After first connecting to AAEDC in 2018, Jayleen Fonseca has turned a former Churchton bar into an award-winning restaurant and thriving local business with support from several AAEDC programs.
After many years in the corporate world Jayleen, who had always dreamed of owning her own business, resolved to open a restaurant that would serve the delicious foods inspired by Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage. They began planning how to make it happen in 2018 and, after jumping at the opportunity to purchase a building that had long been the “Swamp Circle Saloon,” concluded that the next need was more capital.
Challenges Faced
Although Jayleen and Jesse possessed over a decade of experience in corporate management and the restaurant industry, respectively, securing funding was their earliest obstacle. The next one, which reared its ugly head just 11 months after Jay’s opened, was the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, as Jayleen recalls, AAEDC was able to help her overcome both.
How AAEDC Helped
Jayleen was first introduced to AAEDC 2018 by a commercial
banker who, although he couldn’t approve her loan, saw
potential in the venture and thought that it might be a fit for
the VOLT Fund. He was proven right a few months later,
when Jayleen and Jesse used a $270,000 loan that same year to
build out and purchase equipment for the restaurant, and
again in late 2020, when a $43,557 VOLT loan helped them
purchase a food trailer and adapt to a carry-out model during
the pandemic. Three years later in 2023 Jayleen seized the
opportunity offered by another impactful AAEDC resource,
the Inclusive Ventures Program (IVP), and, a few months after
completing what she calls a “truly transformative experience,”
used a third VOLT Fund loan in 2024 for $40,000 to expand
the restaurant by building an all-seasons outdoor pavilion.
Hear from Jayleen
Listen to Jayleen, owner of Jay’s Latin Inspired Kitchen, discuss the program, the biggest things that she gained from it, and why she encourages other Hispanic business owners in Anne Arundel County who want to grow their business to consider applying.
“Beyond the financial support, AAEDC’s comprehensive resources and unmatched connections have been instrumental in our success. I consider the team at AAEDC as true partners, and I’m incredibly grateful for the relationship that we’ve built over the last five years.”
Jayleen Fonseca
Owner
What’s Next?
Nearly six years after opening their restaurant’s doors, Jayleen and Jesse have established it as an award-winning “haven of flavor” whose growth shows no signs of stopping. Jayleen says she’s looking forward to continuing to grow the business’s sales and profitability, including by offering live music and maximizing the new outdoor pavilion.
Discover the Right Financial Path
Not sure where to start? Our team of experts can help identify the programs and incentives that make the most sense for your business.
