Like many small business owners, Purvi Patel, a franchise owner of fast-casual Mexican grill Dos Bros, was struggling to keep her restaurant going during the pandemic. After attending a University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) class on small business funding and pandemic resources, Patel set up a meeting with UGA SBDC business advisor Nora Guzman to help guide her through the pandemic funding process.
Patel’s relationship with UGA SBDC in Rome has grown to focus on other areas of the business, from business financials and marketing plans to expanding catering options and streamlining the ordering process. Today, Dos Bros has added two more franchise locations and has seen a significant growth in revenue.
“I helped them navigate how to get funding from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and helped them figure out the loan forgiveness process, but our relationship has expanded since,” said Guzman. “Anytime Purvi has business-related questions, she knows she can call me.”
Guzman helped Patel dive into her business financials and use that information in her financial decisions.
“We were looking at alternatives for growth,” said Guzman. “I did an analysis on their best sellers, what are they known for. We found catering brought in a higher profit margin than just individual sales.”
With that information in hand, Patel shifted her focus to growing the catering arm of her business through marketing and a reorganization of operations.
“We are currently working to streamline the process for corporate catering in the northwest Georgia area for both pick-up and delivery,” said Patel. “We’ve done a web analysis and market research to better understand our market and better serve our customer base.”
Guzman helped Patel prepare a marketing campaign focused on catering and coached her on how to be strategic in her efforts.
In addition to serving catering orders, Patel enjoys serving her community by being involved in nonprofit organizations.
“Her commitment to her community has been part of her success,” Guzman said of Patel. “She’s found a way to get people in the door of her restaurant while also giving back to non-profit organizations that she’s passionate about.”
By hosting community spirit nights, Dos Bros is able to donate 30% of its sales to partnering organizations.
In addition, Patel works with Crossplains Community Partners to employ individuals with intellectual disabilities and give them real-world experiences. She also works with Dalton Public Schools and Whitfield County Schools’ Work Based Learning programs to provide students with structured work experiences. Being connected to the UGA SBDC helps Patel keep her business aligned with her community outreach goals.
“This is a reason we continue to look so closely at our financial projections and business plan with the UGA SBDC,” said Patel. “We want to make sure our business succeeds and that we can continue to work with our community partners.”
Since opening her first Dos Bros restaurant in Dalton in 2018, Patel has opened locations in Rome and Marietta and hopes to open another in northwest Georgia in the future.
Even more impressive is the personal growth Patel has experienced since reaching out to the UGA SBDC. She was awarded Diplomat of the Year in 2021 by the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce, has been nominated for the organization’s Small Business Award, and graduated from the Leadership Dalton-Whitfield program in 2024.
Patel believes the secret to her success lies in working hard, staying focused, and conducting herself with integrity. Those principles serve as her guide and shape every action of her professional journey.
“We are thankful for the UGA SBDC,” said Patel. “It provides us with great consultants and business resources that help us to be successful so we can continue to serve our communities.”
