Meet Haley Senne | Young Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Haley Senne and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Haley, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I am half Filipino, half American, born and raised on the beautiful island of Guam! It is a U.S. territory situated in the Micronesia region and is truly the definition of paradise. Guam’s culture is a warm and inviting way of living with a heavy emphasis on respect, hospitality, family, and community. Being immersed in a value driven culture most of my life has instilled in me the morals and principles that I continue to live by today and use as the foundation of my upcoming restaurant. I have been absolutely blessed with the opportunity to share my roots through food and to create a welcoming space where everyone is family.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Legends Pacific Island Grill is a family-owned restaurant in Greer, South Carolina. Its name is inspired by the legends and myths of the Pacific Islands, such as Two Lovers Point on the island of Guam. At Legends, you can expect to get a taste of local favorites from Guam, Hawaii, and the Philippines. Unlike traditional barbecue spots found in South Carolina, island barbecue is known for its overnight marination before being grilled to perfection and accompanied by rice and a local side dish. The idea of Legends came to be when my family and I moved to South Carolina from Guam, where we lived for the past 25 years. Being far from home meant we had to bring home here, and what better way to do so than through an islander’s love language – food.

To say opening a restaurant is difficult is an understatement. There is a multitude of moving parts that go unseen as a customer, so being on the opposite side of it has been very humbling. I have experienced quite a few challenges and continue to experience new challenges every day, but I am fortunate enough to have an amazing support system that helps me overcome obstacles. Throughout my business journey thus far, I have learned the value of flexibility. While planning is a crucial element in business, business growth is unattainable without the ability to adjust and adapt to change. The advancement of Legends is truly a product of multiple adjustments and challenges overcome. I hold Legends near and dear to my heart, not only because of the hard work that was poured into its creation but also because it is a vessel for sharing my culture with others. I am extremely proud of where I come from, and I am most excited to share a glimpse of my culture with South Carolina through great food and great service.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Greenville, South Carolina is a beautiful area with beautiful people and a variety of great things to do. To give my friend the ultimate Greenville experience, we would head downtown to eat dinner at one of my favorite Japanese restaurants, O-ku. To end the night, we would grab boba at Feng Cha before taking a leisure walk across Liberty Bridge to admire the waterfalls below. Next on the itinerary for the week would be to drive up the mountains to visit Bald Rock Heritage Preserve and Pretty Place Chapel. This was an absolute must-do when I visited Greenville as a child, so I love sharing the endless views with my friends and family. Our itinerary would also consist of riding bikes down Swamp Rabbit Trail and a visit to the Swamp Rabbit Cafe to pick up some of their freshly baked bread. To complete the week, we would head out in the morning to grab brunch at Select, a restaurant in the heart of downtown Greer. We would follow up brunch with a visit to a few of the nearby boutiques and a stroll through the beautiful Greer City Park. There is so much to do, see, and explore in South Carolina. The possibilities are endless!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My journey to where I am today has taught me a lot about the importance of community. I am so thankful for the continual love and support of my friends and family. I specifically want to shoutout Selena Elicio, my former boss but forever friend, for igniting my passion for the restaurant industry. She is incredibly talented at what she does, and I aspire to be just like her every day. I want to acknowledge my fiancé, D’Angelo Gallardo for putting in all the hard work along side of me. His work ethic continues to inspire me to reach new heights. I also want to shoutout my mom, Jennifer Senne, for all the wisdom she has given me to help me grow throughout my journey. I am who I am today because of her. Finally, I want to give a huge shoutout to my dad, Darrin Senne, for helping me bring my visions to life. He has been the greatest mentor and role model throughout my journey. Words can’t even begin to describe the depth of gratitude I have for him and all he has done for me.

Website: https://legendspacificislandgrill.com

Image Credits
Jennifer Senne