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ABOUT OUR FOUNDER
The Sushi Club of Houston was founded by Carl Rosa in October 2006 and grew to over 500 members in 13 months. THE BASIC IDEA "I am often asked how the concept of the Sushi Club of Houston got started." says Carl. "It was merely an idea that I had while experiencing my very first sushi meal in Houston." Carl moved to Houston after his home was consumed by Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. At the time, Carl was working for a publicly-traded company in Metairie, Louisiana. Technically 'homeless in Houston' and looking for an apartment to lease, he visited a sushi restaurant. Carl said, "The sushi was terrible. I couldn't believe that it was passing for legitimate sushi. I thought that someone should create a sushi newsletter or online format to inform Houston-area sushi lovers of the best (and worst) sushi establishments." He mentioned the idea to a few of his co-workers and one replied, "Maybe you should create a newsletter. People might find an interest in it." Carl responded, "Better yet.......maybe a sushi club would be even better." Carl was convinced that a sushi club already existed in Houston, but after a long search on the Internet, he soon realized that a 'Houston-based sushi club' didn't exist. He immediately began building the sushi club's website. FINDING A SUITABLE 'WEB ADDRESS' Carl said, "I knew that the club itself would have to be an Internet-based society, so I had to think of a web address that would be very easy to remember. The web address also had to be a hallmark to sushi lovers in Houston. One day, while eating at Kubo's Sushi Bar and Grill (Rice Village), I noticed that their website was 'www.Kubos-Sushi.com.' So I considered using the web address 'www.Houston-Sushi.com.' I checked the Internet and it was available. I couldn't believe it! I purchased the name for $9.00." SINCE THEN.... Within the first 3 months, the club was proudly supporting 100 members. During the club's first birthday celebration, 85 club members attended the first birthday of the event and Carl announced that 400 people had officially signed up as a member since the first day of the club. Today, the club is proud to call over 600 Houstonians 'Sushi Club Members.' Carl affectionately considers them "Sushi Addicts." BEYOND POPULAR Today, the demand for seat at each club event is nothing short of incredible. After announcing the December 2007 sushi events online, every event became an absolute sell-out in less than 10 minutes. When the January 2008 events were announced, all three sushi club functions sold out of seats within the first 4 minutes. WHAT MAKES THE CLUB SO POPULAR? Although the success of the Sushi Club of Houston is astonishing, the secret to its success is nothing unusual. "When people hear that our club sells out of seats in minutes, they think that we are offering something extraordinary," says Carl. "There's nothing revolutionary about it. I listen to the members. In fact, I listen very carefully. Without them, this club would not be nearly as successful. That's a fact. The sheer wisdom that I receive from our members on a daily basis is the only factor that keeps the club thriving beyond my comprehension. Let's face it.....500 opinions are significantly stronger then mine." Carl works as the Executive Director for the Japan-America Society of Houston, located near the Galleria in Houston, TX. He can be reached by contacting him directly via email at carldrosa@yahoo.com. |
