The Power of Partnerships: TAP and N.E.W. Unite to Support Food Entrepreneurs

At The Acceleration Project (TAP), we believe that when mission-aligned organizations join forces, real change happens. That belief came to life last week in Los Angeles, California, at the EAT (Engage, Adapt, Thrive) Restaurant and Food Service Summit—a dynamic and community-rooted event hosted by New Economics for Women (NEW). Designed to help food entrepreneurs navigate today’s shifting industry landscape, the summit was described by Ruth Garcia-Corrales, NEW’s Program Director, as a "celebration of the food industry and the people who make it so special.”

The summit featured hands-on workshops, candid panels, and peer-to-peer networking tailored to the needs of restaurant and food service professionals. Attendees heard from an inspiring panel of chefs, including Jonathan Perez of Macheen, a 2024 TAP client. When asked how they are responding to rising costs, Perez shared that he buys directly from farmers' market suppliers to “cut out the middle man” and build lasting, loyal relationships.

Throughout the event, TAP connected with food entrepreneurs facing real challenges, rising costs, changing customer demands, and operational constraints, and offered the kind of tailored support that makes a difference.
A key moment was the live presentation by TAP consultants Amy Zarin and Lillian Chung Kang. They shared actionable strategies around COGS, margin, pricing, and menu engineering, empowering entrepreneurs with tools to increase profitability and make sound business decisions.​

Among those who attended TAP’s session, feedback was overwhelmingly positive: 100% were satisfied, with 82% “extremely” or “very” satisfied, and 91% said they would recommend TAP.
Participants shared:
“It gave me insight on what I need to do.”
“The detailed information presented was very helpful.”

TAP’s participation reflects our shared mission with NEW, an organization that has been breaking down systemic barriers since 1985 to spark economic mobility for women and families. Through programs in housing, education, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, NEW is creating pathways to opportunity. At TAP, we support that work by providing under-resourced small business owners with expert consulting that drives long-term growth and generational wealth.

This partnership between NEW and TAP is about more than a single summit. It is about building ecosystems of support. When we uplift small food businesses, we create jobs, revitalize neighborhoods, and fuel sustainable economic growth.

If your organization is ready to be part of this movement, we invite you to partner with TAP.
Fill out our interest form, or visit the partnership page on our website to learn more.
Together, we can fuel small business success and build a more resilient future for all.