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Mole Poblano Restaurant
SUCCESS STORIES
INITIAL SITUATION
Javier Rios came to America 20 years ago with his family and a heart full of hopes and dreams. Back home in Mexico, he had been a successful business owner running his own transportation company, but here, in the Mexican Market corridor of South 9th Street in Philaldephia, he was able to start a business out of his passion to provide an authentic Mexican experience through service and fine quality food.
When him and his family came to the United States, they used all their capital, skills and knowledge to build their own version of The American Dream. It was Javier’s parents who started selling Mexican food out on the streets in the neighborhood. Soon enough they were able to get a lease to a small storefront, while Javier and his brother Pedro continued to work professionally on the restaurant industry. 7 years ago, Javier decided to take the plunge and leave his position at Philadelphia's Center City Restaurant Alma de Cuba to take over his parents’ restaurant.
HOW THE SBDC HELPED
Quote:
“I want to thank Andrea, from Widener SBDC and Nicole Marcote from The Welcoming Center for their help in ensuring we get all the information we need in our own language, and guiding us through the processes of funding applications to sustain our businesses. We couldn’t have done it without you!” “The masterclass in digital marketing was my motivation to find new ways to run our business and makes us more competitive in the industry”
While the restaurant had been doing well, the Covid-19 pandemic brought to light a new series of challenges to restaurant management. However, thanks to a partnership with The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians and Widener SBDC, Javier found the technical assistance, tools, and motivation to keep going and eventually found hope. Javier has been a client at Widener SBDC for about a year and has attended multiple webinars, masterclasses as well as online and in-person consulting. Through our services and partnership with The Welcoming Center, Javier was able to achieve the following success presented below:
SUCCESS
He is working on a plan towards expanding and opening a catering business in addition to his restaurant; has received more than $30,000 in grant funding to support his operations and is currently reporting an increase in sales revenue despite the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, he was able to keep all his staff and is looking to add 5 more members to the team at his restaurant.
Through guidance and participation in funding opportunities that resulted in the expanded patio of his restaurant, saved 12 jobs and increased revenues in 2021.
BUSINESS LOCATION
1144 S. 9th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
