Más Masa
“We went to many technical assistance providers to get help with our business, and this was the first time we truly felt like we got the support we needed. Thank you, SBDC for this incredibly valuable service and for making my dreams come true!”

Profile

Karina Carillo and Ana Medina are the proud owners of Más Masa, a full service authentic Mexican restaurant in Fairfax, CA. Since taking ownership of the existing restaurant in 2022, they have devoted all their energy to transforming Más Masa to ensure authentic recipes made from fresh, high-quality ingredients that showcase the rich flavors and culinary traditions of Mexico.
Karina, a trained chef with years of industry experience, ensures quality at every step of her cooking process, starting with fresh maize to make handmade tortillas that capture the taste of the ones her mother made during her childhood.
Más Masa has become a local favorite, known for its inviting outdoor patio, delicious menu, and craft beverages.
Challenge

Finding a suitable space for the restaurant was a significant challenge, as well as the funding to make it a reality. Karina and Ana spent years searching for the ideal location. SBDC Advisor Richard Strezo played a critical role in reviewing potential options and assessing the overall feasibility of different spaces.
Karina and Ana sought a loan through a credit union, but the process was frustratingly slow, so much so that the delay nearly cost them the deal. Richards’s technical assistance was invaluable during this time, helping them structure the loan application to demonstrate their eligibility and pass through the credit review.
As female business owners, Karina and Ana faced cultural challenges in being accepted as leaders. Managing a team in an industry where many had left due to the pandemic added another layer of complexity.
“SBDC Advisor Richard Strezo helped negotiate on our behalf and kept encouraging us to stay positive and trust it would be possible for us to open our dream restaurant. It worked!”
Karina Carillo & Ana Medina, owners, Más Masa Restaurant
Game Plan
When the Más Masa location became available, Karina and Ana recognized it as an ideal opportunity—an operational restaurant with an existing clientele requiring less investment. Their SBDC Advisor was instrumental in helping them evaluate this option and determine how to make it work.
The process was challenging, as ensuring that the lender fully understood the transaction was essential. Advisor Richard Strezo spent considerable time structuring the loan application to demonstrate Karina and Ana’s eligibility, the intended use of proceeds, business cash flow, and global cash flow.
Overcoming several processing issues along the way, Richard helped them prepare the loan request and financials to ensure the application would pass through credit review successfully.
The collaborative efforts between Richard, Karina, and Ana were vital in securing the funding they needed to bring their business vision to life.
Today, Karina takes pride in their thriving restaurant and the fact that it provides stable jobs for her employees to support their families. She is also committed to helping her team grow as the business expands
Results
- Opened their dream business in 2022
- Acquired $273,000 in funding
- Invested over $100,000 into their business
- Grew their sales by 75% which surpassed their projections
- Hired 5 full time and 12 part time staff
- Loyal customers that visit their restaurant weekly from Redwood City and other surrounding areas
- Built strong connections in the local community with great support by the neighboring businesses
- Formed partnerships with local farms and vendors to ensure they fulfilled their vision of local, sustainable and healthy food.