Each Wednesday, the Napa Valley Register’s Business Focus asks “10 Questions” of a local entrepreneur or businessperson. Readers are welcome to suggest business people to be profiled.

Sean Knight said his job duties at Cindy Pawlcyn’s three restaurants include everything from customer service to marketing, human resources, finance and menu development.

As Cindy Pawlcyn’s right-hand man, “when she has an idea I make sure it happens,” he said.

Trained as a chef, Knight also has a business degree.

“One of the things I love about Cindy Pawlcyn is that there is no status quo,” Knight said. “She doesn’t rest on her laurels. She’s always looking at how we can make it better. We are a good balance.”

Pawlcyn’s restaurants include Mustards Grill, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen and Go Fish.

Which three people would you most like to have dinner with?

My mother, who passed away when I was 15, my wife, and my two sons. I know this is four, but I think the kids count as one. I would love to have the chance for my mother to meet my family and my family to know what my mom was like.

What job would you like to try/not try?

Try: Formula One race car driver. It has always been a dream to race and Formula One is the pinnacle of racing. 

Not try: Politics. Because no matter how hard you work, you can never satisfy everyone’s needs.

How did you get into this business?

I started as a server in Atlanta at the suggestion of a family friend. I was quickly drawn to the kitchen and found that I had a talent for cooking and liked the energy and fast pace of the business. That was 23 years ago and I still love the business just as much.

What’s on your to-do list?

Relax, learn to play guitar, master Spanish and roll out a new catering company with Cindy.

Whom do you most admire in the business world?

Herbert D. Kelleher the co-founder, and former chairman and CEO of Southwest Airlines. He built his company around his employees and customer service. He said the following about five years ago: “Don’t worry about profit. Think about customer service. Profit is a byproduct of customer service. It’s not an end in and of itself.”

What’s your favorite gift to give?

A perfect card from Pennyweight in St. Helena.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?

I was the executive chef for the Oakland A’s for one year in 2003. I changed over all the menus and brought in a team of chefs to do all of the suite and club level food service at the stadium.

What’s the most significant project you’ve been involved with in your career?

When Mustards Grill had a fire this past February, we were able to get the restaurant reopened in a short period of time and kept all of our staff during the process. 

How has your business been affected by the recession?

The biggest aspect that has been affected has been special events. On the flip side, our restaurants have done fairly well and most are up a little bit over last year. It’s made us focus on our core business, which is giving great quality creative food and service with value.

What other business person(s) would you like to see featured in “10 Questions?”

Cindy Pawlcyn, Mustards Grill, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen and Go Fish.

Joel Gott, owner, Taylor’s Refresher and Joel Gott Winery.

Paul Jeffery, owner, JRA Electrical Engineers Inc.

To suggest a candidate for “10 Questions”      e-mail: jhuffman@napanews.com

For more from Sean Knight, go to www.napavalleyregister.com/business

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced?

Over the past five years, we have assembled a great team of general managers and executive chefs at Mustards Grill, Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen and Go Fish. Continuing to find passionate people like these who want to work in this industry and give great customer service is always a challenge.

I can’t live without: my wife Kristen and our two sons, Rowan and Charlie. They inspire me to be a better person everyday.

What is your favorite charity?

Anything that helps a child.

If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

In the south of France with my wife.

What’s one thing Napa could do to help local business?

As members of this community, we should continue to support our local businesses. The tourists will come and go, but the locals are the foundation of our businesses.

What was your first job?

My older brother, Tim, and I had a lawn service that took care of about 12 yards in the neighborhood when I was 11 years old. It supported our baseball card collecting habit.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish in your lifetime that you haven’t yet?

True balance of work, family and personal time.

What’s the worst job you ever had?

Summer of 1987 doing the waterproofing and roofing of the new Metro train stations in Atlanta. It was 10-hour days in the blazing heat of the south with 100 percent humidity. I could not wait to get back to college.

If you could change one thing about your business, what would it be?

The long hours that this business requires to be successful.ᴀ