Mwana, a native of Zanzibar in Tanzania, shares culinary creations deeply rooted in traditional East African cooking methods. She is committed to sharing authentic flavors with locals and visitors, introducing many to the unique spices and herbs that make up her cuisine. Her recipes come from her family heritage, passed down through generations, including her mother and uncle, who taught her how to cook.
Mwana wanted to scale her business and heard about the IRC’s Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) loan program through her local Small Business Development Center business advisor. She promptly connected to the IRC Seattle Small Business Program. With support from her IRC Financial Coach, Mwana navigated the intersection of personal and business credit. She then applied for and received approval for a $10,000 CEO business loan – her first opportunity to finance the business. This loan will help Mwana expand her menu offerings with new specialized equipment, like an automatic chapati maker. The funds will help optimize Mwana’s kitchen processes.
Mwana expressed that what made the IRC Seattle Small Business Program unique was that she received coaching and navigation through the loan application process in her native language of Kiswahili. Mwana is an experienced and educated businesswoman, but having accessible resources and approachable and understandable coaching made the process easier. With language access, Mwana was confident she had taken the proper steps to grow her business and had chosen the right loan capital.
Mwana’s long-term goal is to transition from her Spice Bridge kiosk to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant, where she can continue to share her love and culture through cuisine.