El Sabor Chapin
El Sabor Chapin
Relief & Recovery Grant, 2022
One of the only restaurants in South Philadelphia specializing in Guatemalan and Honduran cuisine, El Sabor Chapin was purchased by Jose Rodriguez Guardado and his wife, Vanesa, in 2020 though they weren’t able to get their doors open until early 2022. Unbeknownst to him at the time, the purchase included $8,000 in
past-due utility debt that had been accrued by the prior owner. The inherited debt created a tremendous barrier to profitability, as well as additional stress for Jose. TMF awarded a Relief & Recovery grant of $70,000 to get El Sabor Chapin current on the utilities, as well as for marketing.
Jose also took advantage of TM F’s Beyond the Grant program and received coaching from George with support from Leah Reisman a Board Member of the Asociaci6n de Empresarios Mexicanos en Philadelphia and formerly with Puentes de Salud, the partner who initially referred El Sabor Chapin for a grant. In the six months since they’ve been working together, Jose has turned operations around from monthly losses to strong monthly profits, created and implemented a simple bookkeeping system that works for him and his business, found a new accountant-improving the quality of his tax filings-and worked towards increasing his restaurant’s visibility.
In Jose’s words, the funds and coaching he received “helped me in so many ways. I have been able to generate more income, bring in more clients, and have more control over the business. We are freer, and we can take better care of our daughters.”
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Connect with The Merchants Fund on social media to stay updated on grant cycles, applications, and inspiring grantee stories.
The Spring Stabilization Grant Cycle is officially open! Click the link in our bio for more details and to start your application. Application closes March 31st.
Second slide: 2024 Stabilization Grant recipient, @nvmyeyewear33 (📷: @chriskendigphotography)
The Spring Stabilization Grant Cycle is officially open! Click the link in our bio for more details and to start your application. Application closes March 31st.
Second slide: 2024 Stabilization Grant recipient, @nvmyeyewear33 (📷: @chriskendigphotography)
Small business owners: What have been your successes and challenges this year, and what is your outlook for the future?
The Federal Reserve is seeking your feedback in this year’s Small Business Credit Survey. Join the thousands of for-profit small businesses who complete the survey to voice what you are experiencing. Survey closes November 1; link in bio.
#SmallBusinessCreditSurvey #SmallBusiness #federalreserve
Small business owners: What have been your successes and challenges this year, and what is your outlook for the future?
The Federal Reserve is seeking your feedback in this year’s Small Business Credit Survey. Join the thousands of for-profit small businesses who complete the survey to voice what you are experiencing. Survey closes November 1; link in bio.
#SmallBusinessCreditSurvey #SmallBusiness #federalreserve
The Fall Stabilization Grant Cycle is open! Stabilization Grants support projects that will help a business overcome an obstacle limiting its ability to operate at full capacity or help a business to grow. Read more on our website and apply using the link in bio! The application closes September 30th.
The Fall Stabilization Grant Cycle is open! Stabilization Grants support projects that will help a business overcome an obstacle limiting its ability to operate at full capacity or help a business to grow. Read more on our website and apply using the link in bio! The application closes September 30th.
Vault + Vine is a cafe and thoughtfully curated retail space founded in 2017 in East Falls, Philadelphia. At the heart of their shop is love for their community and a desire to create, promote, and connect with their neighbors. Their vision is to create a community of businesses and customers that supports, promotes, and celebrates the local and global economy and by demanding accountability in every aspect of the supply chain.
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#smallbusinesssupport #phillymerchant #phillysmallbusiness #communityempowerment #communitywealthbuilding #businesscoaching #financialassistance
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Check out @vaultandvine.co for more details about this inspiring small business. If you’re one of our grantees interested in having your story told, please feel free to DM us!
Vault + Vine is a cafe and thoughtfully curated retail space founded in 2017 in East Falls, Philadelphia. At the heart of their shop is love for their community and a desire to create, promote, and connect with their neighbors. Their vision is to create a community of businesses and customers that supports, promotes, and celebrates the local and global economy and by demanding accountability in every aspect of the supply chain.
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#smallbusinesssupport #phillymerchant #phillysmallbusiness #communityempowerment #communitywealthbuilding #businesscoaching #financialassistance
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Check out @vaultandvine.co for more details about this inspiring small business. If you’re one of our grantees interested in having your story told, please feel free to DM us!
