If you’re going to dream, it might as well be big. Tarik Solomon knows that better than most. The young managing partner of Providence’s State Ultra Lounge would seem to have his hands full overseeing a staff of 25 with his partner, Alex Tomasso.
“It’s a lot of leg work, hustling, negotiating, managing [and] marketing,” Solomon wrote in his 40 Under 40 application. He’s been on the job one year but says he’s already working on opening a couple of new places in Rhode Island.
And he doesn’t plan to stop there.
“I am extremely ambitious. My dream … really is to be international, with a management group” overseeing a chain of establishments, he told Providence Business News.
Solomon has seemingly been prepping for big things for years. He studied business administration for two years at the American University of Beirut. He also studied hotel management in Switzerland.
He’s also earned a bachelor’s in hospitality management from Johnson & Wales University, from which he graduated magna cum laude.
Though only 25, he’s also managed to gain experience as a meeting planner for Sun Valley Resort in Idaho and has worked in several upscale restaurants, including Ruth’s Chris Steak House. At the latter, he was banquet captain and consistently collected more in tips than fellow waiters.
“I was always chasing the opportunity, not the money,” he wrote.
Through charity events at State Ultra Lounge and advocacy work with Providence Nightlife Association, he’s become active in the local community and industry.
As for his business success to date, he credits his partner and an undying commitment to customer service.
“I believe consistency is key,” he wrote. “I train and work [tirelessly] with my staff to achieve that.” •
