Opening a restaurant is tough. Keeping it open is even tougher.

In this episode of Fountain City Founders, we sit down with Hudson Terrell, owner of The Animal Farm and Gabagool in Columbus, GA, to talk about the realities of life in the restaurant business. Hudson shares his journey from dishwasher to entrepreneur, the lessons he learned from renovating historic buildings, and how he built a culture that keeps his team together.

Along the way, he explains why sales “heal everything,” why the so-called safe path can sometimes be the riskiest, and how resilience and leadership have guided him through challenges and growth. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a restaurant regular, or someone chasing your own dream, this conversation offers practical wisdom and inspiration for anyone building something that lasts.