Coty Rastafar, owner and founder of All Things Empanada, has over 16 years of experience in hospitality and food & beverage management. Originally from Pittsburgh, Coty moved to Miami, FL, at a young age where she managed hotels and entertainment venues in popular tourist areas.
In 2020, Coty returned to Pittsburgh to be closer to family and started making baked empanadas as an easy snack for her busy schedule. After sharing them with friends and family and receiving great feedback, she realized there was a demand for quick, healthy food options. This led her to experiment with different flavor combinations and to begin offering small-scale catering.
Today, All Things Empanada is known for its homemade empanadas, blending American and Latin flavors. Coty sells her empanadas online and at pop-up events, food festivals, and farmers markets around Pittsburgh.
In 2021, Coty reached out to the University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for help in growing her business. Over the past few years, Coty has worked closely with Pitt SBDC Consultant Zack Patton to boost All Things Empanada’s brand recognition. The SBDC has assisted with general business management, website development, and social media, providing valuable SEO and Social Media Audits. Because online ordering and home delivery are key to her business, the development of a strong website was crucial.
In the spring of 2024, Coty attended the University of Pittsburgh’s “Doing Business with Pitt” event and was approved as a vendor for Pitt’s Farmers Markets. As All Things Empanada continues to grow, so has the demand for its empanadas at events across the region. The Pitt SBDC and Coty will continue collaborating on marketing, promotion, and social media strategies as the business expands.
The University of Pittsburgh SBDC is confident that All Things Empanada will continue to offer some of the best empanadas in the region and make a positive economic impact in Pittsburgh.