We are excited to announce that the Spring cycle of our ‘2024 Stabilization Grant Program’ is now live!
Stabilization Grants provide funding of up to $10,000 to help a business stabilize in the face of adversity, take advantage of an opportunity to grow, or increase profitability.
Visit merchantsfund.org/grants/stabilization for more info and when you’re ready to apply, click the link in our bio!
#phillysupportphilly #phillymerchants #phillysmallbusiness
We are excited to announce that the Spring cycle of our ‘2024 Stabilization Grant Program’ is now live!
Stabilization Grants provide funding of up to $10,000 to help a business stabilize in the face of adversity, take advantage of an opportunity to grow, or increase profitability.
Visit merchantsfund.org/grants/stabilization for more info and when you’re ready to apply, click the link in our bio!
#phillysupportphilly #phillymerchants #phillysmallbusiness
Coffee Cream & Dreams is a cafe that offers an inviting atmosphere whether you’re looking to relax with a refreshing beverage outdoors or curl up in one of their cozy chairs indoors. With a commitment to delighting customers with every sip of coffee or tea they enjoy in-store or take home with them, they earn our small business spotlight for their the excellent quality and utilization of their grant to create an impact on their community.
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#smallbusinessempowerment #phillysupportphilly #phillymerchants #smallbusinessspotlight #coffeeshop
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Check out @coffeecreamanddreams and stop by their shop on Fairmount Ave to taste their quality beverages for yourself!
Coffee Cream & Dreams is a cafe that offers an inviting atmosphere whether you’re looking to relax with a refreshing beverage outdoors or curl up in one of their cozy chairs indoors. With a commitment to delighting customers with every sip of coffee or tea they enjoy in-store or take home with them, they earn our small business spotlight for their the excellent quality and utilization of their grant to create an impact on their community.
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#smallbusinessempowerment #phillysupportphilly #phillymerchants #smallbusinessspotlight #coffeeshop
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Check out @coffeecreamanddreams and stop by their shop on Fairmount Ave to taste their quality beverages for yourself!
Vientiane Cafe is known to locals as a Lao and Thai fusion restaurant. Established in 2002, it became the first restaurant in the Philadelphia area to offer Lao dishes with a twist. The bistro’s rich history combined with their commitment to utilize their grant to improve their business and the community around them earns them this week’s inspiring grantee spotlight.
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#smallbusiness #phillymerchants #smallbusinessupport #equitableaccess #diverseentrepreneurs
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Check out @vientianebistro at their West Philly and Kensington locations to see for yourself how this inspiring grantee continues to thrive.
Vientiane Cafe is known to locals as a Lao and Thai fusion restaurant. Established in 2002, it became the first restaurant in the Philadelphia area to offer Lao dishes with a twist. The bistro’s rich history combined with their commitment to utilize their grant to improve their business and the community around them earns them this week’s inspiring grantee spotlight.
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#smallbusiness #phillymerchants #smallbusinessupport #equitableaccess #diverseentrepreneurs
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Check out @vientianebistro at their West Philly and Kensington locations to see for yourself how this inspiring grantee continues to thrive.
Grant Blvd is one of our inspiring grantees from 2022. Grant Blvd is not just a retail clothing store, but a mission that serves as a response to persistent economic injustice and marginalization. They use fashion to create employment opportunities and points of exposure to the skills we all need to find long term peace, making it their mission to design radically inclusive pathways that pursue the long term plan of progressing our collective good. Grant Blvd is about the only way forward. For more information, visit their website: https://www.grantblvd.com/pages/our-story
#smallbusinesssupport #diversemerchants #sustainablebusiness #empowerphilly #merchantstories #womenentrepreneurs #equitableacess
Grant Blvd is one of our inspiring grantees from 2022. Grant Blvd is not just a retail clothing store, but a mission that serves as a response to persistent economic injustice and marginalization. They use fashion to create employment opportunities and points of exposure to the skills we all need to find long term peace, making it their mission to design radically inclusive pathways that pursue the long term plan of progressing our collective good. Grant Blvd is about the only way forward. For more information, visit their website: https://www.grantblvd.com/pages/our-story
#smallbusinesssupport #diversemerchants #sustainablebusiness #empowerphilly #merchantstories #womenentrepreneurs #equitableacess
#smallbusiness #businesscoaching #phillysmallbusiness #philadelphiabusiness #merchantstories #diversemerchants #smallbusinesssupport #smallbiz
#smallbusiness #businesscoaching #phillysmallbusiness #philadelphiabusiness #merchantstories #diversemerchants #smallbusinesssupport #smallbiz
Enjoy all-you-can eat authentic Mexican food from some of the best restaurants in town all in one location at Bok on Thursday, September 28th at 6:00 pm. The 2nd Annual Taco Fiesta is a celebration of Mexican cuisine and culture in support of the work of the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia. Desserts, aguas frescas, giveaways, live music and a fashion design performance included!
