Your Name: Sonia Kapadia
Business Name: Taste Savant, an online restaurant locating service
Type of Business: Food & Beverage
Business Location: New York, NY, United States
Website http://newyork.tastesavant.com/
Twitter @tastesavant
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TasteSavant
Reason for starting
I had worked at 2 startups prior to starting Taste Savant including Gu Chocolate Desserts in London which we sold, and Rent the Runway in NYC. I always knew I wanted to start a business but I needed an idea. It all came to me when one day I was sitting on the couch planning date night. It took me an hour to choose a restaurant after googling restaurants, asking friends for their suggestions, reading reviews from critics, checking out the menu, and booking a table on Open Table. I thought: “There has got to be a better way of doing this” and that’s how Taste Savant was born. Taste Savant is a highly curated restaurant discovery site that aggregates the best restaurants and reviews from trusted sources and only those sources. I’ve created a one stop shop where you can find a restaurant, learn what experts think, view a menu, book a table, and order delivery, all in one place.
How do you define success?
I define success as growth. I have led a life driven by intellectual curiosity where I’ve constantly pushed myself to learn more and grow. Real success for me comes from this constant honing and building of skills. I rarely allow myself to get comfortable and instead put myself in uncomfortable situations where I’m forced to adapt and learn.
Biggest Success
Launching my business while 9 months pregnant!
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
We compete in a very crowded space with a lot of players trying to solve the restaurant discovery pain point. While it is difficult to break through the clutter we have been able to create a strong brand and a clear point of difference. Users love our product and we work to continue improving and setting ourselves apart.
Who is your most important role model?
My husband. I look up to him, get advice from him, and work to make him proud.