We were lucky to catch up with Aasiya Muslim recently and have shared our conversation below.
Aasiya , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
From Dream to Reality: The Journey of Launching My Restaurant
It all started with a spark of inspiration during a birthday celebration in September 2019. A friend of mine, who owned a restaurant, often allowed chefs to host pop-up events. For my birthday, I decided to showcase my culinary skills over a three-day event. The weekend was a resounding success, and I was approached about the possibility of partnering to open a restaurant. Although that partnership didn’t materialize, my passion and desire to open my own restaurant only grew stronger. It became my sole mission.
Just a month later, on October 10, 2019, I, along with my business partners at the time, signed a lease on a space. This marked the beginning of an 18-month journey filled with challenges and triumphs. The process of transforming an idea into a full-scale restaurant was anything but smooth. We faced numerous setbacks, including being scammed by the architect we hired and losing thousands of dollars to dishonest restaurant consultants. These issues delayed our opening by several months, forcing us to pay rent on a space that wasn’t yet operational.
Despite these obstacles, my determination never wavered. Each setback was a lesson in resilience and perseverance. During this time, my relationship with God grew stronger. He kept me encouraged and provided for me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I maxed out every credit card, used every cent of my savings, and even faced the threat of eviction. Yet, through it all, I remained focused on my goal.
The journey from idea to execution was a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. It required meticulous planning, countless hours of research, and unwavering dedication. I had to figure out everything from redesigning the restaurant layout and menu. Each step brought me closer to realizing my dream.
In the end, the challenges I faced only made the success of opening my restaurant that much sweeter. It was a testament to the power of perseverance, faith, and the unwavering belief in one’s dreams.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hello! I’m Aasiya, a single mother of three incredible children: Ameel, Amauri, and Ari. They are my everything and my greatest source of inspiration. I am the youngest of 16 children, a beautiful blend from both sides of my family. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I attended performing arts schools and later pursued interior design in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1999. Creativity has always been my passion, and I still dabble in interior design for close friends and family.
My love for cooking began at a very early age. Growing up in a Muslim household, everything we prepared was made from scratch. I would help my mother cook daily, and over time, cooking became my therapy. My grandparents hosted card parties every weekend, and I would assist them in the kitchen. My grandfather’s famous spaghetti and my grandmother’s fried chicken wings or fish were staples at these gatherings.
After becoming a mother and moving to Atlanta, I was fortunate to stay at home with my children. However, the entrepreneur in me always kept a good side hustle. I started a catering company and sold dinners to hair salons and barber shops. Word spread quickly, and soon I had several clients booking me for private events. Everything I make is crafted with love, passion, and from scratch.
My restaurant, Scrum-did-dly-ump-tious, is a reflection of my grandparents’ gatherings—filled with love, passion, family, and friends. My children, sister, nephews, and cousins all work there, making it a true family affair. It was my dream to open a business that would allow my family to shine and prosper. Recently, we installed a wall at the restaurant that memorializes our ancestors and honors relatives who are still with us and those who have passed away. It showcases a “Legacy of Love Enriched in Excellence.”
Our customers have become like family, and our goal is for them to feel loved and cherished when they walk through our doors. We want them to enjoy a home-cooked meal that was passionately prepared with a whole lot of love.
What sets us apart is the genuine love and care that goes into every dish we serve. We provide a warm, welcoming space where people can enjoy delicious, homemade meals. I am most proud of the sense of community and family that we have built at Scrum-did-dly-ump-tious. Our restaurant is not just a place to eat; it’s a place to feel at home.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and my brand. I look forward to welcoming you to Scrum-did-dly-ump-tious, where every meal is a celebration of love and family.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
It was through a mutual friend that I first met Lashonia Turner. Our friend thought we would hit it off, and they were absolutely right. At the time, Lashonia was in the process of opening her hair salon and had hired a photographer to capture pictures of her, her staff members, and a few styled hair clients, including me, for her website. Unfortunately, the photographer turned out to be quite terrible.
Seeing the situation unfold, I couldn’t just stand by. I instantly stepped in, fired the photographer on the spot, and called a photographer friend of mine who came over immediately to save the day. From that moment on, Lashonia and I bonded. We realized we shared a similar drive, passion, and vision for our respective businesses.
Our friendship quickly grew into a strong partnership, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellence. This serendipitous meeting marked the beginning of a wonderful journey together, both as friends and business partners.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
Starting our restaurant was a true labor of love, supported by the unwavering belief and generosity of those closest to us. To gather the initial capital, I maxed out every credit card I had and wiped out my entire savings account. My parents, ever supportive, lent me $10,000. My close friends—Kettia, Seme, Duwyna, and Keesha—also believed in my dream and invested in it.
My business partner, Lashonia, was equally committed. She emptied her savings and tapped into all her resources, including contributions from her family members and friends who shared our vision. Despite our best efforts, no bank would approve us for a loan because we were a startup and needed to show longevity and income for at least six months.
Through prayer and God’s blessings, along with the collective support of our loved ones, we managed to gather the necessary funds. In total, we invested half a million dollars to bring our dream to life. It was a challenging journey, but the faith and support from our community made it possible to open our doors and start this incredible venture.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://scrum-did-dly-ump-tious.com/
- Instagram: @scrumbrunch
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/scrumbrunch/
Image Credits
Bruce Johnson
https://www.instagram.com/brucejohnsonphotos?igsh=MWM4bmFkbTc2bzhmaQ==