Poway Liquor Owner Shares the 'Philosophy of Business' With His Children

Ask Wally Yakou about his childhood and he’ll tell you about hanging out in his father’s restaurant.  

“You learn from your background, your family,” said Yakou, 48, of time spent with senior. “He’d pick me up at school, have lunch [and say], ‘OK, let’s go to work.’”

Flash forward to now and he’s the one teaching lessons in business. But instead of a table setting, Yakou made his living as a liquor store owner, and now runs on Poway Road.

It’s there that his three kids are learning the “philosophy of business,” which Yakou hopes will carry them through their careers. Frank, 13, wants to be a military scientist, while 14-year-old Crystal has always wanted to be a doctor. His youngest, John, can’t decide.

“He’s 9 years old,” Yakou said. “Whatever he sees he changes his philosophy.”

In the meantime, they’re making some extra cash greeting customers and helping their dad.

“Yesterday, John told me, ‘It’s my turn. I’m going to come to work,” he said. “Crystal comes, but she wants to charge me too much money.”