93: Tiki Time with Jeff w/guest Russell Thoede, Founder, Lei Low (Houston)

This Tiki Time with Jeff episode was recorded in April 2025 -- months before our Tiki Time with Jeff Primer was recorded (see episode 84). — On this voyage, Jeff speaks with Russell Thoede. In 2014, he and his wife, Elizabeth, co-founded Lei Low in Houston. Russell is not just the owner of what is now one of Jeff’s favorite tiki bars; he’s the maker of Jeff’s new favorite tiki drink, The Pearl Diver, and a walking, talking, living, breathing tiki wiki - a fount of tiki history and lore. In this captivating conversation, Jeff and Russell cover: - the Lei Low origin story, - the pride and passion that underlie every “real” tiki bar - Russell’s fervent belief that the craft cocktail movement actually began with tiki - how tiki, for all its exoticism, is a truly American creation - how, in just under 100 years, Don the Beachcomber’s fully concocted fantasy has become something very real, with its own sense of authenticity All of that, plus Russell’s very good advice to all entrepreneurs. Enjoy and cheers! —— This episode of Tiki Time with Jeff was recorded on location at Lei Low in Houston, TX. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook @leilowhtx Thanks for listening to Tiki Time with Jeff! Much aloha to all! -- Learn more about CU's Deming Center for Entrepreneurship: https://deming.colorado.edu Comments/criticism/suggestions/feedback? We'd love to hear it. Drop us a note at [email protected]. Thanks for listening. - An Analog Digital Arts Production for the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship Produced, recorded and edited by Joel Davis "Whiskey Before Breakfast" [Traditional] performed by Jeffrey York and Brad Werner. Recorded, mixed and mastered by George Figgs ___ CREATIVE DISTILLATION University of Colorado-Boulder professors Jeff York and Brad Werner distill entrepreneurship research into actionable insights. Jeff York | Associate Professor | Research Director [email protected] Brad Werner | Instructor | Teaching Director [email protected] Deming Center for Entrepreneurship | CU Leeds School of Business 303.492.9018 | [email protected]