This season of The Build is a special season of Opening Soon, following chef and entrepreneur Rasheeda Purdie as she sets out to open the next evolution of her celebrated restaurant, Ramen by Ra. From finding the right space to navigating construction, payroll, and the pressures of building a business, The Build takes listeners behind the scenes of what it really takes to open a restaurant today: the highs, the heartbreaks, and everything in between.
Hosted by Alex McCrery and Jenny Goodman, co-founders of hospitality workwear brand TILIT NYC, this season captures the real-time journey of a chef turning vision into brick and mortar.
The Build: Ramen by Ra is produced in partnership with Heritage Radio Network and Square, whose tools help small business owners like Rasheeda manage payments, payroll, and growth every step of the way. Learn more and sign up for a special bonus episode at square.com/thebuild.
Produced by: Jenny Goodman, Alex McCrery, and Sam Gerardi
The Build, Episode 9 — Opening Day
December 9, 2025
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After months of planning, it all comes down to opening day — nerves, joy, and community collide.
In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda takes us behind the scenes of the final countdown. From a friends-and-family soft opening to the first customer reactions, this is the payoff of launching a restaurant in New York City.
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Great service is as memorable as the food itself — and the buzz starts before the doors open.
In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda defines her restaurant’s steps of service and launches her pre-opening marketing strategy. From rituals to Instagram captions, it’s all about creating connections before day one.
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Restaurants run on people. Hiring, training, and planning payroll can make or break a business.
In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda shares how she’s building her team with intention. From creating a culture of equity to managing wages and building sustainable financial models, it’s a candid look at people-first growth in the restaurant ...
Behind every smooth guest experience is technology that makes it all possible.
In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda sets up a Square-powered POS system that brings efficiency, data, and seamless retail to her new restaurant. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how tech and hospitality work hand in hand.
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The Build, Episode 5 — Layers of Flavor, Layers of Story
November 11, 2025
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Every dish tells a story. At Ramen by Ra, the menu is more than recipes — it’s a reflection of culture, innovation, and community.
In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda explores the process of menu creation. From broth to bao, she experiments with flavor, menu pricing, and neighborhood accessibility while balancing tradition with bold new ...
A restaurant isn’t just food. It’s an experience you can see, touch, and even taste.
In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda dives into the creative side of building a restaurant brand. From packaging to signage to merch, she shares how story, design, and sensory detail work together to shape the restaurant experience at Ramen by ...
Permits, contractors, and design dreams — restaurant building isn’t just physical, it’s emotional.
In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda walks us through the realities of construction. From dealing with red tape to contractor surprises and design compromises, it’s a raw look at the literal building of Ramen by Ra’s next ...
The Build, Episode 2 — Finding Space & Funding Growth
October 21, 2025
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Real estate, leases, and the nerve-wracking search for funding — this chapter of Rasheeda’s journey shows the high stakes of restaurant expansion.
In this episode of The Build, Rasheeda takes us inside her hunt for the perfect East Village space. From negotiating lease terms to navigating loans, she reveals how she’s securing Ramen by Ra’s ...
