Daily Inspiration: Meet Athar Radwan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Athar Radwan

Hi Athar, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The Parisian began as a dream, one that took root while I was working in a crepe shop in Paris. Immersed in the craft, I dedicated myself to learning everything about the business, paying close attention to the intricacies of food preparation. When I moved to the United States, I shared this dream with my brother-in-law, and to our delight, we both envisioned the same path: opening a crepe shop. Initially, we searched for a permanent location, but with limited funds, we couldn’t afford a storefront. Undeterred, we saved diligently, eventually purchasing a brand-new trailer to launch our food truck. And so, The Parisian was born, turning our dream into reality.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our journey with The Parisian was far from easy. Being among the few from our Bangladeshi community to own a food truck in Michigan, we had no one to turn to for advice or guidance. Lacking a mentor within our circle, we resorted to visiting numerous food trucks, spending countless hours observing their day-to-day operations. We carefully watched how they ran their businesses, hoping to glean some insight. Fortunately, we encountered a few kind-hearted food truck owners who were generous enough to share their knowledge with us.

However, the challenges didn’t stop there. Our finances became a significant hurdle. Midway through building the truck, we found ourselves out of funds. To complete the project, we had to borrow $16,000, a debt that weighed heavily on us. But despite these struggles, we pushed forward, determined to make our dream a reality.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At The Parisian, we specialize in crafting authentic French crepes, both savory and sweet, that transport our customers straight to the streets of Paris. Our food truck offers a unique blend of traditional recipes and modern flavors, paired with refreshing smoothies that complement our crepes perfectly. We’re known for our attention to detail, from the quality of ingredients we use to the care we take in every step of preparation.

I’m most proud of how far we’ve come from our humble beginnings. Starting with a dream and facing numerous challenges along the way, we’ve built something that brings joy to people through food. What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity and the personal touch we bring to every crepe we serve. We’re not just selling food; we’re sharing a piece of our story, culture, and passion with every customer. The connection we build with our community and the smiles we see after someone takes that first bite—those are the moments we cherish most.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
We didn’t have a formal business plan in writing, which led to many struggles along the way. Through this experience, we learned that having a solid business plan is essential when starting a business.

Pricing:

• Our Combo is $15 that’s one sweet one savory crepes and one soda of your choice.
• Savory start from $9.99 to $11.99
• Sweet start from $4 base
• Smoothie $5.99 we use real fruit to make smoothies
• Soda and water $1.49 $1

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theparisian.godaddysites.com/
• Instagram: Parisian_2024
• Facebook: The Parisian
• Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LhtdRVcouafJhGZj6