Whether you’re just shaping an idea or leading a business that’s been around for generations, this flexible, self-paced course will help you strengthen your foundation. From business planning and market research to funding strategies and operational tools, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to grow and sustain your food and beverage business. Learn on-demand, at your own pace, and walk away with actionable strategies tailored to your stage of business.

What we bring to the table.

When you join a Proof program, you are bringing decades of food and beverage experience alongside you to work on your business. We meet you where you are in your business journey, and provide holistic support tailored to your unique business model and needs.

  • CONTENT

    Bite-sized video content relevant to today's industry and designed for operators to work through at your own pace and schedule

  • EXPERTISE

    Access to a team of industry experts from a range of specialized fields such as operations, marketing, and more

  • TOOLS

    Easy-to-use templates, worksheets, and more that have been put into play by hundreds of entrepreneurs

Don't just take our word for it.

See what business owners from across the country have to say about our program.

“So many things in the industry that come up are unexpected, but I knew with Proof, I had someone to call to say 'hey, this is what I’m experiencing' and ask if it’s normal and if they can help me. It’s given me a great sense of confidence, because now when I’m making decisions for the restaurant, I have an opinion from someone who is experienced and gone through what I am now.”

Tiffany | Lil Mama's in Chattanooga, TN

“The way the class was structured as far as dealing with the pandemic and the crisis management that followed was very impactful. This year has been a fast year for me and I knew I needed to scale and Proof coached me on how to scale properly.”

Antonio | Party Bites in Chattanooga, TN

Meet Our Team

Our team has decades of experience in the food and beverage industry in a range of specializations.

Michael Robinson

CEO, Co-Founder

From franchises to serial entrepreneurship, Michael Robinson has spent nearly 2 decades immersed in the Food and Beverage industry. After selling two successful food service ventures and helping scale a beverage brand nationally as COO, he shifted his focus on investing in and supporting emerging restaurants and CPG companies, which eventually led to founding Proof. He specializes in finance, from cost analysis to forecasting to fundraising capital, as well as operations.

Kaleena Goldsworthy

COO

Kaleena Goldsworthy pivoted from music to hospitality in 2013, quickly earning certifications and expanding into herbalism and bitters. In 2017 she helped change Tennessee law to found The Bitter Bottle - the state’s first legal alcohol-based bitters - later merging with Maven Table. She founded Goldcraft Co. and now serves as COO of Proof (opening team 2020; COO since 2022). A 2016 Tales of the Cocktail Apprentice, she now manages the program and mentors industry peers.

Shanna Lucien

Head of Coaching

Since 2021, Shanna Lucien has coached Proof’s restaurant cohorts, specializing in P&L, operations, and HR. She’s supported Urban League groups in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Lake County. Formerly Popeyes’ Mountain West Regional Director of Operations, she led support for 100+ franchisees across 21 states/645 restaurants. A New Orleans native with roles at Copeland’s/Al Copeland/AFC, she’s active in local charities - the unofficial “Governor of New Orleans.”

Let's Grow Local Business Together

We collaborate with economic development leaders and ecosystem partners to strengthen restaurant communities in their markets. Want to bring our program to your area? Complete the form below to get started.

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