Meet Ana Karina Suchanek | Restaurateur and Nonprofit Cofounder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Karina Suchanek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana Karina, how does your business help the community?
Social impact is not something we treat as an add on. It is part of how we live and operate every day.

At Hitch Burger, you see it the moment you walk in. The quotes about giving back on our walls are not decoration. They are reminders of what we stand for. The same goes for the backs of our shirts. Our team wears that message every day, not just for guests to see, but as a standard we hold ourselves to.

We did not just work giving back into the brand. We built it into the business model.

Through Project Boon, which we cofounded, we have created a direct way to turn business into impact. Hitch Burger helps fuel that mission by contributing resources, meals, and support to fight food insecurity and bring people together through service.

This is not a one-time effort or a seasonal campaign. It is consistent. It is intentional. It is who we are.

For me, success is not just about what we build. It is about what we give. And if we are doing this right, every meal we serve helps create something bigger than the restaurant itself.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Moving to a new country, learning a new language, and building a new career from the ground up have shaped everything I see about business and life today.

Nothing about this path was easy. There was a long season where I believed the only way forward was to outwork, outstress, and outworry every challenge in front of me. And for a while, that approach worked… until it didn’t. It caught up with me. I was burning out, and I knew something had to change.

That shift is where faith and meditation entered my life in a real way. Through so many incredible teachers and authors from around the world, I started to understand that building something meaningful does not have to come at the expense of your well-being. That perspective changed how I lead, how I make decisions, and how I show up every day.

Today, I am focused on growing a small but promising chain of restaurants through Hitch Burger, while continuing to give back through Project Boon. What sets us apart is that giving is not something we add on later. It is part of the foundation. It is built into how we operate, how we serve, and how we define success.

What I am most proud of is not just what we are building, but how we are building it. There were a lot of challenges along the way. Learning a new culture, finding my place, navigating uncertainty, and learning how to lead without losing myself in the process. Each of those moments forced growth.

The biggest lesson I have learned is that sustainability matters not just in business, but in life. You can build something strong without sacrificing your peace. In fact, I think that is the only way it truly lasts.

What I want people to know about our story is simple. It is possible to build something meaningful, to grow, to succeed, and to give back at the same time. And when you align those things, the impact becomes so much bigger than the business itself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were coming into town for a week, I would want it to feel balanced. A mix of beauty, great food, and time to just slow down and enjoy each other’s company.

We would start with a day at The Huntington Library. I love taking a class there if something is being offered, then walking through the gardens. It is peaceful and grounding, and a great way to ease into the week.

One night, we would head into Los Angeles for dinner at Mirate. It has great energy, amazing food, and the kind of atmosphere that makes the night feel a little special without trying too hard.

Another must is The Little Door. It is more intimate and tucked away. One of those places where you can sit for hours, talk, and completely lose track of time.

If we are staying closer to home in Claremont, I would keep things simple. Morning walks through the village, coffee, and just catching up. Then dinner at The Meat Cellar. I am a wine drinker, so anywhere with a good Malbec works for me, and they always deliver on both food and atmosphere.

Somewhere in the week, we would do a beach day. Maybe Laguna. Just time by the water, good conversation, and a reset.

For me, the best itinerary is not about packing the schedule. It is about creating moments. A few great places, a lot of good conversation, and letting the rest happen naturally.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If I am being honest, this is not a story about one person. It is about the relationships and partnerships that have made everything possible.

As a cofounder of Project Boon, I have had the privilege of seeing what happens when the right people come together around a shared purpose. The real credit belongs to the strategic partners who have stood with us over the years. Cities and school districts that open their doors. Organizations like Grocery Outlet and Stater Bros that help us source food. The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Kaiser Permanente, the Rausch Family Foundation, and IEHP for their continued support and belief in what we are doing.

And then there are the volunteers. The people who show up consistently, without asking for recognition. They are the reason this works.

We could not do any of this alone. It truly takes a village. Together, we have found a way to distribute over 17,000 meals a year, and more importantly, create a system of care that continues to grow.

If there is any credit to give, it belongs to every single person who has chosen to be part of that.

Website: https://www.hitchburger.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hitchburger/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHitchBurgerGrill/

Other: https://www.projectboon.org

Image Credits
All Photos: Bryan Figueroa