CheSa is the owner of CheSa's Bistro and Bar in Chicago, IL.
August is Black Business Month, and we are honored to be celebrating the accomplishments of all the incredible Black-owned businesses that have enriched our communities.
CheSa is one such business owner in Chicago, and her story of determination, creativity, and resilience is an incredible reminder of what it means to adapt in pursuit of a dream.
A Life-changing Discovery
CheSa was pregnant when she learned that a new baby wasn’t the only big life change she’d have to navigate – she was diagnosed with Celiac disease and would need to shift to a new gluten-free diet. Rather than restricting herself to the (often limited) gluten-free options that were available, CheSa became determined to create delicious gluten-free recipes of her own. She started off with rice bowls and salads and continued to develop these recipes and test them on friends and family, which led her to start a gluten-free catering business.
Taking Her Business on the Road
A year into her gluten-free journey, CheSa had the idea to take things a step further: a gluten-free food truck. By chance, she happened to find an abandoned food truck and was able to track down the owners, who agreed to sell her the truck. Only a day after the truck was purchased, CheSa officially opened her gluten-free food truck to participate in the Chicago Food Truck Festival – talk about determination!
Festivals became a great way for CheSa to get her food truck’s name out there, as she was usually the only truck that was gluten-free. She even expanded her menu to recreate gluten-free versions of the foods that people love to find at food trucks, settling into her niche offerings at the festivals.
A Timely Encounter
In 2020, Self-Help had a new branch in the Chatham area of Chicago, IL, and we chose to hire CheSa to cater the grand opening. After the event, CheSa decided to reach out to Self-Help to discuss options for expanding her business, including her next venture – opening a gluten-free restaurant.
Self-Help worked with CheSa to secure a space and start renovations with one of our loans. Opening a restaurant often comes with its own challenges and lessons learned, and CheSa was (unfortunately) no exception. As CheSa was getting the restaurant ready to open, one of the contractors she hired ended up stealing $30k from her. Despite this setback, CheSa was able to push through, and CheSa’s Bistro offically opened in October 2022.
Perseverance Pays Off
CheSa is the owner of CheSa's Bistro and Bar in Chicago, IL.
While getting to opening day was a huge feat, it wasn’t the end of the challenges to come. Only nine months after opening, CheSa suffered a near-fatal stroke and had to close the restaurant while she recovered. She was able to reopen 3 months later and got to work rebuilding the business. She adapted by hosting influencer events, where she invited influencers and bloggers to her restaurant, giving them a chance to taste her food and share their experience with their audiences. With consistency, a supportive PR team, and strategic marketing moves like these events, she was able to re-establish her following.
Her hard work paid off – this year, her restaurant’s food truck was one of only five trucks (out of hundreds considered) that were chosen to be present at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. CheSa’s Bistro & Bar was also included on . What an accomplishment!
CheSa is proud to be able to create a safe space for people with gluten allergies, and we are proud to have been able to support CheSa on her journey of building an impactful small business. Congratulations on your achievements, CheSa!
If you’re a business owner in need of financing, learn more about our small business loans.
If you’re in the Chicago area, make sure to check out CheSa’s Bistro and Bar for a delicious gluten-free meal: chesasbistro.com
3235 W Addison St, Suite C
Chicago, IL 60618