Gratitude

It takes a village, and we would not be where we are today without our valued partners. We are deeply grateful for your support across every touchpoint, from navigating legal requirements to perfecting the smallest details. We are always amazed by the people who have so graciously extended their resources to help us succeed and thrive.

We’re listing and sharing these resources to offer helpful references if helpful for your own purposes.

DESIGN + VISUALS

Playlist Studio – The brand redesign by Ray, Yuan, and their design team in 2024 was a pivotal moment for us. Their vision gave us the confidence and foundation needed to grow from a congee shop to an expanded offering of rice wine and tea. We are immensely grateful for their instrumental work.

Marites Algones -Thank you to my incredible friend, who is also our brilliant designer. Your work in 2019 transformed our congee shop, honing it into the memorable brand it is today and carving out a niche we never knew was possible. Your refined, original designs and discerning eye gave us the platform we needed to thrive. I admire you greatly, and your sense of fashion is always so inspiring!

Paul Quintoriano – Your exceptional photography and generous support during the COVID-19 pandemic will never be forgotten. Your work was instrumental in boosting our online ordering and helping us reach a much wider audience. We are truly grateful for your contribution to our business’s success.

Leanne Gan – We so appreciate you being open and willing to lend your talents to us. You are a truly wonderful person, and we still absolutely love the illustrations you created for us!

Yumiko Matsubara – Thank you for coming to our aid during the pandemic and designing our outdoor structure. And then again for our 2nd location at Fulton Street. Your professionalism was a breath of fresh air, and your ideas have had a lasting impact on us. We’re incredibly grateful for your help.

A+A+A Design Clinic – Three incredibly inspiring women forever changed how I view space and were instrumental in creating the future of Maya Bar. Their profound work and design speak for themselves, showcasing an admirable level of intimacy, thoughtfulness, and skill throughout the entire process.”

OPERATIONS

Ascendus Loans – During Covid, they gave me a lifeline loan that allowed me to build my outdoor structure. Just last month, they approved another loan that helped with debt consolidation and funding for renovations at both cafés. As a self-funded business, I can’t recommend them enough. Reach out to Jose (jmade@ascendus.org) — he is both knowledgeable and grounded. Grateful beyond words. 🙏

Cambridge & Leach – My longtime agent Pat literally saves me thousands. My liability policy was over $3,300/year. She found me the same coverage for under $1,000 (!!). If you need insurance that won’t sink you, reach out to her (lpleach@cambridgeandleach.com).They say it all the time and it’s true! You can saving thousands in insurance with the right policy.

CONSTRUCTION

Master Wu + his elite team: We are so grateful for our renovation team, whose ‘can-do’ attitude made the entire process enjoyable. From expertly custom-building all of our wooden counters and benches to nailing every last detail, their work speaks for itself. We wouldn’t trust anyone else with our repairs and maintenance. If you’d like their contact information, please reach out to us by email.”