gather96_06 somebody Sister feeding the SF State masses by Jennifer Pearson One sister went to a prestigious school to be a chef while the other studied to be a stockbroker. Both ended up buying eateries located in the Cesar Chavez Student Center in hopes of serving great food to the 30,000 students who make their way through the building. Anaheim natives Shannan and Selene Sim, who are the operators of Mi Piace and New York Minute, respectively, have their own stories to tell about running businesses in the sub-basement of the campus' busiest building. Like others who run restaurants at SF State, each owner has a personal life outside of their business, as well as a behind-the-scenes story of how they got there. Some vendors -- such as the owners of Taste, Inc. -- operate restaurants elsewhere, while others like Selene and Shannan are taking their first shot at it. The Sims, who while growing up spent their summers visiting relatives in Walnut Creek, came to San Francisco for different reasons. Shannan, 33, moved to the city in 1984 to attend cooking school at the California Culinary Academy. Five years after graduating, she went back to the school to teach bartending and run the Academy's in-house restaurant. Soon after, she moved to Paris before returning to San Francisco to work in hotels and restaurants. At that time, Shannan became acquainted with the people who currently operated the Grill, located on the ground level of the student center. In fact, in 1989, she helped them open the business. "I really got to know a lot of the people here on campus, and I enjoyed it," she said. Three months later, after a quick move to Italy, she came back to SF State and decided to purchase the pizza business since the owner's contract was up for bids. In September 1992, Shannan opened Mi Piace, named after the Italian saying, "my pleasure." After spending thousands of dollars on renovation, she said she doubled its business. Although Shannan has ample experience doing what she does now, her sister's restaurant experience is not that extensive. In fact, Selene, 32, was a stockbroker who decided to go into the restaurant business only after prompting from her sister. When Shannan opened the pizza place, Selene came from Southern California to help for a while, but soon returned to Charles Schwab. Two years later, the deli, located next door to Mi Piace, was scheduled to close. In 1994 Shannan's friend took over ownership of the deli, but decided it wasn't quite his style and was looking to rid himself of it. At that time, Selene came to the Bay Area because her brother was ill and she wanted to be closer to him -- plus she was tiring of the brokerage business. "It's a man's world and I got sick of working for other people," Selene said. "I enjoyed the freedom when I helped my sister and decided to work for myself." In 1995, she decided to leave that business and take over the bulk of the work at New York Minute, named with the idea of getting people "in and out in a minute." Selene doesn't regret changing her career, but admits she probably never would have thought of doing what she's doing now if her sister hadn't requested her help. Both would agree that running a business on a college campus couldn't be better. "It's really nice because you bust your ass for four months and then have a break and come back and bust your ass for four more months," said Shannan, who added that she enjoys having every weekend off. Selene agreed. "It's wonderful to run your own business and be on your own." But their jobs aren't the only ones to envy. Their employees also get special breaks that many employers don't give. Both vendors, who employ approximately 10 students per location, give advancements, bonuses and pay new workers more than the minimum wage. In addition, the sisters both sell their employees ingredients at wholesale and allow them to take home leftover food on a daily basis. "We help them and they help us," said Selene, adding that their workers are like family to them. In fact, they see themselves as mothers to their employees. In the past they've taken them to Great America, as well as hosted barbeques and sleep-overs. SF State sophomore Susanna Rojas, who has worked for Shannan at Mi Piace for the last three years, has nothing but positive things to say about her employer. "For me, it's great," she said. "It's the best thing to have ever happened to me. I've worked elsewhere, but it's never been like this. "Shannan is more than boss, she's my friend. She's always helping people, and she's so nice to everybody." But they agree neither would be where they are today without the dedication and perseverance of their employees. The Sims -- both unmarried -- work 14 to 16 hours a day filing orders and working on their own, as well as at each other's eateries. All food is made fresh daily, which adds to the straining work they perform along side their employees. Both vendors do catering and large-order delivery on campus, and they also donate approximately $100 monthly to various campus clubs. Shannan beams when she talks about Mi Piace and the students she comes into contact with every day. "For me personally, I like the interaction with the students. I have regulars who I get to know and who even come back to see me after they graduate," she said. "This is my 100 percent commitment and I wouldn't work anywhere else." 000426 what's it to you? who go blather from