Community Corner
SCORE Helps Food Truck Owner Expand to Takeout Restaurant
Da Bomb Taco to open new carry-out eatery in Ferndale this summer.
Lisa Session wants to revive her native Michigan, starting with the summer addition of her carry-out Mexican restaurant, Da Bomb Taco.
Session, who in 2022 launched a food truck by the same name, plans to open an eatery this summer at 1100 W. 8 Mile Road in Ferndale.
Recalling a “thriving commercial corridor back in the day,” Session hopes to be the stepping stone for other businesses to provide sought-after clothing, shopping and dining experiences in her Detroit hometown and nearby.
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A financial analyst with the city of Detroit, Session, a self-described “hospitality superhero,” started her food truck after recognizing a gap in her community.
“There were no fast-casual Mexican offerings,” said Session, a graduate of SchoolCraft College’s culinary school. “I have a passion for hospitality and beautiful food.”
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Leading up to starting her food truck, Session worked as a line cook, server, hostess and a dishwasher.
“I’ve literally done all of the roles front of house and back of house to prepare me for this opportunity,” said Session, adding that the world-renowned master chefs she trained with at Schoolcraft encouraged her to pursue her culinary dreams. “They let me know that I have a gift and a true prowess in this field.”
She used the food truck for the last three seasons to prove her restaurant concept would be well-received and viable.
In an effort to take her “explosive flavors” to a larger platform, Session participated in SCORE’s 60th Anniversary Pitch Competition. SCORE is a national nonprofit organization that supports small businesses through free mentoring.
Session was one of 45 finalists. More than 2,200 small businesses applied to compete in five pitch events. Contestants were pared down to 60 contenders. Participants were matched with SCORE mentors to refine their pitches, strengthen their presentations, and hone their business plans. Session teamed with SCORE Susquehanna mentor Louis Logan, a retired executive chef for the Hilton and Marriott.
“Her business plan was solid,” Logan said. “For what she had to work with and what she was doing, you could tell she had great ambition. I was totally impressed overall.”
Session credits Logan with helping to tailor and strengthen her pitch.
“We’re just so grateful to have had that experience, that national platform,” Session said. “It did so much for my confidence. We can achieve everything that we seek out.”
While 2024 was a “record year,” Session has even higher hopes for 2025. She intends to keep the food truck up and running in tandem with the new restaurant.
“When we drive it around it’s like a billboard. We get so much action,” she said. “They love to have a food truck at their event. It’ll be stronger because of the restaurant. We’ll have that home base.”
To learn more about SCORE, request a mentor, or volunteer to be one, visit score.org.
About SCORE
Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 17 million entrepreneurs start, grow, or successfully exit a business. SCORE’s 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources, and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit score.org.
