Help Brigitte keep her Liberian Food Truck

https://youtu.be/_xUQVSExuuE

Hello. My name is Brigitte Harris, and I am an American-born Liberian raised in both countries. I was born on Staten Island in NYC and lived in Monrovia, Liberia, a country in West Africa, from age 12-18. I would like to own and operate a mobile food truck that sells authentic West African cuisine in the borough of Staten Island.

I grew up cooking and eating Liberian cuisine and selling it through my Mother's catering service while in Liberia and my sister's pop-up kitchens in the DMV area. The name of my business is Bridge's Kitchen, and it is an LLC. I chose that name because my nickname is Bridge, but "Bridge's" also represents my dream of opening a restaurant that sells food from all cultures, bridging the gap between our various cultures and differences through food. Although my goal is to open a restaurant eventually, I decided to start with a food truck due to Covid and because it will be less expensive and to build a customer base.

There is a severe lack of West African cuisine in N.Y.C., and there is only one Liberian restaurant in the neighborhood of Clifton and Park Hill on Staten Island. I have an opportunity to fill the demand for the much-needed, more steady source of Liberian food.

I am asking for help because

Now, why Staten Island? Well, there is a vast Liberian community there. Staten Island has the largest population of any city outside of Liberia, with an estimated 6-8,000 Liberians. They've been migrating there since the Civil War began in Liberia in the 1980s. I have done my market research (through FB groups, giving samples of my food to the community & cooking for my family and friends), and the results are always favorable. There is a demand and a need for a more reliable source of Liberian food.

In NYC, with the type of permits we have, we can't move food trucks around (except for food festivals), so it will be to my advantage to go directly to the source, which is the Clifton and Park Hill neighborhood of Staten Island.

The company’s vision for the first year is to become the premier choice for Liberian cuisine in a specific neighborhood of Staten Island. "Bridge’s Kitchens'" mission is to provide reliable service and build a reputable business that serves authentic and traditional West African cuisine to the residents of Staten Island who do not have dependable access to Liberian food.

Every time I visit the island we search for Liberian food ("who’s cooking today?" Is always the question) because some people sell food out of their homes. I will not hesitate to adopt successful strategies from my competitors, and I chose a highly visible location with a suitable consumer base nearby.

I have been doing my research for a food business since 2019, beginning with three entrepreneurship classes and multiple SCORE and SBA workshops. I registered my company in March, 2022 and have received all my licenses and permits.

Thanks for your support; I am truly grateful!

#BlackBusinessGrant