Build Ecosystems, Not Empires

A newsletter for justice-driven BIPOC founders building 7-figure businesses that lift up our communities. You can unsubscribe any time.

By Gelaine Santiago of Founding Possibilities​

Hi Reader!

On our recent trip to Mexico City, my partner Jérôme and I had ONE place at the very top of our list: Masala y Maíz.​

If you watch Chef’s Table on Netflix, you might have heard of them. They’re a Michelin-starred restaurant that fuses Indian, East African, and Mexican flavors. They were even named one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

But those accolades weren’t the reason we were dying to go.

I’ve rarely seen another business that’s so unapologetically bold about their values and what they stand for. They’re not just ‘not afraid’ to be political - they embrace it. Cause, spoiler alert: food is political.

Since our trip was a bit last minute, we found ourselves staring at a fully booked calendar. There wasn’t a single reservation available for the next 3 months! Jérôme signed up for the waitlist and we crossed our fingers. A few days later, we got a ping that a spot opened up and we grabbed it immediately.

Anticipation was high by the time we arrived at our table. I opened the menu and lo and behold – a “Free Palestine” sign was printed right below the appetizers and on the coasters. I complimented our server on it, and he beamed at me with pride.

But Masala y Maíz doesn’t just talk the talk. They’ve baked their values into their business model.

In an industry built off exploitation, founders Saqib Keval and Norma Listman didn’t want to recreate the same harmful, racist, and misogynistic dynamics in most fine dining kitchens.

They regularly flout the “rules” of the restaurant industry, and find their own way of operating:

• They close every day at 6:00 PM (and every Tuesday) so their staff don’t have to work unreasonable hours.
• They launched an “eat what you want, pay what you can” initiative so anyone regardless of income can dine at the restaurant - at least for one day.
• They prioritize a dignified livelihood for their team, suppliers, and themselves(!) over maximizing every cent of profit.

When asked what growth for their business looks like, Keval responded, “Yes, we are going to expand, but growth for us is not a bigger restaurant. It’s being able to provide a higher standard of living for our staff. It's better benefits, better pay, tips, infrastructure, time off." (Credit Travesías)

The takeaway: You do not have to water down who you are to reach the top.

You don’t have to hide your values or leave your politics at the door to be successful.

You can be loud. You can be proud. You can be bold. You can be rebellious. And you can still be the best in the world, setting the blueprint for how your entire industry should operate. That’s our mission at Founding Possibilities: to build businesses that don’t just grow, but lift up our entire community as they rise.

I’d love to hear from you, Reader: Know any BIPOC-owned businesses that are thriving and leading unapologetically with their values? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to highlight them in an upcoming newsletter.

To your rebellious success,

Gelaine

PS — While we were eating, we spotted Saqib standing nearby waiting for Norma. I was faaaaaar too star-struck (it’s the Filipina in me! 😅), but Jérôme waved and Saqib waved back. I’m still not over it haha.