For the last couple of years, I’ve wanted to start a project focusing on women in business.  As a woman, myself, I know the unique struggles we face in a world dominated by men, and particularly in industries dominated by men.

I was lucky enough to get to interview Lisa Marshall, one of the owners of the Hangar Bar and Grill in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  Their food is absolutely amazing, cooked to perfection and left me (and many people around me) drooling.  The staff is incredibly friendly.  Read on for the interview, as well as a short video and photos of the amazing food at the Hangar!

Lets start with who you are?

“I’m Lisa Marshall, I’m the owner with my daughter Brook Marshall.  We built all this together.”

Tell me a little about your business?

“We’re the Hangar Bar and Grill. We’re a bar and restaurant.  We’re probably most famous for our fish fry, but I’d say all our menu items are pretty popular.  We have great wings, we hand cut our steaks, we hand patty our burgers.  The Curd Burger is very, very popular and delicious.  I feel like our bar and dining room are two separate businesses, one is kind of like an old Cheers-type place where everyone knows your name, you know, like family.”

What made you and your daughter decide to get into business?

“We bought this three years ago from family (Brook’s grandparents).  Brook kind of grew up here.  She kind of talked me into it, and here we are.  We changed the name, did a lot of updating with the food and the building itself.  We still have a lot to do, but the food – we’re focusing more on fresh ingredients as much as we can, anything we can make in-house we try to do that instead of pouring it out of a bag.  That makes a huge difference.  We’ve really grown, this business continues to grow, and I think that’s a big part of it, the fresh ingredients and being real personable with each customer, new and old.  I hope the everyone feels welcome here and wants to come back.”

What’s it like being a woman in business?

“I feel like I have to prove myself more.  Maybe it’s just in my head, but I feel like as time goes on and we are more successful that people do respect me a little bit more.  But in the beginning it was kind of like “she doesn’t know what she’s doing” from like sales reps and customers.  I just kind of had to prove myself and have to continue to prove myself.  And I always say “I’m a big girl, I can handle it.”  I always say that.”

What strengths do you feel being a woman gives you?

“Personally, I feel my strong points are, and I mean men have this too but I’m very organized.  I do like to micro-manage and OCD but you have to be on top of things and oversee everything or stuff kind of slides, it’s not a good a product or service so I feel it’s very important to be hands-on.  I feel like I can do all the jobs here, and a lot of times – like cooking on the line.  I don’t do it every day but it’s actually probably my favorite thing to do, is be back there.  I think I have the most fun and I think the employees actually like it when I’m on the line.  I’m kind of a different person but you really have to prove yourself for that.  We do have a female cook but it’s mainly men and they’re like “oh she doesn’t get it, she can’t do it” and then I get on the line and they’re like “Lisa’s slaying it” you know.  Once you kind of prove yourself you gain a lot of respect.”

Would you say that’s the hardest part of being a woman in business?

Yeah, I do.  We have to work a little harder.

If you had a piece of advice for a woman starting her own business, or even yourself three years ago when you bought this place, what would it be?

Lisa laughs.  “Not to buy a restaurant  – I give anyone that advice.  No, I would say to not be afraid.  If you’re afraid you’re never going to overcome or succeed.  Before this I had my own residential cleaning business for 20 years and was very successful at that.  I would say come up with a business plan and have a good support system.  You do have to work hard in the beginning but it does pay off eventually.  That’s what I tell myself everyday.”

The Hangar is an absolutely fantastic restaurant that you should definitely try if you haven’t already.  It’s been family owned and operated for over 30 years, and it’s clear Lisa and Brook have put their hearts into building this restaurant and making this a place you’ll want to come back to again and again.

The Hangar is located at 1485 W 20th Ave, Oshkosh, WI, 54902.  They are open 11am to 9pm Tuesday – Thursday, 11am to 10pm Friday and Saturday, and closed on Sundays and Mondays.  The bar is open Tuesday – Saturday 11am until late. They provide dine-in and carry-out, with the option to dine inside or on their patio.  Their phone number is 920-233-7430, and their website is https://www.thehangaroshkosh.com.

If you are a woman in business or know of a woman in business who would like to be a part of this project, contact me HERE.