Fund Me, KC: Family drives KC Pinoy food truck toward brick and mortar

Startland News is continuing its segment to highlight area entrepreneurs’ efforts to accelerate their businesses. This is an opportunity for entrepreneurs — like KC Pinoy Founder Chrissy Nucum — to share their stories to gain a little help from their supporters.

Nucum

Who are you?

I’m Chrissy Nucum, owner and operator of KC Pinoy.

What does KC Pinoy do?

KC Pinoy, we are a food truck based in Kansas City, Missouri. We have been serving delicious Filipino food since 2015.

What’s your “why”?

Our story began three years ago. Inspired by my family recipes, KC Pinoy’s goal is to showcase Filipino and Kamampangan cuisine in Kansas City.

When I first moved to Kansas City in 2007 from the East Coast, I noticed that there were no Filipino restaurants in town. I’ve always wondered why Filipino food and culture were never in the mainstream like other Asian food cultures out there. I just wanted to open people up to Filipino food so they can discover that we are so much more than just lumpia and pancit.

After extensive research, truck buildout started in September and completed in November 2015. We have been serving in festivals, weddings, corporate events, and farmers markets ever since.

Chicken Adobo

Our food reflects the kind of food my family loves.

How much do you hope to raise?

$50,000

What do you plan to use the funds for?

The funds raised will be used to towards improvements to the existing space. I want the space to evoke the experience of eating in a Filipino home.

It will also be used for menu expansion — we want to celebrate traditional Filipino food highlighting Kapampangan cuisine. We are creating a menu that will satisfy all palates, from carnivores to vegans. We are also working with businesses in the Philippines and Kansas City to feature their products in our menu. From sustainable dried seafood products in Cebu, to single-origin chocolate in Davao, to Filipino coffee beans roasted in Grandview, Missouri. We are also adding a carefully curated cocktail menu featuring local spirits.

We are also planning on using as much reusable dinnerware as possible. We use so many disposable items in the truck that we would like to do the exact opposite at the restaurant.

Tocino

How are you differentiating your campaign?

Besides social media, we have partnered with businesses in the metro to share our campaign and story with their customers. Kansas City has so many entrepreneurs who support other entrepreneurs that we have gotten such a positive response. You can see our posters and flyers on storefronts, community boards, and libraries around the city.

Is there anything quirky with your campaign?

We do have a couple of pop-ups planned to start highlighting the kind of food we plan on serving at the restaurant. We just did a brunch pop up last Sunday in North Kansas City. We are doing a second one right before the campaign ends — hopefully a dinner and happy hour one.

What’s some advice you have to others launching a crowdfunding campaign?

Be prepared. Just like running a food truck, there is a tremendous amount of work required to not to just launch a campaign but to ensure its success. It takes time and money — yes, money to raise more money!

And you have to surround yourself with talented people – social media, graphic design, photography. I am lucky enough to have an amazing team helping me with our journey to put down roots in Kansas City.

If you or your startup is running a crowdfunding campaign, let us know by contacting news@startlandnews.com