The Starling Is Changing Names?! What Happened… (Abbye McGee)

Abbye is back—and this episode doesn’t hold back.

After just a year, Abbye made the decision to sell Ibis. But that was only part of the story. Between running two businesses, navigating a major life transition, and facing a cease-and-desist that’s forcing The Starling to change its name, this might be her most pivotal season yet.

We break down:

• Why she sold Ibis (and what most people don’t understand about bar ownership)
• The reality of running a 7-day-a-week hospitality business
• How Salt and Charm is scaling into its biggest wedding season ever
• The cease-and-desist that’s forcing a full rebrand of The Starling
• Feast Weekend events, food experiences from Napa to Spain, and what great hospitality actually looks like
• The shift from chef to CEO mindset

This is a raw look at entrepreneurship, pressure, and making hard decisions when everything is on the line.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome Back Abbye

01:04 Winter Wins and Feast Plans

02:36 Project X Whiskey Tasting

03:48 Napa Wine Birthday Trip

05:36 Spain Michelin and Food Travel

06:59 Carry On Travel Hacks

08:52 Chicken Tenders Debate

11:23 Building Catering Menus

13:21 Wedding Showcase and Tastings

17:21 Selling Ibis Explained

21:04 Backyard Gym and 75 Hard

24:41 Cornbread Debate

26:23 Cease and Desist Shock

27:42 Picking a New Name

30:04 Too Many Bars Now

33:07 Hospitality That Matters

37:03 Business From Scratch Podcast

42:08 Life as a Business

48:06 Where to Find Them

Follow Abby:

• The Starling (Queen & Co)
• Salt and Charm Catering
• Business From Scratch Podcast