing up in Minnesota. Trips to Hawaii or Denver. I can go on a long hike. As much as I like going to cities for restaurants or shows, I like doing something outdoors.
What period of history are you most curious about?
The pyramids in Ancient Egypt. I want to have a better understanding.
What’s the most memorable scent in your life?
It’s My family used to travel from Minneapolis to Chicago all the time. There was a distinct smell—that sewage kind of smell of the street—but it was special to us. It’s the Chicago smell. It was a good thing. I knew I’d be at my Grandma’s house. That let us know what we had in store. The smell of my Grandma’s perfume too.
What’s the most influential book you ever read?
The Bible. I’m surprised more people don’t say that more. That one certainly. I was raised in the church. That was a tool to teach a bunch of different lessons. I utilize it in my daily life. There’s also a book I read it math classes in college. How Not to be Wrong by Jorden Ellenberg. I actually wrote to him while I read the book, and he wrote back. It’s about different applications of math. A mathematical view of the world and everyday life. That’s a perspective that a lot of people don’t know or recognize. It’s something I’m passionate about. People look at the world differently. In math, there’s more than one way to get an answer. That’s what I liked. That’s what influenced me in my life.
What’s something about you that few people know or understand?
I believe in the power of people. We have a lot more potential that we haven’t lived up to yet. This is where you’re at today, but you can be somewhere else tomorrow. Sometimes it doesn’t come across the right way. I might not show as much enthusiasm for someone’s achievement in the moment. But I know they can do more.
What’s been a difficult moment in your life and how did you overcome it?
This made me think about the time when my mom was sick, before she passed away. She had a couple different types of cancer throughout my life. I had been here in Chicago, but it was always in and out. But on this one trip back home, I realized how serious it was. In that moment, I realized how much I needed to step up—not just with her health, but with my family. Take responsibility of who I am and prove myself in a way. Understanding our differences were actually strengths. How I can use the skills I’ve developed, I could help my siblings out in different ways. And I could see how they bring things to the table.
Can you remember a time you decided the kind of person you were going to be?
That’s an interesting question. Yeah. I don’t know exactly. But there a couple times I’d been lied to or bamboozled. I never wanted to be that person. It’s on you to be honest and open. I’m going to be a good person. I’m dedicated to leaving a positive legacy behind me. Probably in 10th grade was one of the first times I thought, “This is who Evan is.” I’m going to tell the truth.
After this pandemic situation passes, what’s a positive result that you imagine could emerge?
I feel like the creativity that is coming out of this is special and shouldn’t be forgotten. You can develop new skills all the time. There are certain passions that are worth pursuing. If we also choose to see the benefit of this time. Other countries spend a lot more time in leisure than the United States. On a more global scale, we could see how that could affect American culture. Seeing how government programs can work for certain people. I think we should continue to explore those avenues. And work to correct the deficiencies this has pointed out.