Auria's Malaysian Kitchen

 

While living in her college dorm, Auria Abraham would regularly cook Malaysian meals for friends.  She quickly learned to tone down the heat in her cooking when friends' faces turned bright red and large pitchers of water were needed to put out the fire. In 2011, She created an underground supper club series in her home in Brooklyn, hosting and feeding up to 20 people at a time. In 2013, she made her authentic Malaysian food available to the American public by launching Auria's Malaysian Kitchen.

 

‘My mission is to bring the distinct and wonderfully diverse flavors of Malaysia into the kitchen of every passionate home cook

with a taste for adventure’

 

Auria decided to expand her line of products and, in early 2025, met with Pace SBDC Business Advisor Rawle Brown for a session at the district offices of Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Auria’s representative in 42nd District of Brooklyn.  They compiled a loan package and reached out to potential lenders, including Wendy Liu from Renaissance Economic Development. Renaissance subsequently approved a financing facility and Auria has already started utilizing the funds to expand her business by creating three part-time jobs.

 

Auria has also started a relationship with Mercedes Sanchez-Moore, Director of International Trade  at the NYSBDC’s Central Office in an effort to export her products. Auria became eligible and received a State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant.  Auria is currently working with Mercedes alongside the Department of Commerce’ Nicholas Thomas, International Trade Specialist,  in an effort to locate overseas customers.

 

Auria said “The Pace SBDC resources have been instrumental in moving my business forward.  They are always available and eager to work with entrepreneurs and are an underutilized resource for those with entrepreneurial dreams.”

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