Applications Open To Join Tulsa Restaurant Incubator Program

A Tulsa restaurant incubator program is looking for applicants to join its spring classes to help bring their dreams of running a restaurant to life. 

Running a restaurant is not easy, and Se Yeon Kim knows firsthand that it requires you to wear many hats.  

"What are roles that I don't do, that's the better question to ask," said Kim.

Se Yeon and her mom own Sobahn 82.

"82 in Korean is a slang for fast."

They are the current residents at Kitchen 66's space here in Mother Road Market and graduates of its incubator program meant to help grow and develop passionate food entrepreneurs.

"I'm ready to share my culture and my food and my family again to Tulsa, and when I heard this opportunity, I was like, ‘this is a great way to kind of get back into it as a full-grown adult,’" said Kim.

Program organizers are taking applications now for the 13-week course that will provide participants with commercial kitchen space, teach them business economics, and give them a chance to feature their food in Mother Road Market. 

Se Yeon says along with learning the skills to succeed, her big takeaway was building a community. 

"It reminded me that there was more to running a business than to have a successful money-making business that brings you money, but to have a personal connection to the people that you're doing the business with," said Kim. 

She says making a leap of faith to start a business can be scary, but says the teachers in the program inspired her to thrive. 

"To know that they are here to be celebrating your success, to help you with your ups and downs, it means a lot, and you shouldn't feel scared to have someone who cares about you in your life and your journey to be a successful businessperson," she said. 

Se Yeon's restaurant is only here for two weeks, but she revels in the opportunity to share her food with Tulsa.

"It means a lot, and I just can't say enough how grateful I am that people come and enjoy our food,” said Kim.  

Tuition for the program is $500, but organizers say scholarship opportunities are available. 

For more information on how to apply, visit their website here.

The deadline to apply is January 14.