Permits, contractors, and design dreams — restaurant building isn’t just physical, it’s emotional.

In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda walks us through the realities of construction. From dealing with red tape to contractor surprises and design compromises, it’s a raw look at the literal building of Ramen by Ra’s next chapter.

Explore Season 2 of The Build

• Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.
• Learn more about this episode here

Connect with Square:

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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/square
• Contact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact

Connect with TILIT:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYC
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/

The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Real estate, leases, and the nerve-wracking search for funding — this chapter of Rasheeda’s journey shows the high stakes of restaurant expansion.

In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda takes us inside her hunt for the perfect East Village space. From negotiating lease terms to navigating loans, she reveals how she’s securing Ramen by Ra’s future home.

Explore Season 2 of The Build

• Listen to the full season here and get access to an exclusive TILIT and Square promo offer.
• Learn more about this episode here

Connect with Square:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/square
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joinsquare/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/square
• Contact Sales: https://squareup.com/us/en/l/sales/contact

Connect with TILIT:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tilitnyc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TilitNYC
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tilitnyc/

The Build is a podcast series presented by Square and TILIT in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, sharing the grit, vision, and growth behind restaurant entrepreneurship.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the season premiere of The Build: Ramen by Ra, Chef Rasheeda Purdie takes us back to where it all began, her early days slinging soulful bowls of ramen at pop-ups across New York City. Now, she’s stepping into her next chapter: expanding Ramen by Ra from a beloved small-batch concept into a full-scale restaurant rooted in community, creativity, and courage.

Alongside hosts Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman, co-founders of TILIT, Rasheeda shares the story of how her Asa-Ramen roots shaped her vision for modern New York hospitality. The episode dives deep into the emotional leap from chef to founder, the realities of growth, and what it takes to build something that’s truly your own.

Presented by Square and produced in partnership with Heritage Radio Network, this episode is a must-listen for food lovers, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about what it really takes to grow a restaurant dream in New York City. Learn more and sign up for a special bonus episode at square.com/thebuild.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.