When Marisa Wiruhayam, the owner of Tasty Thai and Big Bowl Pho, left Thailand for the U.S. several years ago, she was looking forward to a fresh start. She settled into her new home to raise her family and begin learning about her new home. But then tragedy struck. Her husband died unexpectedly, leaving her to raise two small children, with a limited grasp of English and no real job skills.

Marisa’s story is one of perseverance and dedication. Today, she owns several Thai restaurants in Kansas City. And, always seeking more ways to expand, she recently began bottling sauces based on old family recipes and selling them through local grocery stores and retailers.

Marisa’s journey is both inspirational and informational. Listen in as she tells her story about not giving up and shares her advice for building a strong business.