In the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis, a new seafood boil restaurant is just days away from its grand opening.
Babii Cajun, owned and operated by Sou, is a women- and Asian-owned restaurant that opened at the beginning of 2025 and serves mouthwatering Cajun-Asian seafood dishes. The restaurant is currently takeout-only, operating out of a ghost kitchen in St. Paul. However, it’s now preparing to take a major step forward with the opening of its first full-service sit-down restaurant in Uptown early next month.
Sou’s entrepreneurial spirit sparked at a young age. Growing up in Laos, she would gather sweet tamarind from her grandmother’s backyard to sell throughout her village, pedaling her pink bicycle from home to home. Through this early experience, she learned a lesson that has stayed with her ever since: a good product speaks for itself. That instinct to share food and build community ultimately led to the creation of Babii Cajun.
Yet Sou’s journey has not been without challenges. With a limited support network and little startup capital, she stepped into business ownership on her own, relying on resilience, determination, and a deep belief in her vision to move forward. “As a small business owner, especially in the food industry, every decision matters,” Sou shared. “Learning through trial and error was one of the toughest parts of the journey.”
Despite these early hurdles, Babii Cajun quickly began to flourish. With every new customer who sampled the food, the restaurant gained loyal supporters. One customer in particular became more than a regular—she became a friend who genuinely wanted to see the business succeed. She encouraged Sou to reach out to WomenVenture if she ever needed support as a new business owner.
This simple recommendation opened a new path. After connecting with WomenVenture in May 2025, Sou received a loan that allowed her to accelerate the expansion of Babii Cajun. The funding supported investments in essential equipment, inventory, and the build-out of the new restaurant space.
Sou explained, that without the loan, it would have taken two to three years—or more—to save enough money to open a sit-down restaurant, and by then, the Uptown space would have likely been gone. “Having access to capital at the right time allowed me to move forward without cutting corners and focus on building a strong, sustainable restaurant,” she said.
Since receiving the loan, Sou has remained closely connected to WomenVenture, participating in personalized business consulting and completing a QuickBooks Online course to strengthen her long-term financial planning.
As Babii Cajun enters this next chapter, the restaurant aims to serve as a welcoming space for the community to gather, connect, and enjoy great food. “I strive to give back and grow alongside the community that supports me,” Sou shared.
Sou’s advice to women considering starting their own business is simple but powerful: believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help. “Programs like WomenVenture exist to give women like us the opportunity and support we didn’t always have, but always deserved,” she said. “Trust the process, stay consistent, and don’t let fear stop you from pursuing your dream.”
WomenVenture is honored to support entrepreneurs like Sou, who are creating a lasting impact within their communities. To support Babii Cajun, order online through their website, follow them on social media @BabiiCajunSeafood, or join them for their grand opening on March 1st at 1221 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408.
Author: Autumn Lamparty, WomenVenture Grant Writer
