Issue link: http://endeavor.uberflip.com/i/414924
Roger Duarte and Sam Gorenstein 51 NETWORK Carl Juste, Miami Herald FOCUS Roger Duarte & Sam Gorenstein COMPANY My Ceviche INDUSTRY Consumer YEAR SELECTED 2013 EMPLOYEES AT SELECTION 42 EMPLOYEES 2014 80 SAM AND ROGER, natives of Colombia and Mexico respectively, saw the potential for a high-quality sea- food restaurant that embraces the affordability of a fast-casual concept. Sam's culinary background found its complement in business-savvy Roger and —after "dating" each other to assess their compatibility as busi- ness partners —the duo opened their first South Beach location in 2012. The company has been profitable since day one and the first location repaid the entrepreneurs' initial investment within nine weeks. Three months later, demand began out- pacing the restaurant's capacity and Sam and Roger opened a third location. The entrepreneurs plan to open two more locations including a coveted spot at Miami International Airport. Endeavor is helping the restaurateurs pursue their aggressive growth ambitions. Both entre- preneurs were recognized on Forbes' "30 Under 30" list, proving they have become role models for Miami's burgeoning entrepreneurship ecosystem. IN ITS FIRST YEAR of operation, Endeavor Miami screened over 120 companies and sent four to International Selection Panels, where all four were selected as Endeavor Entrepreneurs. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL profiled Endeavor Miami's work with local entrepreneurs in an article exploring the city's rapidly growing entrepreneurship eco- system, paying particular attention to the work of Endeavor Miami Board Member and mentor, Andres Moreno, and Endeavor Entrepreneur Jesus Rodriguez, founder of KidoZen. JESUS RODRIGUEZ , co-founder and CEO of KidoZen, an enterprise mobile-first platform as a service redefining the future of enterprise mobile solutions, has been recognized as an innovator in the areas of enterprise software and solutions, achieving important awards like the Inc 500 and the Stevie Awards for American and International Business. THE MIAMI HERALD featured a profile of Leapfactor in which L'Oreal, one of the company's clients, highlighted the benefits of using its business applications. Endeavor Miami supports seven entrepreneurs from four companies. ENDEAVOR MAIN OFFICE Miami (2013) IN 2014 , Endeavor Miami formed an Advisory Board for one portfolio company and initiated fundraising preparations for another. The team also facilitated one-on-one mentor sessions and coordinated entrepreneur-to-entre- preneur connections for Endeavor network mem- bers from other markets. Additionally, an Endeavor Global mentor joined the Advisory Board of an Endeavor Miami company. Overall, mentors donated more than 350 hours in the first year of operations.