Benjamin Nasberg grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, surrounded by a close family, hockey rinks, and a strong sense of community. He started working in restaurants at 16, drawn to the energy of the kitchen and the feeling of being part of a team. Those early jobs taught him discipline, patience, and how much impact one good leader can have on a workplace.
After graduating as valedictorian from Shaftesbury High School, he earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba. But instead of following a traditional path, he trusted his instincts. In 2011, two friends approached him with an opportunity to help grow a small restaurant called Carbone. He saw potential and took the leap.
Nasberg helped expand Carbone from one location to several across North America. Along the way, he launched a nightclub, a sports bar, and an events company. Each venture came from observing what people needed and finding a way to bring those ideas to life.
His work extends beyond business. During the pandemic, he created the Restaurant Emergency Support Fund, which bought meals from local restaurants and delivered them to people facing food insecurity. The program served tens of thousands of meals. He also co-created the Westland–Carbone Culinary Scholarship to support students entering the culinary field.
As CEO of Carbone Restaurant Group, Nasberg leads with consistency, empathy, and commitment. His story shows how curiosity, courage, and purpose can shape a meaningful career — and how big ideas, when paired with action, can create lasting change.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I usually wake up and start the day with a cold plunge or cold shower to kick the body and mind into gear! Then ill take my dog for a walk, even in the Winnipeg winter. It clears my head and helps me separate the day from whatever I was dealing with the night before. Most mornings, I check in with our leadership team and look at overnight reports. I spent years working every job dishwasher, server, bar tender manager — so staying close to the day-to-day keeps me grounded. I’ll then check in with opportunities for growth, and meeting with our investors. Productivity for me isn’t about speed. It’s about alignment. If the team knows the plan and the energy is right, the day flows well.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I start by asking if the idea solves a real problem. When I created the Restaurant Emergency Support Fund, it was because I saw restaurants struggling and food banks running low. The idea came together because the need was obvious. I also sketch things on paper. Run the idea by a few people I trust, like my significant other Nuria who is a very successful entrepreneur. Seeing something physically helps me spot gaps. Then I bring in more people who challenge me. Good ideas survive pressure.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The shift towards eating clean food, that is not super processed, and just eating better quality products to maximize energy. Now people want personal, local, and meaningful experiences. Everyone is seeing how long a big mac can last for like 20 years outside, that kind of food is not the future.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Pomodoro technique, I take “micro breaks.” Even five minutes after a 25 minute work sprint. I’ll step away from my computer and go talk to someone or go outside.. Doing something simple resets my focus.
What advice would you give your younger self?
That who you surround yourself will have key role in your success, starting with the one you decide to spend the rest of your life with. This then also translate to business partners, and then friends. Choose wrong, and you will have an uphill battle. Choose right, and life will feel like a breeze, even through challenges.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
That multi-tasking is impossible
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Commit to never ending learning. Spend one 30mins per day learning about anything. I read about restaurants, business, parenting, longevity.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Relook at my vision board and go for a walk.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Looking for the right people that have the skills that you do not, white continuing to work on my own skills so I can bring value.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in Carbone’s growth, I hired the wrong people and accepted the wrong franchisees. We opened in the wrong locations. The idea was good, but the people and the location was wrong. To fix it, we changed how we hire and how we accept franchise partners, and choose locations.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Find business owners that do not have a retirement plan or plan to sell, and find away to buy the business from them for little to no money out of pocket. Learn from them. Bring in the right people needed to help it succeed. The owner gets to have the legacy of their business continue instead of it going away when they decide to stop working.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
ChatGPT. I use it to organize my travel, ideas, days, weeks and months.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. It gives proven tactical advice on how to accomplish anything you want in life.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Nobody wants this on Netflix. Love watching something that brings something positive to the jewish culture.
Key learnings
- Big ideas gain traction when they solve real, everyday problems.
- Staying close to the right people helps you make grounded decisions.
- Productive habits often involve stepping away, not pushing harder.