New and existing business owners from greater Orange County came together on Wednesday, November 20, to give their businesses more visibility and, more importantly, to grow and connect with other business owners at an Accelerate event hosted by What Now Media Group.
The free event at the lively Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria at 350 E 17th Street, Site #2, hosted more than 30 representatives from businesses featured on What Now Orange County and more than a dozen industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners. Attendees mingled while enjoying bites and beverages.
While guests went to the private upstairs area and began to snack on chips and ceviche from the taqueria, chef and owner Zach Ficke welcomed everyone to his restaurant, which replaced FishBonz Seafood Grill about a year ago. Since then, he and his team have been welcomed with open arms at Salt & Lime Modern Taqueria. The Tulum-inspired restaurant is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm, offering chef-driven tacos, curated beverages, and a welcoming environment.
During a presentation led by Caleb Spivak, Founder and CEO of What Now Media Group, local entrepreneurs and business representatives shared their experiences, provided updates on their progress, and reflected on the lessons they learned from opening brick-and-mortar establishments in Orange County. Some key takeaways included the importance of having passion, knowing how to pivot effectively—especially after facing challenges—and connecting with others in the community.
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This is the type of essential service that restaurant owners can learn about at Accelerate events, where they can connect with service providers and experts who can solve their problems or questions.
This was the second time owner Gretel Garcia of Bistro in Bellflower had attended one of these events, and she said they had been very helpful in the past. After giving the group an update on her sober-encouraged cafe, which specializes in adaptogen-based mocktails, she connected with Taylor Stalder, P.J. Rousey, and Kevin Whatley of SpotOn, which specializes in point-of-sale systems and payment processing software.
Another highlight of the evening was hearing from Larry Anaya, the executive vice president at TagRisk, a company offering unique insurance programs to restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Larry spoke to the group about the different kinds of insurance needed for a business, depending on its operation. More specifically, he discussed the difference between food truck insurance and insurance for a brick-and-mortar business.
Ivan and Nico Calderon, the father-and-son duo behind a variety of local concepts, such as Taco Mesita, Taco Mesa, and Taco Rosa, gave an update on their fleet of restaurants, such as how Taco Mesa plans to rebrand in a few months. The two connected with various people at this event, including Lisa Farris, the Chief Marketing Officer for Soundtrack, who told the group how to use music to help encourage guests to stay longer effectively. The platform even uses AI technology to create the perfect playlist for any restaurant setting.
As the event continued into the night, CEO Caleb Spivak concluded the helpful event by addressing key business issues, including the importance of having an exit plan and effectively managing operations after expanding to multiple locations. After sharing their insights, tips, and concerns, Caleb and the guests sparked a keen interest in learning more about each other’s businesses and exploring ways to collaborate and support one another.
What Now Media Group shares restaurant opening news in 31 cities across the U.S., breaking news and providing timely insight into yet-to-open brick-and-mortar businesses. The platform shares news of thousands of openings across all 31 cities annually.
The industry-leading experts in What Now Media Group’s network of Preferred Partners help new businesses open and existing businesses grow.
Stay tuned for future Accelerate events from What Now Media Group in 2024. For more details, see the Accelerate page here.
