Episode 97: Emily Hunt Turner with All Square Cafe

Emily Hunt Turner is the founder and CEO of All Square Enterprises, a Minnesota non-profit organization. A former civil rights attorney, she created a restaurant and food truck business that provides a fresh start for people with a criminal record.

Says Emily, “By investing in those recently released [from prison] and those with criminal records and trying to move forward, we provide a sense of purpose and appreciation while receiving a loyal hard-working family of staff members.” The organization’s name suggests being “all square” with society.

She launched All Square Enterprises six years ago as a small cafe seating 50 people and operating five days a week from 11 am to 8 pm. Its specialty grilled cheese sandwiches are served in four squares, each representing four steps of entering society from incarceration -- space, light, open, and free. The sandwich varieties include basil pesto, Jamaica jerk, and jalapeño popper with fries, soup, and salad as sides.

In this episode, Emily shares how she learned to overcome her lack of restaurant experience and how her unusual opening promotion succeeded in raising startup capital. "This truly took a village to open,” she says. “We had assistance from community members to assist with design, construction, and equipment. She adds,” But my offering free grilled cheese sandwiches for life promotion for [a donation of] $1,000 was miraculous. We had 62 responses allowing me to have the necessary funds to open.”

Emily spends time with staff and management at the restaurant and attends food truck promotions, but she works primarily on the organization’s fellowship program. "We offer family services and legal assistance. We also teach entrepreneurship as a way of preparing our staff members for the rest of their lives."