Founders on the Rise: Taylor Mason

Inspired by LA street taco culture and a desire to bring the movement home, Taylor's Tacos has grown from a local idea into a catering company serving clients and taco lovers across the city. After winning the TechRise North Lawndale Pitch Competition in December, founder Taylor Mason has been busy scaling her business.

We sat down with Taylor to discuss the vision that shaped Taylor's Tacos. From the initial spark to critical business decisions, Taylor had a lot to share with the TechRise community.

A Journey Rooted in Community

Taylor grew up on Chicago's West Side, a community that shaped the way she thinks about both business and service. She recalls a culture where supporting your neighbors was second nature, and genuine connections were woven into everyday life. Those experiences strengthened her commitment to community but also helped develop the sharpness and resilience she believes are essential in entrepreneurship.

Her definition of community evolved when she was introduced to LA's vibrant street taco culture while attending Pepperdine University. When family called her back to Chicago, the experience stayed with her.

"That's where the idea was born, the LA to Chicago connection."

The energy around food, the accessibility, and the way people gathered around shared experiences immediately stood out. Returning home, Taylor felt a desire to build something of her own. Inspired by what she experienced in Los Angeles, she began imagining a concept that could bring that same sense of connection to Chicago.

Building a Community

"I sell tacos, but I really sell a community."

For Taylor, the vision was never just about tacos. It was about creating experiences that brought people together.

Her thoughts on community are simple: "In order to live, you have to belong to something."

She initially sold tacos for $1 at the Vibe Collective, using food to bring people together. Selling out each time convinced her to take the next step.

Taylor spent years refining the concept and building a business that reflected her values. Her partner, Maya, encouraged her to think more intentionally about where their ingredients came from, leading to changes like switching flour to make gluten free offerings. This inclusivity and attention to detail strengthened their connection with the community.

In 2016, they raised $3,000 from friends and family to get started. Two years later, Taylor's Tacos officially launched. This initial push of non-dilutive capital helped bring the business to life.

From the beginning, hospitality was a key focus. Whether serving a neighborhood event or a large-scale catering client, Taylor focused on creating an experience where people felt welcomed, valued, and connected. That commitment to thecommunity became a defining part of the brand and helped Taylor's Tacos stand out in a crowded market.

Growth, Challenges, and Learning to Pivot

Taylor's path has not always been straightforward.

As the business grew, Taylor's Tacos expanded into multiple areas, including catering, retail, and event space. This large undertaking stretched a small team thin and forced her to reevaluate where the company could have the greatest impact.

After initially running the business out of a brick-and-mortar location on Taylor Street, she realized that "you have to slow down to speed up" and made the shift to focus solely on catering. This critical decision allowed the business to strengthen operations, thrive during the pandemic, and continue growing sustainably.

Along the way, Taylor learned lessons that could only come from experience. Building a business required more than technical knowledge. It meant learning how to collaborate, communicate a vision, and bring people along for the journey.

Scaling with Support from TechRise

"Confidence is believing you can get the job done."

Taylor credits the village around her and the resources she has been able to access through TechRise as a catalyst for continued growth. Her journey reached an important milestone when she won $25,000 in non-dilutive funding at the TechRise North Lawndale Pitch Competition in December. She shared that the funding provided peace of mind, allowing the business to cover basic costs while thinking bigger about future growth.

With that support, Taylor purchased a food truck known as the Taco Bus, which officially launched in March 2026. The addition expanded catering capacity and helped the business reach new customers across Chicago. She also hired three part-time employees, strengthening the team and increasing operational capacity.

Beyond the funding itself, the competition brought visibility that helped position Taylor's Tacos for continued success.

More than a decade after the original idea first took shape, and over half a million tacos later, Taylor continues to build with the same sense of purpose that inspired her from the beginning.

That mindset has fueled Taylor's growth from selling $1 tacos in her community to building one of Chicago's most recognizable catering brands.

Today, Taylor's Tacos has captured the community's heart. With more than 14,000 Instagram followers, the business hosts Taco Tuesdays at The Hatchery, has been featured at the annual Taste of Chicago food festival and on Good Morning America, supports and represents LGBTQ+ founders, and has catered events for the Obama Presidential Center.

From small community gatherings to major clients across Chicago, Taylor's Tacos continues to prove that food can create connection, belonging, and community.  

Follow Taylor's Tacos on Instagram at @taylorstacoschicago and learn more and explore their offerings at https://www.taylorstacoschicago.com.

Watch the North Lawndale Competition and access more Founder Stories on our TechRise YouTube channel.

---

Want to hear more stories about Founders on the Rise? Subscribe here.