SU program helps disabled entrepreneurs get started
Posted: 12.16.2010 at 5:40 PM
Photo

SYRACUSE -- For years, Della Brown dreamed of opening a Mexican restaurant - an idea she got from her husband.

"He liked the way I was cooking tacos at home, so he kind of put the idea in my head, " Brown says.

That idea turned into "Tacolicious", Syracuse's newest Mexican restaurant on 308 South Warren Street.

For Brown, who has battled Lupus for ten years, starting a business was not easy. But Brown was able to open the restaurant thanks to the help of Syracuse University's Inclusive Entrepreneurship Program. The federally funded program has helped 50 local people with disabilities open their own businesses in the past three and a half years.

Gary Shaheen says the Inclusive Entrepreneur Program is a collaborative effort involving students, faculty and the community all working to help dream's like Della's come true.

"Thats why this program was so important because it takes their dreams and transforms them, transitions them and helps them create a reality for them."

Though she just opened, Della says business at Tacolicious is off to a good start. Della hopes her business will inspire others battling disabilities to follow their dreams of owning their own business as well.

"It's tough you got a dream and a passion you can do it. You can do it," she says.

For more information, visit www.tacolicous1.com.