Kavitha Nimmagadda, owner
Sankranti Fine Dining
Sankranti is an Indian fine dining restaurant and banquet hall in Johns Creek. The name Sankranti (pronounced sum-kraanthi) translates to “positive change” in Sanskrit and is derived from the traditional three-day Indian harvest festival that shares its name. Each January during Sankranti, family, friends, and neighbors gather to enjoy abundant meals and spend quality time together, much like Thanksgiving in the United States. The restaurant strives to bring the same ambiance to its guests. SankrantiRestaurants.com
Hanh Nguyen, owner
July Moon Bakery & Café, an award-winning dessert shop in Alpharetta and a top bubble tea shop in North Atlanta, recently turned one. They take pride in being a new café concept featuring bánh mì (Vietnamese sandwiches), bubble tea, specialty coffee, and Asian-inspired desserts like their signature chocolate chip with walnut cookies. All are house-made in small batches with local, fresh, seasonal, and natural ingredients. Many gluten-friendly and non-dairy options are available.
The Spring Menu is out with fresh made-to-order spring rolls with your choice of protein, organic spring mix, shredded coconut, and rice vermicelli noodles wrapped in rice paper served with house made peanut-hoisin sauce. Desserts include popular Japanese pastries, Sakura (cherry blossom) cupcakes and cake rolls, couture mini cakes for Mother's Day, and strawberry cinnamon rolls.
What advice would give a woman in your industry?
As a new owner in the restaurant industry, while trying to be a present mom, I'm learning how to operate and sustain the business...LEAN-wise, with effective time management, maintaining the books and payroll, identifying and developing good (and popular) products, upholding quality and consistency, staying customer-focused, and being agile with the ever-changing staff and team schedules. I'm also constantly finding creative ways to improve, promote, and grow our business through strategic partnerships and enabling multiple revenue channels.
What I've learned in one year:
- Do not trust anyone 100%, including employees. Review camera recordings and verify what they say.
- Check accounts and invoices to avoid duplicate payments or overpayment. Cut unnecessary costs.
- Streamline operations, processes, and formulas.
- Seek and source from reliable vendors, especially local ones. Always support local!
- Stay LEAN overall.
- Grow slowly and steadily and maintain consistency and quality.
What I need to improve:
- Finance, accounting, and advanced analytics.
- Service response times.
- Organization and maintenance.
Ignite your dreams and make them a reality! Be a person of positive impact and make this community and this world a better place. Be the game changer. Be the shift. It starts with YOU!
230 S. Main Street, Suite Z @The Maxwell
Alpharetta