Be sure to invite your friends and colleagues to network while supporting our mission to empower immigrant-owned businesses in Philadelphia.
Thank you to our participating restaurants!
o Adelita Mexican Taqueria & Restaurant
o Alma del Mar
o El Mezcal Cantina
o Los 4 Soles
o Los Taquitos de Puebla
o Marco`s Fish & Crab House
o Mole Poblano Restaurant
o PhillyTacos
o Tamalex Resturant
o Taqueria Morales
o Tortilleria San Roman
Link in bio!
Enjoy all-you-can eat authentic Mexican food from some of the best restaurants in town all in one location at Bok on Thursday, September 28th at 6:00 pm. The 2nd Annual Taco Fiesta is a celebration of Mexican cuisine and culture in support of the work of the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia. Desserts, aguas frescas, giveaways, live music and a fashion design performance included!
Be sure to invite your friends and colleagues to network while supporting our mission to empower immigrant-owned businesses in Philadelphia.
Thank you to our participating restaurants!
o Adelita Mexican Taqueria & Restaurant
o Alma del Mar
o El Mezcal Cantina
o Los 4 Soles
o Los Taquitos de Puebla
o Marco`s Fish & Crab House
o Mole Poblano Restaurant
o PhillyTacos
o Tamalex Resturant
o Taqueria Morales
o Tortilleria San Roman
Link in bio!
“Marcos and Alma own a beloved, local seafood spot in South Philly — @marcosfishandcrabhouse — and are also known for also being featured on Season 5 of Queer Eye on Netflix! Down the street, Nacho owns another loved Mexican-owned business named — "Taquitos de Puebla" and serves a very special Sopa Azteca, grilled nopales, and other exquisite Mexican dishes.
Both businesses have unfortunately been victims of vandalism and recently had their vehicles stolen in the summer of 2023. One was a refrigerated truck, which has been especially difficult for `Marco`s Fish` as their fish is fresh each day and requires transit to the restaurant. Now, without the truck, Marcos and Alma`s business is at stake. Nacho also cannot make required pickups for his restaurant`s ingredients.”
Link in bio to donate
“Marcos and Alma own a beloved, local seafood spot in South Philly — @marcosfishandcrabhouse — and are also known for also being featured on Season 5 of Queer Eye on Netflix! Down the street, Nacho owns another loved Mexican-owned business named — "Taquitos de Puebla" and serves a very special Sopa Azteca, grilled nopales, and other exquisite Mexican dishes.
Both businesses have unfortunately been victims of vandalism and recently had their vehicles stolen in the summer of 2023. One was a refrigerated truck, which has been especially difficult for `Marco`s Fish` as their fish is fresh each day and requires transit to the restaurant. Now, without the truck, Marcos and Alma`s business is at stake. Nacho also cannot make required pickups for his restaurant`s ingredients.”
Link in bio to donate
We’re a proud recipient of @phillysjunited’s Partnership Grant Program. And we’re in great company! TMF is one of 100 grantees from a diverse network of organizations in Greater Philadelphia whose work helps people and families thrive. Learn more > https://unitedforimpact.org/nonprofit-partners/
We’re a proud recipient of @phillysjunited’s Partnership Grant Program. And we’re in great company! TMF is one of 100 grantees from a diverse network of organizations in Greater Philadelphia whose work helps people and families thrive. Learn more > https://unitedforimpact.org/nonprofit-partners/