Lessons of Success: Crowdfunding Raise Fuels Tantisimo’s Restaurant Expansion
- Lessons of Success: Crowdfunding Raise Fuels Tantisimo’s Restaurant Expansion Devin Thorpe 25:43
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Devin: What is your superpower?
Ana: I would say just there are so many different ways of phrasing this now in the business community. But the idea is just knowing that you’re going to be able to figure out the obstacle at some point if your vision is strong enough.
Tantisimo, the Latin American restaurant led by Founder and CEO Ana Aguilar, is expanding into a full-scale brick-and-mortar location in Nashville after a successful crowdfunding campaign on Honeycomb Credit. With $84,000 raised through the platform, Ana is closer to realizing her vision of transforming the pop-up concept into a permanent restaurant.
Ana shared the key to her crowdfunding success during today’s episode of Superpowers for Good. She emphasized the hard work and dedication it took to bring together a diverse group of supporters. “It was really fulfilling having those conversations and kind of proving ourselves to all,” she explained. The campaign drew investments from various sources, including her network, business partners, and customers, demonstrating the broad community support for Tantisimo’s mission of bringing farm-to-table Mexican pastries and savory dishes to Nashville.
While $84,000 is a significant milestone, Ana noted that it’s just part of the larger financial puzzle. Partnering with Pathway Lending, a community development fund that supports minority-owned businesses, Tantisimo secured additional financing to cover essential build-out costs, including a liquor license and a larger space to accommodate both AM and PM service. The crowdfunding success also bolstered her credibility with lenders, as she now has 58 community investors backing her.
Ana’s story showcases the power of community-driven funding and its potential to transform dreams into reality. As Tantisimo’s new restaurant prepares to open its doors, the future looks bright for this thriving business.
tl;dr:
* In today’s episode, Ana Aguilar, Founder and CEO of Tantisimo, discussed her successful crowdfunding campaign, which raised $84,000 on Honeycomb Credit to support her restaurant expansion.
* Ana highlighted the importance of community support and the extensive preparation required before launching a crowdfunding campaign, including leveraging personal and professional networks.
* She shared details of Tantisimo’s journey from a pop-up serving Latin American pastries to its forthcoming full-scale restaurant in Nashville, projecting significant revenue Growth.
* Ana emphasized resilience and optimism as her superpower, which helped her navigate unexpected challenges, such as a costly HVAC setback during the restaurant build-out.
* She advised setting boundaries to maintain a positive mindset and focusing on problem-solving rather than dwelling on doubts to cultivate resilience in entrepreneurship.
How to Develop Optimism and Resilience As a Superpower
Ana’s superpower lies in her unwavering optimism and resilience. She possesses the ability to stay focused on her vision, pushing through challenges and obstacles with the belief that she can always figure out a solution. Her strength lies in maintaining a positive outlook while actively working toward her goals every day.
Ana encountered a major setback during the build-out of her restaurant when she discovered the HVAC system was severely underpowered. Initially quoted at $8,500, the true cost ballooned to over $120,000. Despite this daunting challenge, Ana remained composed, trusted her ability to find a solution, and worked with her landlord to bring the building up to restaurant-ready standards. Her optimism and resilience helped her navigate this significant hurdle without losing sight of her end goal.
Actionable Tips for Developing the Superpower:
* Set Boundaries: Protect your mental space by setting boundaries with people who bring doubt or negativity. Spend time with those who encourage problem-solving and open your mind to possibilities.
* Maintain Balance: Allow some room for hearing concerns, but don’t let them dominate your thinking. Ana suggests limiting exposure to doubts to about 10% of your mental space to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
* Stay Focused on Solutions: When faced with obstacles, focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on the problem. Trust yourself to navigate challenges as they come.
By following Ana Aguilar’s example and advice, you can make optimism and resilience a skill. With practice and effort, you could make it a superpower that enables you to do more good in the world.
Remember, however, that research into success suggests that building on your own superpowers is more important than creating new ones or overcoming weaknesses. You do you!
Guest Profile
Ana Aguilar (she/her):
Founder/CEO, Tantisimo
About Tantisimo: Tantísimo is a farm-to-table restaurant offering small plates, craft cocktails, and experiences celebrating Latin America. We provide consistently excellent meals that tell a story and leave our guests inspired and more connected to their world. We do this with particular concern for the planet, the well-being of our team, the enrichment of our community, and the advancement of our industry.
Website: tantisimo.com
Company Facebook Page: fb.com/aytantisimo
Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/aytantisimo
Instagram Handle: @aytantisimo
Other URL: invest.honeycombcredit.com/campaigns/Tantisimo
Biographical Information: As the CEO, treasurer, and creative director of Tantisimo, Ana guides the company’s vision and fosters its unique culture while also diving into the trenches of financial management, marketing, and communications. Ana is deeply involved in the culinary direction of the restaurant, rolling up her sleeves to oversee the pastry and bar programs and ensuring that every menu item reflects the brand’s commitment to excellence. With a passion for Innovation and a hands-on approach, Ana leads her team to create unforgettable experiences and set new industry benchmarks.
Personal Facebook Profile: fb.com/holaanaaguilar
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