What is the secret to this amazing, best burger I’ve ever had? I asked these brothers. With a humble, excited glance, the brothers responded, “It starts with quality. The best, freshest ingredients, great meat, real block cheese, and a perfect meat-to-bun ratio”. They paused without hesitation while nodding in agreement “but the true heart of this burger and business is our workers”. To them, taking care of their staff, treating them like family is an extremely crucial element to their successful business. It all goes together.
Meet John and Mark, born and raised in Rock Springs, WY. These brothers embody the spirit of hard work, family, humility, service, community, and playing the infinite game of life. Their upbringing as they recalled was in a close-knit neighborhood of numerous kids, where days were spent freely outdoors, instilling a deep sense of connection, belonging and responsibility to something larger than themselves.
Returning to their roots after their professional careers, John and Mark embraced the legacy of their father, a pharmacist in the 50s whose business once stood across the street from their current location. When rising rents in the 80s threatened their father’s livelihood, the family didn’t panic or wait for the perfect plan for the future. Instead, they acted with grit and unity in the moment, rallying together and pooling their resources to purchase the building across the way.
That building, now known as Bi-Rite, stands as more than just a business location, it is a living testament to their family’s relentless determination and commitment to one another. Rather than being paralyzed by what lay ahead, they focused on what could be done right then, proving that resilience is often about taking one step at a time, rooted in loyalty and hard work, instead of obsessing over the uncertainties of the future.
After their father’s retirement in the 90s, John and Mark took the reins, demonstrating their hard work and vision by transforming part of the existing pharmacy into the Remedies we know today. This pivotal move wasn’t just about starting a new business; it was a strategic pivot in response to the changing landscape of the pharmaceutical business, which was becoming increasingly challenging for independent pharmacies. They recognized the need to adapt and diversify. This highlights a powerful lesson, especially in today’s fast-paced world, our ability to be flexible and adapt is critical both in dealing with external uncertainty and with each other. At its heart, this is a lesson about humanity, the courage to embrace uncertainty with a courageous heart to try something different.
They often recall the ambitious renovation as a true community effort, with friends and family pitching in, their collective labor laying the foundation for what was to come. Though the early days of Remedies, which was born in February 1997, were uncertain, their dedication and perseverance began to yield results after five to seven years.
Their belief in the long haul, in the idea that business and life are about endurance rather than a finish line, kept them grounded. This is the essence of the infinite game mindset: understanding that the goal isn’t to “win” but to keep building, adapting, and sustaining for the future. This mindset and attitude led to the significant expansion of the restaurant in 2014, solidifying their place in the community. Their journey exemplifies how adaptability and a strong community foundation can enable a business to thrive amidst evolving industry conditions. When asked where the name Remedies came from, they replied “our sister suggested the name.”
Their secret to a good burger goes beyond the quality of ingredients. It is an invaluable lesson their father taught them, which is to prioritize customer service, accepting feedback, and most importantly treating employees with respect. This emphasis on people, both customers and their dedicated team, showcases their understanding of the importance of community in building a sustainable business.
When asked what their advice to anyone was, they echoed their own journey, “find work you love, so it doesn’t feel like work, and approach it with a mindset that transcends the finite goal of retirement”. Their daily satisfaction, even in the face of tasks like shoveling snow in the cold Wyoming winter months, doing dishes, working alongside their kitchen staff exemplifies their joy in the process and their commitment to the infinite game of building something lasting within their Rock Springs community.
The life lessons from John and Mark’s journey remind us that true success is not about chasing quick wins or reaching an endpoint like retirement, but about playing the long game, building something lasting and meaningful. Their story shows the power of valuing community and family, adapting to change when challenges arise, and respecting people by treating employees like family and listening to customers. Just as important, they teach that fulfillment is found in loving the work itself, finding joy even in simple or difficult tasks, and recognizing that the process, not just the outcome, is what truly matters.
They demonstrate the importance of finding joy in one’s work and adopting a long-term perspective, or “playing the infinite game,” rather than solely focusing on an end goal like retirement. Ultimately, their journey emphasizes the significance of building upon a legacy while staying connected to and investing in their local community.
