Meet Shaun Vail, the General Manager at Honest Abe’s Burgers and Freedom (Meadowlane) (honestabesburgers.com).

Tell us a little about your business. – We are a local gourmet burger joint that’s been open for almost 12 years.

How did you get started in the business? – I moved here in 2013 and needed a job. My cousin was the General manager at the time and helped me get my foot in the door.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Trying to keep up with the ever growing and changing economy for a small business like ours.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Helping my company create systems for a company that is always expanding.

Tell us a little about your family. – I’ve been with my wife for around 15 years. We have a nine year old son and a 18 month old daughter.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Moving from Florida to Nebraska to start a new life.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – On my day off I like to spend time with my kids. We watch a lot of movies and TV shows together.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I have a very large vintage action figure collection.

Who inspires you? – My kids inspire me. Everything I do is for them.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – The difference between being ordinary and extraordinary is the little bit extra.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Caring.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? – Probably “Higher” by Creed.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Teleportation. Would save so much time in my daily life lol.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Singing. Ive been a vocalist for most of my life and was in choir through my entire school years.

Which talent would you most like to have? – I’d like to learn how to play the piano. Just seems super interesting to me.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I’d say either architecture or psychology.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – Give Kids The World. I worked for Perkins for the majority of my career before working here and I think anything that will help the future of our world is very important.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – I really love the Percy Jackson series.

What is your favorite movie? – Too many to choose. I’m a huge fan of Comic book movies and thrillers.

What is your favorite TV show? – Way too many to choose.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – svail@grounduprestaurants.com