Running a successful restaurant is no small feat, but Toni Tusio, the powerhouse behind Mama’s Margaritaville, has faced and overcome significant challenges to make her mark in Cape Town's vibrant food scene. Despite being overlooked and doubted by suppliers and company representatives, her determination and vision have turned Mama’s Margaritaville into a thriving hotspot known for its exquisite margaritas and mouth-watering Tex-Mex dishes.
Balancing the demands of running a restaurant with her personal life, she finds strength in working alongside her partner, Shawn, ensuring their home life remains distinct from their business. The support from her community and the recognition from patrons and peers alike have been pivotal in her success. Her journey, filled with persistence and an unyielding drive, serves as an inspiration to other women aspiring to break into the food and hospitality industry.
In this candid interview with Glamour, Toni shares the highs and lows of her career, her sources of inspiration, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind as a trailblazing female entrepreneur. From the defining moments that shaped her path to the innovative ideas that keep her menu fresh and exciting, her story is one of resilience, passion, and unwavering belief in her vision.
Glamour: What inspired you to enter the restaurant industry, and how did you get started?
Toni: I have always loved cooking. Matter fact when I was 19 years old it paid my bills when I cooked for rent! My stepdad took me in as his private chef, and from there I realised I had a knack for creating with food. I gradually taught myself different flavour profiles and methods. When I met Shawn - my husband - all I did was feed him. He eventually got so sick of eating TEXMEX/CALMEX/MEXICAN style food that he suggested we start looking at restaurants and selling it to people!
Glamour:What challenges have you faced as a female restaurant owner, and how have you overcome them?
Toni: I like to think that my challenges are the same as anyone’s - but I would say that dealing with suppliers and representatives of companies as a woman you can easily be overlooked or doubted. I have been doubted many times when saying what my ideas are or what I am striving for. I promised many realtors before opening in CT that we WILL be the biggest if they allow me the space.
I was overlooked - spaces were given to others. Deals given to others. Now we are packed and thriving and I guess the points been proven. If you allow me to do what I want to do and trust me -
I am capable.
Glamour: How do you balance the demands of running a restaurant with your personal life?
Toni: I am blessed that my partner in life works along side me. I can imagine it being very challenging if we both had to go to different jobs in the morning. We’d never see each other. However, working together can also be a challenge. We do our best to not mix our home life with the restaurants. Keep time aside for our children and really live and breathe the business without missing important milestones. However, it can be easier said than done.
Glamour: Can you share a defining moment or turning point in your career?
Toni: The outpouring of support, when I realised that people really are understanding the vision. Sharing experiences on social media, sharing how much they love us, wanting to buy and wear our uniforms as a show of representation of the Mamacita’s brand. It’s crazy to me that people know exactly who we are and what we do.
When they see Mama’s Margaritaville they know exactly who we are and trust us with their drinks and food. It really hit me when I had people sitting at tables in my restaurant that I watch on TV or sing along to their songs. It’s insane really. These people come on their own for their own experience and they comeback! And that’s what’s important!
Glamour: What advice would you give to other women looking to start their own business in the food and hospitality industry?
Toni: Never quit. Never ever let anyone make you feel small. If you have a vision and you know what you want, go fucking get it. Don’t ever let someone else’s doubt blind you. And when you are having a moment of “what ifs” turn them into positive ones.
If everyone knew where I came from and the cards I was dealt as a child - I am not the same person today and I never allowed it to define me. I always knew I was meant for success no matter where I came from. Own your shit and never see a bad experience or bad upbringing as an excuse. Use it as fuel to be better.
Glamour: How do you stay innovative and keep your menu fresh and exciting for your customers?
Toni: It really just boils down to loving what I do. Shawn and I are both creative people. He designs drinks and I work on the food. I honestly serve what I love and I constantly am looking for a new idea or recipe. I love seeing peoples faces light up when they try something delicious or start dancing in their chair while they eat. It makes me want to keep creating and to keep them on their toes for what is next.
Glamour: How has the support of your community contributed to your success?
Toni: The support has honestly been overwhelming. The whole group of places on the strip - Harrington Street - is always congratulating or saying how good Mamacita’s is going. They can see what we are doing and how hard we are working. It never goes unnoticed and it’s a breath of fresh air. When we view spaces we are taken seriously. Venues are keen to have us step in and create space and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Glamour: What are your future goals for your restaurant and career?
Toni: THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT! Opening more spaces, more concepts that I have up my sleeve. Wholesale items, fun content and taking this thing across SA. There is talks to take Mamacita’s overseas and really tackle this thing! The future has so much to unfold and I am so excited! I am constantly dreaming of the next move.
Glamour: How did Mamacita's and Mamas Margaritaville start? What was the inspiration behind its inception?
Toni: You won’t believe me when I say - we drove past a building about 6 years ago and I blurted out in the car - “I can see it now, MAMACITAS across that building” and sure enough - a year later there she was! A Mamacita’s! The name just fell in my lap that day. The concept originally was more authentic Mexican and there was plans of sugar skulls etc and then one day I looked around and thought man I don’t want to be like all these other spaces.
Shawn is a huge collector of vintage cars and always dressed the part, I also had a background in modeling for vintage cars and driving ratrods around Toronto and NYC - and I thought why the fuck are we going to do “Mexican” why not bring our lifestyle into this - which is cars and babes! Cars and Mamacita’s! Cars, Tattoos, Tequila, Hot Chicks! I mean c’mon who doesn’t love all those things?! And from there it really revved up - no pun intended. Shawn and I spent time in LA and I loved the So Cal vibes and palm trees.
The lowrider cars, I also am a HUGE hip hop head and just thought well - let’s make this space OURS. Let’s make a space that WE want to be in and not think about what we THINK ppl want. Mamacita’s is based on downtown LA culture and Mamas Margaritaville is more Venice Beach vibes. Skateboarding, Surfing. Each space has its own culture, it’s important to us.
Glamour: What main lessons/significant lessons that you learnt being in the business?
Toni: Trust no one. I know that sound very depressing - but in all honesty if you have something amazing - keep it to yourself. Try at all costs to do things yourself - if you can stand on your own two feet - do so. If you want it badly enough you will make it work. You don’t need a million hands in the cookie jar and a million opinions. Do shit yourself.
Glamour: Can you share a favorite memory or story from your time as a restaurant owner?
Toni: Getting compliments from a famous chef - definitely a highlight. We had chef Ruben hit up Mamacita’s when we were still in the Eastern Cape and he commended our cowboy butter salmon. Was a super cool experience.
Glamour: How do you stay motivated and inspired in your day-to-day operations?
Toni: I think about our kids and when they grow up - when someone asks where they come from or who their parents are - it’s important to me that they are confident and know that they come from greatness. I came from a dead beat dad and a hardworking single mom. I want them to know that they can be proud of their little family and what we have overcome and become. I think about where I started - what I’ve been through and how I refuse to let that define me and it just propels me into working more and ideas. How can we make this better? How much greater can we get?! The possibilities are endless and I want them to know that.
Glamour: What legacy do you hope to leave behind as a woman in charge in the restaurant industry?
Toni: I hope people know that women are HARD. Women are TOUGH. Women are a FORCE and if you tell me I can’t I WILL! I want other women to be inspired and I want them to take charge. I want young women to know that you don’t have to have all the bells and whistles to be good at something all you need is PASSION. Use what you are good at and don’t ever think that a piece of paper defines you. I couldn’t afford college or university. I was thrown out because my dead beat dad stole my tuition funds. I STILL BECAME SOMETHING. I don’t need help, I don’t need a sob story, and I don’t need pity. I need you to get the fuck out of the way so I can WORK.
