SOCIETY AND CULTURE Game-changing plan to empower New Orleans’ small businesses

Addis NOLA is a New Orleans gathering spot, a family-owned restaurant serving up authentic Ethiopian cuisine. Located on the historic Bayou Road, Addis NOLA is flourishing, and restauranteur Dr. Biruk Alemayehu is eager to find new opportunities to connect with customers.

“Addis is a platform for people in the neighborhood who would like to share food while having a great conversation,” said Biruk, whose family has owned and operated the restaurant since 2019. “Any small business will face challenges, but we can use those as an opportunity to grow and work together. Technology helps us streamline our operation and digital payments give us a real time view into how our business is doing.”

Like many owners of small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Biruk is creative, resourceful and innovative. They want to provide a seamless payment experience so they can focus on welcoming new and existing customers and serving signature dishes like Lamb Wot.

It’s crucial for entrepreneurs to build and implement game-winning strategies surrounding major milestones, and forecasting ahead of major events can uplift SMBs bottom line in an incredible way. That’s why, ahead of Super Bowl LIX, Visa teamed up with Square and Cash App to provide over 100 local food and beverage brands with resources that will enhance their operations with the latest technology and help them thrive in today’s competitive market. By working alongside Propeller, a local nonprofit supporting entrepreneurs, the collective group of partners was able to surround these small businesses with support — providing the ingredients they need to flourish — including upgraded technology equipment and Square Readers.

Owning a restaurant is a rewarding journey, yet it comes with its challenges — long hours, unpredictable setbacks and the constant need to innovate in a fast-paced industry. It takes many small steps to reach long-term success, and managing a business during peak seasonal moments like Mardi Gras and Super Bowl weekend can be a trial-and-error process. However, with clever marketing and a secure payments infrastructure, SMBs can set themselves up for success. Beyond the event, Visa also supplied computer equipment that will serve as a permanent fixture of support for small businesses at Propellor.

Sharing the playbook for success

SMBs must wear many hats. Connecting with people who bring knowledge to an unfamiliar space is one small step toward helping them find a path to success. During the engagement, founders had the chance to hear and learn from senior executives from Visa, Square, Cash App, Propeller and local football superstar Cam Jordan about building a brand and growing their business.

Ready, set, grow: Take your business to the next level

If you’re a small business owner and are looking to access helpful resources for growing your small business, check out the Visa Small Business Hub. This dedicated platform offers invaluable resources, expert tools, and support to empower small businesses, helping them thrive and win in the digital economy.