All Signs Clear For Business Expansion

For the small business owner, it is sometimes difficult to determine the right time to grow.

UA ASBTDC client Mariana Alvarez did not want to see a window of opportunity close and took the steps necessary to expand Na’guara, her food truck business that offers Venezuelan cuisine.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas was Mariana’s first stop in 2022 when she decided to move from a home-based business to a food truck. Carolina Mejia, ASBTDC bilingual business consultant, worked with her to develop the business, creating a business plan to obtain funding for Na’guara plus the necessary marketing tools for promotion in Northwest Arkansas.

Opening one year ago at The Boardwalk in Springdale, Mariana and her team serve customers 5 days a week. By any standard, Na’guara has been a resounding success.

“We did not expect such a welcome from the community,” said Mariana.

Throughout the past year, she received numerous requests to sell her products at public and private events. Mariana began by providing service in tents and it soon became apparent that growing the business would require the purchase of a second truck for use at off-site events.

Mariana met again with Carolina to evaluate expansion. The following signs were analyzed to determine if Na’guara was ready:

1. You have more business than you can handle.
2. Your customers seek you out.
3. You have a loyal customer base as well as customers coming from a distance.
4. You can demonstrate clear social value for your products.
5. People rarely try to negotiate your prices.
6. You are profitable with your current sales and infrastructure.
7. You can figure out how your team could run things while you will focus on expansion.
8. You have consistent cash flow and financial stability.

Checking all the boxes, Mariana moved forward with expansion plans and purchased the second food truck for events.

“Successful businesses should grow and the key to doing it well is planning and timing. If your business has met these benchmarks, you are likely ready to grow. If not quite ready, you have steps to measure for future growth,” noted Carolina.

Na’Guara
The Boardwalk Food Truck Court
3445 S. Old Missouri Rd, Springdale, AR. 72764
For information on event services:
Call or text: 479-249-3665
Email: naguarafoodllc@gmail.com