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In this episode of Main Street Business Insights, Matt sits down with Derrick Braziel, owner of Pata Roja Taqueria and co-founder of MORTAR, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In their conversation, they discuss Derrick’s origins as an entrepreneur, which began in 2014 with the launch of MORTAR, an organization that enables historically marginalized entrepreneurs to access the resources needed to start and run successful businesses.
"We wanted to make sure that because of your skin color, your socioeconomic stats, the money you had in your bank account, whatever it was, you could participate in the revitalization we were seeing in Cincinatti,” said Braziel.
Out of his participation in a MORTAR program, Derrick was able to test out his own business idea: a taco truck. A decade later, Derrick’s food truck, Pata Roja Taqueria, is thriving – and he’s actively working towards setting up a brick-and-mortar restaurant expected to open this year.
Matt and Derrick also discuss the rarely discussed but prevalent issues of burnout and isolation facing many business owners, and how Derrick has learned to cope, adapt, and learn from his own experiences with them.
Listen to their conversation here.
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Stay tuned for next week’s episode, Embracing Digital and Demystifying AI with Janet Hurn, Future Ready Consulting.
New research shows that Main Street businesses continue to struggle with economic uncertainty caused by tariffs and political changes, but they are hopeful that the holiday shopping season can provide stability and support.
Discover how Mount Vernon Downtown Association’s artisan retail market, The LIDO Collective, provides local artists with a place to build their confidence, learn business skills, and grow their client base – all while revitalizing their downtown core.
Learn how Main Street Murfreesboro uses their annual scarecrow decorating contest to drive foot traffic to their downtown and create a vibrant community atmosphere each fall.
