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:

• 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.

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.

It’s the day we’ve been waiting for all season: Ursula is open! In this episode we hear the staff celebrating on opening night, and debrief with Eric and Lani about surviving their first week of service. Plus, Jenny and Alex reminisce on the opening - and closing - days of their restaurant Goods.

The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman.
Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson.

Additional music in this episode by Doctor Turtle, HolinzaCC0, Andy G. Cohen, Jan-Michael Hökenschnieder & Fachhochschule, and 10 Echo.

Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast.

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

It’s the final week before opening and a LOT is happening. Moving day, construction, staff training, friends and family; this episode has it all. Plus, a visit from Ursula herself!

The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman.
Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson.

Additional Music in this episode by HolinzaCC0, Jan-Michael Hökenschnieder & Fachhochschule, and Captive Portal.

Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast.

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

On this season of Opening Soon– which we are affectionately calling The Build– we’re taking a look at all aspects of opening a brick and mortar. In today’s episode, we’ll hop onto a rollercoaster of emotions. We’re painting a picture of how self care and mental health look during a build, and using all the colors we can get our hands on. Listen in for some deep reflections, lessons learned along the way, and an intimate look behind the scenes of team TILIT.

The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman.
Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson.

Additional Music in this episode by HolinzaCC0, Koi-Discovery,, Rowan Jane, Jahzzar, Portrayal, Bauchamp

Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast.

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

In this episode of The Build; tune into Eric - in conversation with his collaborators - as he spends time intentionally sourcing ingredients, wines and spirits for his new beverage menus at Ursula's new home.

If you want to hear more John deBary, he's creating a limited-run companion podcast with HRN for his new book Saved by the Bellini. Subscribe to the Eat Your Words wherever you get your podcasts to get the episodes as they launch. (Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | RSS).

The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman.
Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson.

Additional Music in this episode by Jahzzar, Jan-Michael Hökenschnieder & Fachhochschule Dortmund, TRG Banks, Rowan Jane, Fields Ohio.

Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast.

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

The Build takes a deep dive into the process of building up a new restaurant from signing the lease to opening day. In this episode, not only do you get more glimpses at the fun aesthetic bits, but you’ll also hear about the processes and systems behind making sure customers feel taken care of in the space that Eric and Team Ursula are in the middle of creating. Between architects pointing fingers at plumbers, and deciding on plate ware, you’ll hear about the nitty gritty required to build up (and out) your brick and mortar world.

The Build is produced by Taylor Early, Armen Spendjian, H Conley, Matt Patterson, and hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman.
Audio engineering by Armen Spendjian, H Conley and Matt Patterson.

Additional Music in this episode by HolinzaCC0, TRG Banks, Koi-Discovery, Dilating Times, Rowan Jane, Andy G. Cohen, Oji.

Opening Soon is powered by Simplecast.

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