Jackson Connery

“If I didn’t have Business Blueprint and Resy, I would always be on my laptop instead of where I’m most suited: creating a vibe in the dining room.”

Jackson Connery

Real American Express customer who was aware that their testimonial may be featured by American Express. Testimonials shared reflect individual experiences and results.

The perfect pairing: With American Express Business Blueprint™ and Resy, the gourmet brunch potential is bottomless

In a culinary scene crowded with greasy spoons, Jackson Connery is putting an upscale spin on the traditional brunch.

Entering his spacious House of Brunch in Spokane, Washington, guests are greeted with indulgence. The all-day brunch menu contains decadent twists on the classics, from caviar and house-cured salmon to “flambé cinnamon rolls” and Benedicts topped with whole lobster tail.

High-end champagne options and locally sourced ingredients speak to the restaurant’s commitment to luxury. But Connery is also cognizant of providing something for everyone, with quick grab-and-go options and relaxed patio seating for those seeking a more casual meal.

“I wanted to make the best brunch in the world and also make it gangster,” jokes the restaurateur. “I really just ran with the idea.”

Behind every Instagrammable French omelet is a story of passion and innovation. And helping him run his celebrated establishment, Connery reports, is the pairing of products and the online digital experience, both chosen to help make his job easier and more efficient. He says Business Blueprint helps him streamline cash flow management and Resy helps him improve service and deepen customer engagement. It’s played a huge part in Connery’s success.

From behind-the-scenes to small business ownership

Connery has deep industry roots. As a teenager, he washed dishes in a fine dining restaurant before taking odd jobs in various eateries. His experiences range from opening a new restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, to holding managerial positions in a corporate chain. But the pivotal gig was his time at an elite club resort in Montana, where he was exposed to high culinary standards and trained as a sommelier.

Inspired by a rustic Champagne breakfast he made in 2021 while vacationing at his mother’s place in Florida, Connery embarked on a relentless pursuit to launch his own brunch spot. His passion soon became an obsession, he says, as he translated his dreams into a 45-page “bible” of budget projections, market analysis, and logos. Yet, despite his meticulous planning and the support of a trusted coworker who shared his vision, the road to realization was fraught with challenges.

That fall, clad in a three-piece suit, Connery approached a bank for a loan, only to be met with skepticism. The aftermath of Covid-19 had left investors wary, he says, and the quest for funding felt futile. Yet Connery’s resolve never wavered. Through sheer perseverance, he and his business partner pieced together the necessary funding. Soon after, they secured a prime location in eastern Washington, a former sushi house on West Riverside Ave.

“I was told no quite a few times,” he says. “But nothing was going to stop me.”

Transforming the new space demanded a Herculean effort. In just 90 days, Connery and his team gutted and redesigned the venue. The House of Brunch opened in March 2023 with a staff of 25, a youthful and trendsetting clientele – and a top-shelf financial toolkit.

Turning Membership into rewards 

Connery’s relationship with American Express began early in his career. Starting out with a Business Green Card, he soon switched to a Business Platinum Card®. “I’m American Express’s biggest fan,” he says with a laugh. “It was a no-brainer to use the [Business Platinum] when we opened our place.”

Offering benefits tailored for business owners, including Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases, comprehensive travel perks like access to the Global Lounge Collection® and Marriott Bonvoy® Gold Elite Status, and premium customer service, the Business Platinum Card offers elevated travel experiences. Connery loves to earn Membership Rewards® points and enjoys the freedom to travel with luxury. “I visit all the Centurion Lounges,” he shares.

Strategic use of business tools

In July 2023, Connery took a significant leap toward optimizing his financial operations by opening an American Express® Business Checking account, a process he describes as effortless and completed “with a few clicks of a button.” Business Checking has no monthly fees and no minimum balance requirements, and it offers a competitive APY on balances up to $500k. The account’s Business Debit Card makes everyday purchases and ATM withdrawals straightforward and seamless. Members can even convert the Membership Rewards® points they earn into deposits to their Business Checking account.*

Connery praises his Business Checking account’s competitive interest rate and the seamless all-digital experience it offers, highlighting the ease of transferring funds between his different bank accounts. “The user-friendliness of it is just outstanding,” he says, citing the efficiency his account brings to his bustling restaurant.

In the early days of 2024, Connery faced a critical moment for House of Brunch, as unexpected issues threatened its survival. The resolution came through the swift and decisive use of a separate American Express® Business Line of Credit, a product Connery credits with saving his establishment. With a few simple clicks, he says, he was able to quickly apply and get approved for funds that were directly deposited into his account. This was “an absolute game changer,” he says, enabling the urgent repair and replacement of kitchen equipment and a welcome glow-up aided by new art and furniture.

