Women's Day Spotlight: Honoring 5 Women Killing It in the Restaurant Industry

TLDR

You know how they say women can't run a restaurant? These five amazing women prove them wrong. Meet the female restaurateurs who are killing it with their delicious eats. From Jeni's unforgettable coffee experience at Coffee Dose to Clemence's melt-in-your-mouth French pastries at Choc O'Pain, these leading ladies are serving up success. We're celebrating Women's Day by spotlighting our five women-owned eateries. Read on to get inspired by their stories of passion, persistence, and pastries. 

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Honoring Women's Day by Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs

Successful Businesses Run by Women

In honor of International Women’s Day, we are highlighting five successful businesses in the restaurant industry founded and operated by women entrepreneurs. These visionary leaders are thriving in a male-dominated field and serving as an inspiration to women everywhere.

Coffee Dose

Owned by Jeni Castro, Coffee Dose is a popular coffee shop known for its artisanal beverages and homemade pastries. Castro turned her passion for coffee into a successful business, showing that with hard work and perseverance, anyone can achieve their dreams.

The Bundt Shoppe

Amina Ahmed founded The Bundt Shoppe, which features high-quality bundt cakes in a variety of flavors. Ahmed has built the company into a premier bundt cake destination through her innovative recipes and determination. Her story demonstrates how women entrepreneurs are leading the charge in the food and beverage sector.

Choc o Pain

Owned by Clemence Danko, Choc o Pain is an artisanal bakery specializing in French pastries and breads. Danko brought her culinary talents from France to open this popular bakery, exhibiting the global reach of women entrepreneurs. Through her vision and skill, Danko has crafted Choc o Pain into a community pillar.

Madison Perk and Island Flavor

Stacy McFall started Madison Perk, a coffee shop. Alisa Park owns Island Flavor, a café with tropical-inspired food. Both women made friendly spaces for people to connect, showing how women entrepreneurs build community. Their success proves women shape local commerce and culture.

On International Women’s Day, we honor these leaders. Their hard work and vision built thriving businesses that uplift communities. May their stories empower more women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

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Jeni Castro's Coffee Dose

As the owner of Coffee Dose, Jeni Castro turned her daily caffeine fix into a thriving business.

A Welcoming Community Space

For an aesthetic Southern California coffee shop vibe, head to Coffee Dose. They think having a cup of coffee should be an experience, not just a routine. Though it's small, it's rich in vibes, providing feminine, cozy indoor and roomy outdoor seating. Whether you want a peaceful lunch or a meetup with friends, it's a great spot. Capture some cute pics for your Instagram, whether you're hanging out with your girlfriends or closing a deal with a client post-meeting.

Menu for Every Mood

Coffee Dose is the spot for you – not your usual coffee shop, focusing on soothing lattes, fun merchandise, and guilt-free treats. Their menu suits every mood, offering classic lattes, lively smoothies, and Instagram-worthy sandwiches.

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Amina Ahmed's The Bundt Shoppe

Amina Ahmed is the inspiring Founder and CEO of The Bundt Shoppe, a bakery known for its delicious bundt cakes and pastries.

Ahmed had a vision for bringing the joy of bundt cakes—a classic American treat—to her community. She and her partner, Eric Dahlberg, have turned that vision into a reality, expanding The Bundt Shoppe into a beloved regional brand. The key to their success has been a commitment to high-quality ingredients, unique recipes, and unparalleled customer service.

Serving The Community

The cake Shoppe offers various flavors to cater to everyone's choice. With rotating seasonal flavors and monthly specials, there’s always something new to try. The bakery also offers personalized catering and wedding services and helps emerging entrepreneurs start successful brands by fundraising.

Through talent, passion, and perseverance, Amina has established The Bundt Shoppe as a leader in Colorado’s food and beverage industry. Her inspiring story demonstrates how women entrepreneurs are shaping and elevating businesses in communities across the country. 

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Stacy McFall's Madison Perk

Stacy McFall, CEO of Madison Perk Coffee Bar, is one woman restaurateur making major strides in Madison, Wisconsin. McFall and her husband, Patrick, opened Madison Perk in 2021 to establish a community hub where customers can enjoy high-quality food and beverages.

The coffee shop sources ingredients locally and regionally whenever possible. The menu features salads, breakfast sandwiches, and snacks to satisfy any appetite.

Under McFall’s leadership, Madison Perk has become a popular spot for remote workers, students, and neighborhood residents. The shop's inviting atmosphere, complete with cozy armchairs and tables, free Wi-Fi, and friendly staff, makes it an ideal place to get work done or simply unwind.

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Clemence Danko's Choc O Pain

Clemence Danko, owner of Choc O Pain, has brought the flavors of Paris to Hoboken, New Jersey. After moving from France to the United States, Danko opened Choc O Pain in 2012 to share her passion for artisanal French breads and pastries.

Taste of France

Choc O Pain offers authentic French freshly baked goods like sourdough bread, croissants, macarons, and eclairs. Danko's mission is to craft high-quality products using traditional French techniques and the finest ingredients. Her shop has become a popular neighborhood destination, attracting locals and visitors alike looking to enjoy a sweet taste of France.

Danko's story showcases how immigrant entrepreneurs can enrich their communities by sharing their cultural heritage. By respecting her skill and staying true to where she comes from, she has created a thriving business that shares happiness, one buttery croissant at a time.

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Alisa Park's Island Flavor

Sourcing Local Ingredients

Alisa Park's restaurant Island Flavor specializes in tropical fusion cuisine featuring the flavors of the Caribbean and Hawaii. She sources the freshest local ingredients from farmers and fishers to create her signature dishes like jerk chicken, Hawaiian poke bowls, and mango habanero shrimp.

Must-Try Island Flavor Delights

Island Flavor nails comfort food with an island twist. Try the hearty Loco Moco with a savory hamburger patty, fried egg, and rich brown gravy over rice, or spice it up with chili pepper water. Snack on the crunchy Furikake Chicken, a mouthwatering blend of tender chicken, Japanese seaweed, and sesame seasoning. For a sweet treat, savor the Banana Lumpia, where ripe bananas meet a delicate spring roll wrapper, fried to perfection and topped with honey and toasted coconut.

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How Per Diem Supports Women Entrepreneurs

Per Diem mobile ordering app provides essential support for small businesses, and women-owned restaurants in particular. The app allows customers to order ahead via their smartphones, providing these eateries access to technology that streamlines operations and increases efficiency. For fledgling businesses, the adoption of new technologies can be challenging, as resources and technical expertise may be limited.

To help these businesses, the company offers consistent support and in-app marketing tools. This ensures a smooth experience for owners and a pleasant one for their customers.

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Final Thoughts

As you've seen, these women owners are killing it running successful eatery businesses. Their passion, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit allow them to thrive even in a competitive industry. We at Per Diem are honored to have partnered with these inspiring owners to develop mobile ordering apps for their brands. Their stories showcase how women can achieve incredible success on their own terms. This Women's Day, let's celebrate these bosses and all the women making power moves in the restaurant world.

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