#MiMoTalks with Taste & Tell

Taste & Tell was born out of the curiosity of four foodie sisters fiddling around in the kitchen. In just over three months, what was a happy experiment turned into THE go- to brand for sushi bake in Manila, with a following of over 14 thousand on instagram.

Today on #MiMoTalks, we're excited to speak with 1/4 of Taste & Tell. Mar is the part-owner, full- time chef, and ever reliable taste- tester of the brand. Read on to learn about how she balances food, fun, and her business.

MiMo: okay, so start at the beginning.

MAR: My sisters & I saw a sushi bake post on social media, and decided to make our own version out of boredom. I brought one of the trays with me to my boyfriend's house as a gift. Two weeks later, his mom asked if she could order 10 trays. And that's when it hit us-- should we start a business?

MiMo: and you did! how much did it cost?

MAR: We started our business with Php 30k of our own money, and it took three days to get that back, which is crazy. It was very overwhelming and fulfilling for us.

MiMo: taste & tell grew so much so quickly, that couldn't have been easy.

MAR: In the beginning, we felt like we were thrown into a war zone without any weapons, trying to fulfill and organize so many orders. But our family really served as the best support system. They would offer their help even before we asked. Whole days spent in the kitchen became a family affair.

MiMo: what do you think is something that should absolutely not be overlooked when starting a businesses?

MAR: Customer Service is very, very important. If your customer doesn't feel appreciated or valued, it doesn't matter how great your product is. At the end of the day, you're also selling your customers an experience.

MiMo: what does "boss" mean to you?

MAR: When I used to think of the word "boss", I imagined a man in a suit seated in a cold air- conditioned room. Now I know it's nothing like that at all! Being a boss and a business owner means no rest days. It means continually striving to improve all aspects and processes of your business. It means making your customers happy, while also taking care of your employees. You need to know everything that's going on like the back of your hand.

MiMo: you definitely wear a lot of hats, you're also the one who handles all the marketing for Taste & Tell! how did you grow your following so quickly?

MAR: I think it's very important to be consistent in updating your customers. I make sure to post on our social media platforms at least 3 or 4 times a week. Building connections is also another very crucial thing. We reach out to individuals with bigger followings and ask them if they would like to try our food or review it. It's tedious work, cause maybe out of 1000 emails sent, only a handful will garner a response, but it helps a ton when trying to grow your customer following.

MiMo: any advice for aspiring business owners?

MAR: Whether it's a huge idea, or a small one, just do it! You'll never know which one will stick till you try it. And always remember to believe in your product. Everything else will follow when you do.

Always such a pleasure talking to Mar! Her links are listed below.

Instagram: @tasteandtellmnl

Facebook: Taste & Tell

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