Success stories are often told in hindsight, wrapped in a neat bow, highlighting the wins while glossing over the struggles. But real success—the kind that is earned, not given—is forged in adversity.
Henry Kaminski Jr. didn’t inherit wealth. Raised by a single father who worked tirelessly to give him a shot at a better life, Henry’s path was filled with obstacles that would have made most people quit.
From cleaning coffee pots to becoming a powerhouse in hospitality marketing, his journey is a testament to grit, reinvention, and an unwavering commitment to leaving every person, business, and opportunity better than he found them.
But before he became the man restaurateurs turn to when they want to scale, before he helped Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group generate over $1M in revenue, before the accolades and success, there was struggle. And a lot of it.
A Father’s Love and the Foundation of Resilience
Some lessons aren’t taught in schools or business books. Some lessons are learned by watching.
Henry Kaminski Sr. was a single father who did whatever it took to provide. He worked long hours, took extra shifts, and sacrificed his own comfort so his son could have more opportunities than he did. There was no complaining, no shortcuts—just hard work and a belief that no matter how tough things got, quitting was never an option.
That belief became the foundation Henry Jr. would carry through every challenge, every setback, and every moment when giving up seemed like the easiest choice.
And that moment came sooner than he expected.
The First Steps: From Coffee Pots to Corporate Dreams
Fresh out of college, Henry thought he was ready to take on the world. He had a degree in communications, a passion for marketing, and big dreams. But reality had other plans.
The year was 2002, and the economy was still reeling from September 11, 2001. Job interviews led nowhere. Days turned into months, and the weight of rejection pressed down on him. Finally, he took the only jobs he could find—verifying insurance paperwork and cleaning coffee pots at a local hospital.
They weren’t glamorous. They weren’t what he had envisioned. But he showed up every day, worked harder than he had to, and made himself indispensable. Eight years and a few promotions later, he started to feel the itch—he was meant for something more.
Henry’s father saw it too. He saw the drive, the ambition, the hunger for something bigger. He pushed Henry to believe in himself, to take a risk, and to bet on his own talent instead of waiting for someone else to recognize it.
And so, Henry took the leap. He started his own marketing business. But what he didn’t know was that his biggest test was waiting just around the corner.
Losing Everything: The Hurricane That Almost Took It All
Entrepreneurship is glorified in books and movies, but what they don’t show is the fear of watching everything you built slip through your fingers.
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy tore through the East Coast, leaving destruction in its wake. Henry’s business wasn’t just impacted—it was crippled.
Three of his highest-paying clients—gone. Revenue that he depended on—wiped out overnight.
He was devastated. The weight of failure was unbearable. He questioned everything—was this it? Was this the moment he had to admit defeat? Maybe he wasn’t cut out for this after all.
But then he heard the voice of his father, the one that had guided him his whole life. The one that reminded him that setbacks aren’t stop signs.
Instead of quitting, he adapted. He pivoted, learned new skills, and rebuilt from scratch. And slowly, the clients came back. The business rebounded. And with every failure, Henry got stronger.
Breaking Through: From Self-Doubt to Industry Leader
Henry’s biggest battle wasn’t competition. It wasn’t the economy. It wasn’t even the setbacks.
It was himself.
For years, self-doubt held him back from taking the risks he needed to take. He turned down opportunities because he didn’t feel ready. He watched as others, with half his talent, took the leaps he was too afraid to take.
But something changed.
Maybe it was the lessons learned from failure. Maybe it was the realization that no one was coming to save him. Whatever it was, he finally started showing up differently.
And then, everything shifted.
He launched Brand to Table, a hospitality marketing powerhouse that now works with some of the biggest names in the restaurant industry. He didn’t just help restaurants with marketing—he helped transform their businesses.
His impact was undeniable, which was evident in his work as CMO with Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group.
A $1,000,000 Lesson in Strategy
When celebrity chef Fabio Viviani brought Henry in to oversee marketing strategy, Henry helped the portfolio of over 15 brands grow to new heights.
An example of the success Henry brought was introducing cutting-edge platform that revolutionized the way Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group connected with guests: SevenRooms.
Through this new platform, Henry managed to generate over $1M+ in additional revenue in less than a year.
How did he do it?
Not by following industry norms. Not by playing it safe. But by seeing what others couldn’t—and acting on it.
Henry strengthened the portfolio while adding to it. Launching new ventures and setting FVH in a position of near-guaranteed success.
At the time, the industry standard for reservations was OpenTable. It was a tool everyone used, but Henry saw what others missed—it wasn’t enough.
The problem? OpenTable lacked the marketing capabilities necessary to not just manage reservations but to actively drive engagement and revenue. Henry knew they needed more.
So he introduced SevenRooms, a cutting-edge platform that revolutionized the way Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group connected with guests. With advanced customer data, personalized engagement, and superior marketing automation, the results were undeniable.
A Legacy of Impact: “Leave Them Better Than You Found Them”
For Henry, success isn’t about money. It’s not about recognition. It’s about impact.
His personal philosophy—“Leave them better than you found them”—is woven into everything he does.
It’s why clients don’t just work with him once; they become lifelong partners. It’s why people who once doubted him now seek his advice. It’s why he built Brand to Table, not just to grow restaurants, but to help business owners see the blind spots holding them back from their full potential.
It’s why he keeps reinventing himself, refusing to stay stagnant, and always finding ways to add value.
The Future: Built on Trust, Strategy, and Unshakable Resilience
As the hospitality industry evolves, one thing remains certain—adaptation is the key to survival.
Henry isn’t just adapting. He’s leading. He’s setting the trends that others will follow.
For any entrepreneur struggling with self-doubt, for any business owner afraid of making the wrong move, Henry’s journey is a reminder:
You don’t have to be fearless. You just have to keep going.
Connect with Henry Kaminski Jr.
If you’re a restaurateur or hospitality brand looking to take your marketing to the next level, Henry and his team at Brand to Table are there to help.
Find Henry Kainski Jr. on Instagram or visit his website.
Your next level is waiting. The only question is—are you ready to rise?
Tom is a lifelong New Jersey resident, Rutgers and FDU alumni and the publisher of The Digest.
