Opening Soon Presents: "The Build"

After months of planning, it all comes down to opening day — nerves, joy, and community collide. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda takes us behind the scenes of the final countdown. From a friends-and-family soft opening to the first customer reactions, this is the payoff of launching a restaurant in New York City. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square herehereConnect with Square: Instagram:LinkedIn: YouTube: Contact Sales: Connect with TILIT: Instagram:Facebook: LinkedIn: The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Great service is as memorable as the food itself — and the buzz starts before the doors open. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda defines her restaurant’s steps of service and launches her pre-opening marketing strategy. From rituals to Instagram captions, it’s all about creating connections before day one. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square herehereConnect with Square: Instagram:LinkedIn: YouTube: Contact Sales: Connect with TILIT: Instagram:Facebook: LinkedIn: The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Restaurants run on people. Hiring, training, and planning payroll can make or break a business. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda shares how she’s building her team with intention. From creating a culture of equity to managing wages and building sustainable financial models, it’s a candid look at people-first growth in the restaurant world. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square herehereConnect with Square: Instagram:LinkedIn: YouTube: Contact Sales: Connect with TILIT: Instagram:Facebook: LinkedIn: The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Behind every smooth guest experience is technology that makes it all possible. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda sets up a Square-powered POS system that brings efficiency, data, and seamless retail to her new restaurant. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how tech and hospitality work hand in hand. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square herehereConnect with Square: Instagram:LinkedIn: YouTube: Contact Sales: Connect with TILIT: Instagram:Facebook: LinkedIn: The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Every dish tells a story. At Ramen by Ra, the menu is more than recipes — it’s a reflection of culture, innovation, and community. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda explores the process of menu creation. From broth to bao, she experiments with flavor, menu pricing, and neighborhood accessibility while balancing tradition with bold new ideas. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square herehereConnect with Square: Instagram:LinkedIn: YouTube: Contact Sales: Connect with TILIT: Instagram:Facebook: LinkedIn: The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A restaurant isn’t just food. It’s an experience you can see, touch, and even taste. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda dives into the creative side of building a restaurant brand. From packaging to signage to merch, she shares how story, design, and sensory detail work together to shape the restaurant experience at Ramen by Ra. Explore Season 2 of The Build Presented by Square herehereConnect with Square: Instagram:LinkedIn: YouTube: Contact Sales: Connect with TILIT: Instagram:Facebook: LinkedIn: The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Permits, contractors, and design dreams — restaurant building isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda walks us through the realities of construction. From dealing with red tape to contractor surprises and design compromises, it’s a raw look at the literal building of Ramen by Ra’s next chapter. Explore Season 2 of The Build herehereConnect with Square: Instagram:LinkedIn: YouTube: Contact Sales: Connect with TILIT: Instagram:Facebook: LinkedIn: The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Real estate, leases, and the nerve-wracking search for funding — this chapter of Rasheeda’s journey shows the high stakes of restaurant expansion. In this episode of The Build: Ramen by Ra, Rasheeda takes us inside her hunt for the perfect East Village space. From negotiating lease terms to navigating SBA loans and building a business plan, she reveals the grit behind securing a restaurant’s future home. Explore Season 2 of The Build herehereConnect with Square: Instagram:LinkedIn: YouTube: Contact Sales: Connect with TILIT: Instagram:Facebook: LinkedIn: The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the season premiere of The Build: Ramen by Ra, Chef Rasheeda Purdie takes us back to where it all began, her early days slinging soulful bowls of ramen at pop-ups across New York City. Now, she’s stepping into her next chapter: expanding Ramen by Ra from a beloved small-batch concept into a full-scale restaurant rooted in community, creativity, and courage. Alongside hosts Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman, co-founders of TILIT, Rasheeda shares the story of how her Asa-Ramen roots shaped her vision for modern New York hospitality. The episode dives deep into the emotional leap from chef to founder, the realities of growth, and what it takes to build something that’s truly your own. Presented by Square and produced in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, this episode is a must-listen for food lovers, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about what it really takes to grow a restaurant dream in New York City. Learn more and sign up for a special bonus episode at square.com/thebuild. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the day we’ve been waiting for all season: Ursula is open! In this episode we hear the staff celebrating on opening night, and debrief with Eric and Lani about surviving their first week of service. Plus, Jenny and Alex reminisce on the opening - and closing - days of their restaurant Goods. The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional music in this episode by Doctor Turtle, HolinzaCC0, Andy G. Cohen, Jan-Michael Hökenschnieder & Fachhochschule, and 10 Echo. Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s the final week before opening and a LOT is happening. Moving day, construction, staff training, friends and family; this episode has it all. Plus, a visit from Ursula herself! The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional Music in this episode by HolinzaCC0, Jan-Michael Hökenschnieder & Fachhochschule, and Captive Portal. Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this season of Opening Soon– which we are affectionately calling The Build– we’re taking a look at all aspects of opening a brick and mortar. In today’s episode, we’ll hop onto a rollercoaster of emotions. We’re painting a picture of how self care and mental health look during a build, and using all the colors we can get our hands on. Listen in for some deep reflections, lessons learned along the way, and an intimate look behind the scenes of team TILIT. The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional Music in this episode by HolinzaCC0, Koi-Discovery,, Rowan Jane, Jahzzar, Portrayal, Bauchamp Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of The Build; tune into Eric - in conversation with his collaborators - as he spends time intentionally sourcing ingredients, wines and spirits for his new beverage menus at Ursula's new home. If you want to hear more John deBary, he's creating a limited-run companion podcast with HRN for his new book Saved by the Bellini. Subscribe to the Eat Your Words wherever you get your podcasts to get the episodes as they launch. (Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS). The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional Music in this episode by Jahzzar, Jan-Michael Hökenschnieder & Fachhochschule Dortmund, TRG Banks, Rowan Jane, Fields Ohio. Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Build takes a deep dive into the process of building up a new restaurant from signing the lease to opening day. In this episode, not only do you get more glimpses at the fun aesthetic bits, but you’ll also hear about the processes and systems behind making sure customers feel taken care of in the space that Eric and Team Ursula are in the middle of creating. Between architects pointing fingers at plumbers, and deciding on plate ware, you’ll hear about the nitty gritty required to build up (and out) your brick and mortar world. The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional Music in this episode by HolinzaCC0, TRG Banks, Koi-Discovery, Dilating Times, Rowan Jane, Andy G. Cohen, Oji. Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to the latest episode of The Build! In this episode, we explore the world of Ursula: meet new team members and take a deep dive into the values and systems that Eric and Lani plan to instill in the new location. Plus, get a glimpse at how the team is restructuring compensation for employees to better serve everyone and encourage warmer hospitality. The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional Music in this episode by Andy G. Cohen, Koi-discovery, Mildperil, Oji, & HolinzaCC0. Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this season of Opening Soon, called The Build, we’re following along one chef’s journey from open to close… and all of the pieces in between. In this episode, we talk money, honey! From putting together the capital to get the process started, to figuring out how your brick and mortar can make some of that cash back, you’ll hear about all things money, money, money, mon-ey (mon-ey!). And for the long-time listeners, you’ll finally get in on the scoop on our own financial fairytale with Goods. If you’d like to support chef Eric See and his team at Ursula, check out their ongoing Crowdfunding here. The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional Music in this episode by HolinzaCC0, TRG Banks, Pawel Fesczuk, Koi Discovery, Dilating Times. Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With The Build, we’re pulling back the curtain to reveal the nitty gritty details of turning a concept into a living, breathing, eatery. In this episode we tackle one of the biggest obstacles to realizing your concept: the lease. Plus, this episode introduces a key player in making Ursula 2.0 a reality. Meet Lani Halliday: event producer, baker, brand builder, and hilarious human. Get to know her and how she got wrapped up in Eric’s vision. The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional Music in this episode by HolinzaCC0, Jahzzar, & TGR Banks. Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In The Build, we’re following one chef’s journey to open a brand new restaurant, from signing the lease until the doors actually open. If you haven't listened to the first episode, you should start there. In this episode, we hear some of our earliest recordings with Eric, where he fills us in on the months-long journey to find Ursula a new home. Along the way we traverse Brooklyn, negotiate with shady real estate brokers, and even have a brush with death. The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional Music in this episode by Andy G. Cohen, Koi-discovery, Correspondence, Dilating Times, & HolinzaCC0. Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this season of Opening Soon, we’re undertaking a project we’ve been wanting to do for years. In The Build, we’re going to follow one chef’s journey to open a brand new restaurant as it’s happening. From the moment that they signed the lease until the doors are actually open, you’ll get to witness the emotional highs and the lows, how things go well, how things get delayed; all in real time. In this episode, we meet the subject of our series, hear a bit about their food journey so far, and get a sneak peek at what’s coming this season. The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman. Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson. Additional Music in this episode by Andy G. Cohen, Koi-discovery & HolinzaCC0. This episode was brought to you by Made In, visit madein.com to learn more about their cookware Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we present to you an episode from one of our favorite hospitality insider podcasts, Copper & Heat. Listen in for an amazing deep dive into the world behind the Michelin guide... If you were to rate the Michelin Guide, how many stars would you give it? When Katy was working in the Bay Area in her early 20s, she would have given the Michelin Guide 3 stars, because those were the restaurants she felt like she had to work to learn about the most innovative and interesting food. How has that changed? In this last episode of our fourth season, Katy and Rachel dig into the history, the data, and the money behind the Michelin Guide in the U.S. with help from Krishnendu Ray (professor at NYU) and Beth Forrest (professor at the CIA). By the end of the research, Katy and Rachel had very different ratings for the Guide than what their 24-year-old selves would have given it. What about you? For more from Copper & Heat plus resources related to this episode, click here! For more from Opening Soon: Launching next week, The Build. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support Opening Soon by becoming a member! Opening Soon is Powered by Simplecast. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.