“When I say Amex provides all those things you absolutely need for a successful operation, I mean it,” says Connery. “Any business owner, especially restaurant guys like me, would be doing themselves and their brand a disservice by not using these tools.”

Managing daily cash flow

Recognizing the need for a streamlined platform to manage his American Express products, Connery integrated American Express Business Blueprint™ into House of Brunch’s daily workflow. Designed to make cash flow management more efficient, Business Blueprint provides a single location where business owners can view a snapshot of their account balances across select American Express products, including Business Cards, Business Checking, and Business Line of Credit. With this free online platform, business owners can link select external business cards and bank accounts to a dashboard that shows a detailed picture of their expenses and revenue. They can also access free cash flow insights to help make informed decisions for the future.

“I’m checking it on the daily,” Connery says. Every morning, he logs into Business Blueprint to gauge the restaurant’s monthly financial status, which “helps me make strategic decisions that ultimately make the restaurant profitable.”

In the restaurant industry, profit margins are famously slim. Staying informed and agile is key. Connery appreciates Business Blueprint for its user-friendly interface and customizable charts and graphs, which allow him to track his finances and focus on his primary passion. “I use the cash flow analytics all the time for a bird’s eye view of where everything’s going,” he says. “Now it’s easy for me to gauge where we’re at, so I can get back to what I do best: being on the dining floor, supporting my team, and meeting my guests.”

Elevating the guest experience

Connery’s choice of Resy as the reservation and table management system for House of Brunch was influenced by its affiliation with American Express. Best known by enthusiastic diners as a place to snag reservations, Resy also provides business owners with an invaluable table management platform. For Connery, the tool has fostered a deeper connection with guests.

Connery reviews Resy’s customer feedback each morning, valuing the direct insights into customer satisfaction and server performance. This feedback loop has become instrumental in maintaining high standards and rectifying any issues before they escalate. “I have their email, I reach out to them personally,” he says, “and next thing you know, they’re coming in and we have them as a regular.”

Resy’s integration with Toast, a comprehensive restaurant point of sale system, and the detailed check data it provides, have streamlined table management and personalized guest interactions – from celebrating birthdays to welcoming regulars by name. “Our regulars have a little star next to them, so we can see if someone has a birthday or an anniversary,” he explains. “That’s how we know when to hit them with the sparklers, and when to say, ‘Welcome back.’”

“It’s all those little details that make the difference between a good restaurant and a just-okay restaurant,” he adds. “With Amex, if you take advantage of all these tools and details Resy provides, you can really get your business operating at a good pace.”

Recipe for success

With any new venture, the stakes can feel as high as a stack of pancakes. And Connery’s alliance with American Express occupies a central role in his business. Wielding American Express and Resy isn’t just prestigious, he says, it’s also a symbol of belonging to an elite cadre of restaurateurs who prioritize exceptional dining. “Amex and Resy are a badge of honor, in a sense,” he muses. “They’re kind of the same camp. The experience of Amex and the culture of Resy.” Connery’s American Express business toolkit helps ensure House of Brunch stays on top of both.

*Membership Rewards® Program – Redeem for Deposits

When you open an American Express® Business Checking Account, you will also receive a Membership Rewards® Account, in which you will earn one Membership Rewards point for every two dollars of eligible Debit Card purchases. Eligible purchases are purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. For more information on eligible purchases, visit membershiprewards.com/terms. You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a deposit into your checking account. Click here to learn what other redemption options may also be available. If you also have a Rewards Account in connection with a Card Account, your Rewards Accounts can be linked, and you will have access to all redemption options offered with that Card Account. For more information, visit membershiprewards.com/terms.

You may redeem Membership Rewards® points for deposits into your American Express® Business Checking Account at the standard rate of 1000 points for an $8 deposit. If you have a Business Platinum Card® and an American Express Business Checking Account linked to the same Membership Rewards Account, you can redeem points for a deposit at a rate of 1000 points for $10 for up to 1,000,000 points per calendar year, after which you may continue to redeem points at the standard rate. There is no minimum number of points needed to use Redeem for Deposits. American Express will deduct the number of points you select from your Membership Rewards Account and deposit a corresponding dollar amount into your checking account. Generally, deposits will post to your account within 48 hours of redemption. For more information, visit membershiprewards.com/terms.