Local Business Owner Shares Journey from Startup to Success

Eight years ago, Maria Santos pushed a small cart through the streets of Pilsen, selling homemade tortillas to construction workers and neighbors. Today, she owns three successful restaurants across Chicago’s Southwest Side, employs 47 people, and has become a cornerstone of the local business community.

Santos’ journey from street vendor to restaurant owner exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive Chicago’s diverse small business landscape, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing economic revitalization.

“I started with $500 and a dream,” Santos said from her flagship location on 18th Street. “My grandmother’s recipes and a lot of faith in this community got me through the hardest times.”

The 42-year-old entrepreneur began Abuela’s Kitchen in 2016 after losing her job at a nearby factory. With limited options and a family to support, she turned to what she knew best: cooking traditional Mexican dishes learned from her grandmother in Michoacán.

Her initial investment covered ingredients for tortillas, a used cart, and the necessary permits to operate as a mobile food vendor. Santos would wake at 4 a.m. to prepare fresh masa, spending hours hand-pressing tortillas before wheeling her cart to construction sites and busy intersections throughout Pilsen and Little Village.

“The first year was brutal,” Santos recalled. “Some days I’d sell everything by noon, other days I’d go home with barely enough to cover ingredients. But the community supported me, and word spread about the quality of our food.”

By 2018, consistent demand and loyal customers enabled Santos to lease a small storefront on Cermak Road. The 800-square-foot space housed six tables and a compact kitchen where she continued preparing everything from scratch. Within six months, lines regularly stretched out the door during lunch hours.

The transition from mobile vendor to brick-and-mortar restaurant presented new challenges. Santos had to navigate complex city regulations, obtain additional permits, and learn business management skills while maintaining food quality and customer service standards.

“Maria’s success isn’t just about good food, though that’s certainly part of it,” said Roberto Maldonado, executive director of the Pilsen Alliance, a local business development organization. “She understood her community’s needs and built authentic relationships with customers. That foundation allowed her to grow sustainably rather than just chasing quick profits.”

The COVID-19 pandemic initially threatened to derail Santos’ expansion plans. Restaurant restrictions and economic uncertainty forced her to furlough employees and pivot to takeout and delivery services. However, the crisis also sparked innovation and community solidarity.

Santos partnered with local schools to provide meal programs for students learning remotely. She also organized food drives for families experiencing unemployment, often donating ingredients and prepared meals from her own inventory.

“The pandemic showed me we’re stronger when we support each other,” Santos explained. “Taking care of our neighbors during tough times brought more business later, but more importantly, it was the right thing to do.”

By late 2021, recovering demand and accumulated savings enabled Santos to open her second location in Little Village. The larger space features an expanded menu including weekend breakfast service and catering options for local events and celebrations.

This year, Santos opened her third restaurant in Brighton Park, creating 18 additional jobs and further establishing her presence across Chicago’s Southwest Side. Each location maintains the same commitment to fresh ingredients and traditional preparation methods while adapting to neighborhood preferences and demographics.

The success has attracted attention from food critics and business publications, but Santos remains focused on community impact rather than broader recognition. Her restaurants source ingredients from local suppliers when possible, and she actively mentors other aspiring entrepreneurs through small business workshops.

“Success isn’t just about profit margins,” Santos emphasized. “It’s about creating good jobs, serving quality food people can afford, and contributing to neighborhood stability. When local businesses thrive, everyone benefits.”

Santos employs primarily neighborhood residents, many of whom had limited previous restaurant experience. She provides on-the-job training and has promoted several employees to management positions as the business expanded.

Looking ahead, Santos plans to open a fourth location within the next two years, potentially expanding beyond Mexican cuisine to reflect the Southwest Side’s increasing diversity. She’s also exploring opportunities to package and distribute her signature salsas and seasonings through local grocery stores.

The entrepreneur credits her success to community support, consistent quality, and willingness to adapt while maintaining core values. Her story reflects broader trends in Chicago’s small business ecosystem, where immigrant entrepreneurs and neighborhood-focused establishments continue driving economic development in traditionally underserved areas.

“Every day brings new challenges, but I love what I do and who I serve,” Santos said. “This community gave me a chance when I needed it most. Now I want to create those same opportunities for others.”

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Santos recommends starting small, listening to customers, and staying committed to quality even when growth pressures mount. Her journey from $500 cart to multi-location restaurant group demonstrates that sustainable success often begins with authentic community connections and genuine service.