Today we’d like to introduce you to Taniya Ahmed.
Hi Taniya, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Food has always held a special place in my heart.
It’s a big part of my family and where I come from, a way to show love and bring people together. Growing up, my grandmother, whom I called “nani” often said, ‘It’s better to serve than be served.’ Witnessing her acts of kindness sparked a desire to bring joy to people through food.
I also worked for a large beverage company that exposed me to successful restaurateurs. Seeing how passionate others are, even in a tough industry, was an inspiration.
With that passion and inspiration, I decided to take a chance. I learned everything I could about running a restaurant by asking my mentors numerous questions, watching YouTube videos, and spending countless hours doing research on the internet. Thanks to the amazing support of my friends and family, I opened my cafe, Sunbliss, in 2020 during the pandemic.
Creating Sunbliss wasn’t just about fulfilling a dream for myself; it was about honoring the legacy of the happiest memories from my life and cultural upbringing. Every cup of coffee, every healthy bowl, and every toast is made with the intention of sharing that joy with our community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were definitely unique challenges we faced along the way. From managing finances during a downturn to navigating inflation. With essential goods like food packaging, produce, and supplies, we’d find out there was something out of stock without a clear sense of timelines regarding future availability. We learned to order up and always have a backup plan due to the nature of these logistics.
While the impact on my personal life has also been significant, I wouldn’t trade this journey for anything. I accepted early on that it takes sacrifice and compromise to achieve success.
Opening a restaurant in the middle of a pandemic was certainly not a walk in the park.
We were scheduled to originally open in March 2020. Our team had to deal with several delays and setbacks. I remained persistent and frequently followed up with health inspectors and equipment services. We kept pushing and by June, we were officially open for business.
Fast forward four years later, this journey has allowed me to work with incredibly talented and intelligent people, like our head of operations, Sarah, from whom I’ve gained invaluable insights. I have learned about culture, communication, and sincere optimism from Kaylee and Jessica. Thank you to our store leads, David and Bethany, for their outstanding recommendations for improving our business and their leadership. Each of you is deeply appreciated!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sunbliss Cafe?
Sunbliss Cafe is more than just a coffee shop. We believe in excellent customer service where everyone leaves with a good experience that brightens their day. This is accomplished through our food, drinks, and most importantly, our awesome team members. We understand all it takes is a micro-moment of joy that can truly transform a person’s day.
We offer a diverse menu featuring handcrafted beverages, healthy food options, and signature creations like our famous blue top lattes. We use fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and everything is made with love. We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming space where people feel like they are a part of the Sunbliss family. We treat everyone like family because they are a part of this incredible journey.
Our commitment to excellence in everything we do has earned us recognition from reputable sources like the LA Times, which named us one of the best cafes in Southern California. Yelp ranked us #6 in the nation, and we’re often featured in Orange Coast Magazine. These accolades are a testament to our dedication to quality, customer service, and community engagement.
We are most proud of the positive impact we have on our customers and the community. We frequently hear from customers about how our cafe has brightened their day or provided a space for meaningful connections. We take immense pride in contributing to the well-being and happiness of others.
Giving back to the community is also an important part of who we are. We support local schools, charitable initiatives, and support other small businesses.
We invite you to experience Sunbliss in Anaheim Hills and, hopefully, with more locations in the Orange County area.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
When I started in the restaurant industry, I knew only a couple of people who guided me and gave me some insight when I needed it. Most importantly, I learned a lot of my craft on YouTube and joined Facebook community groups with other coffee business owners.
Mentorship and networking events are out there if you look for them and put in the effort. There are industry events, online forums, and communities waiting to be tapped into. There are lots of knowledgeable and reputable people out there waiting to answer your questions.
I started to attend events where I watched other restaurant owners speak and network. Before I knew it, I started building a club of restaurateurs and a network of like-minded people. We eventually created a community where we constantly hype each other up, brainstorm ideas, and pick each other’s brain.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sunblisscafe.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunblisscafe/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sunblisscafe
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/sunblisscafe
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sunbliss-cafe-anaheim?sort_by=date_desc
