{"id":76056,"date":"2024-10-08T06:04:29","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T13:04:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/?p=76056"},"modified":"2025-04-16T08:46:14","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T15:46:14","slug":"chicago-dishroulette-kitchen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/mozilla-new-products\/chicago-dishroulette-kitchen\/","title":{"rendered":"DishRoulette Kitchen: Empowering Chicago’s entrepreneurs for generational change"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The DishRoulette Kitchen team gathers by a communal table originally from the first restaurant they worked with. Crafted now into a conference table, it remains a symbol of DRK. Credit: Jesus J. Montero<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Jesus J. Montero is an award-winning journalist and passionate storyteller. He\u2019s known for his investigative work covering social justice, music and culture. Jesus J. is also a producer, curating dynamic experiences that highlight culture through storytelling and dialogue. You can follow him on Instagram at @JesusJMontero<\/a>. Photo: Olivia Gatti\n<\/pre>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Community is power. That\u2019s the driving force behind DishRoulette Kitchen, a support hub for local food entrepreneurs in Chicago\u2019s Pilsen neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRK was born in 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It started with an observation from Brian Soto, an accountant who saw firsthand how many of his small business clients were ineligible for government relief programs because they lacked the necessary paperwork or tax documentation. \u201cSo many of these businesses were shut out of crucial government funding,\u201d explained Chris Cole, DRK\u2019s director of partnerships and communications. “Brian realized that this wasn\u2019t just an issue for his clients, but for small businesses across Chicago.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brian partnered with Jackson Flores, and together they founded DRK to address these challenges. The goal was simple: to provide grants, coaching and the financial and operational expertise small businesses needed to survive \u2014 and thrive. From helping businesses manage their taxes to offering guidance on rent and payroll, DRK has since become a lifeline for many local entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re scrappy,\u201d admitted Jackson, DRK\u2019s executive director. “We bootstrapped this entire thing, and we\u2019re going to keep making it happen, no matter what, because the people we serve deserve the chance to thrive, to create the life they\u2019ve always dreamed of.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Support for real-time challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u201cWhen an entrepreneur comes in with a problem, we create a roadmap to turn that into a success,\u201d explained Brian Soto, director of finance at DishRoulette Kitchen. Credit: Jesus J. Montero<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Each member of the DRK team brings a wealth of experience, including from the corporate, finance, tech and hospitality industries. Now, they\u2019re applying those principles back into the community, giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed. Since its inception, DRK has created a space where self-made entrepreneurs can tap into that corporate expertise and gain the resources they need. The team offers tailored workshops, consultations and one-on-one coaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just about the business. It\u2019s about the whole person, the family, the community,\u201d said Hector Pardo, DRK\u2019s director of strategy and operations. \u201cWhen we see one of our entrepreneurs thrive, it\u2019s like popping a bottle of champagne. We\u2019re in this together, and their wins are our wins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For many on the team, this work is personal. DRK Program Analyst Melissa Villalba grew up watching her parents\u2019 small business struggle. She knows firsthand how a resource like DRK could have transformed their experience. \u201cOur parents came here with nothing, but they made it work,\u201d Melissa said. \u201cThat\u2019s what inspires us \u2014 to see what\u2019s possible when you have the right tools and support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRK tailors its guidance to meet the real-time challenges its entrepreneurs face. \u201cWhen an entrepreneur comes in with a problem, we create a roadmap to turn that into a success,\u201d Brian explained. The team adjusts their lessons as needed, evolving alongside the businesses they support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Going digital and beyond<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Each member of the DRK team brings a wealth of experience, including from the corporate, finance, tech and hospitality industries. Credit: Jesus J. Montero<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
A key part of that evolution is helping entrepreneurs build and maintain a digital presence, which is crucial in today\u2019s marketplace. \u201cA digital presence is everything for small businesses now,\u201d Chris noted. \u201cWe help them not just set up websites, but actually understand how to track their traffic, engage with customers online, and manage sales. We walk them through it one-on-one because too many small business owners don\u2019t get formal training in these areas, and they need someone to show them the ropes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRK\u2019s impact goes beyond just small businesses in Chicago. They\u2019ve worked on national partnerships with major organizations like the James Beard Foundation, and even collaborated on a project with Bad Bunny. But their heart remains rooted in supporting local entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve done so many iterations of what we\u2019re doing now, and it\u2019s finally starting to get the attention and support we need,” Jackson added. The team\u2019s diverse leadership is building not only businesses but also a legacy of freedom and opportunity for a new generation of entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DRK is proof that when local businesses thrive, entire communities benefit. What started as an urgent response to a pandemic-induced crisis has transformed into a vital entrepreneurial hub, one that will continue to create ripple effects throughout Chicago\u2019s neighborhoods for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A vibrant mural celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Chicago\u2019s Pilsen neighborhood against the backdrop of the city’s skyline. Credit: Jesus J. Montero<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Chicago\u2019s small business owners are shaping their communities with purpose. In this series<\/a>, we highlight the entrepreneurs behind local gems \u2013 each of them building something bigger than just a business. Through <\/em>Solo<\/em><\/a>, Mozilla\u2019s free AI-powered website creator, they\u2019re exploring new corners of their community online. Check out DishRoulette Kitchen<\/em>‘s <\/em>Solo website here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n  
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Ready to start creating?<\/h3>      Launch your website<\/span>   <\/div>\n<\/a>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jesus J. Montero is an award-winning journalist and passionate storyteller. He\u2019s known for his investigative work covering social justice, music and culture. Jesus J. is also a producer, curating dynamic experiences that highlight culture through storytelling and dialogue. You can follow him on Instagram at @JesusJMontero. Photo: Olivia Gatti Community is power. That\u2019s the driving […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1889,"featured_media":76057,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[464324],"tags":[4708,464259],"coauthors":[464260],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nDishRoulette Kitchen: Empowering Chicago's entrepreneurs for generational change<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"DishRoulette Kitchen empowers Chicago\u2019s small food businesses with financial expertise and community support to drive lasting local impact.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/mozilla-new-products\/chicago-dishroulette-kitchen\/\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/mozilla-new-products\/chicago-dishroulette-kitchen\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/mozilla-new-products\/chicago-dishroulette-kitchen\/\",\"name\":\"DishRoulette Kitchen: Empowering Chicago's entrepreneurs for generational change\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/mozilla-new-products\/chicago-dishroulette-kitchen\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/mozilla-new-products\/chicago-dishroulette-kitchen\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2024\/10\/FireFox-DRK-Jesus-J-Montero-_12-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-08T13:04:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-04-16T15:46:14+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/#\/schema\/person\/ff2a2684ab8dcbe5372151857748455d\"},\"description\":\"DishRoulette Kitchen empowers Chicago\u2019s small food businesses with financial expertise and community support to drive lasting local impact.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/mozilla-new-products\/chicago-dishroulette-kitchen\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/mozilla-new-products\/chicago-dishroulette-kitchen\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/mozilla-new-products\/chicago-dishroulette-kitchen\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2024\/10\/FireFox-DRK-Jesus-J-Montero-_12-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/278\/files\/2024\/10\/FireFox-DRK-Jesus-J-Montero-_12-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707,\"caption\":\"The DishRoulette Kitchen team gathers by a communal table originally from the first restaurant they worked with. 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