Richard Thomas began his journey into the restaurant world with a single location and a dream in 2010. Crediting the combination of “his faith, hard work, and a desire to leave a legacy,” The Present House Hospitality Group’s (TPHHG) features three unique brands. TPHHG portfolio includes The Island Spot Jamaican Kitchen & Bar, The Island Spot Resort Villa, and Bone Daddy’s House Smoke. No stranger to hard work, Richard was born and raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica where he managed his family’s small neighborhood grocery store; Richard came to the United States with only $150 to advance his studies at Benedict College majoring in Physics, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, while also captain of the soccer team. Richard continued his education at The Ohio State University and earned his MBA in Strategy & Finance. Before the start of TPHHG, Richard spent his 15-year career at CPG, private equity, and management consulting firms working in finance, procurement, and strategy. Richard’s mission is to expand TPHHG into global company focused on developing “Culturally Craveable Brands” in the food and luxury vacation space Richard’s success in restaurant operations, strategy, and general management are all rooted in his commitment to education; he is also passionate about the importance of sharing his leadership and experience with new generation of entrepreneurs.