Meet JUSTIN TULUS | CHEF & OWNER OF STOPBYE FOOD TRUCK – THE ORIGINAL INDONESIAN FUSION

We had the good fortune of connecting with JUSTIN TULUS and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi JUSTIN, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
FROM A YOUNG AGE I WAS INTERESTED ON OPERATING MY OWN BUSINESS. MY FAMILY OPERATED A SMALL FAMILY RESTAURANT IN MY HOME COUNTRY OF INDONESIA, DURING MY COLLEGE YEARS I TRAVELED TO AUSTRALIA, TAIWAN AND ENDED UP HERE IN LOS ANGELES TO PURSUE A CAREER IN THE CULINARY FIELD.. I HAVE A BACKGROUND IN FINE DINING RESTAURANT.S. IN 2015 I BEGAN SO SOLIDIFY MY CONCEPT BY WORKING WITH SCORE, A NON PROFIT WHICH ASSISTS NEW BUSINESS OWNERS DEVELOP BUSINESS PLANS.. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF MEETINGS A BUSINESS PLAN WAS DEVELOPED. WITH THE PLAN IN HAND, I BEGAN A SEARCH FOR A STORE TO FIT MY NEEDS.

What should our readers know about your business?
I BEGAN WITH A STORE FRONT SERVING FRESH INDONESIAN CUISINE AND QUICKLY LEARNED I NEED TO HAVE A FEW NON INDONESIAN DISHES ON THE MENU FOR CUSTOMERS WHO CAME IN REQUESTING OTHER OPTIONS AS WELL A CHILDREN OPTIONS. MY STOREFRONT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL WITH 5 STAR YELP REVIEWS, BEING WRITTEN UP BY A FEW FOOD CRITICS AND GAINED POPULARITY FAIRLY QUICKLY. I WAS PROUD OF MY STAFF AND THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING WAS HOME MADE. ALL SAUCES AND DISHES WERE PREPARED WITH FRESH AND LOCAL SOURCES.

AT THE END OF THE YEAR LEASE, THE LANDLORD RAISED THE RENT ABOUT 50%. INSTEAD OF RESIGNING THE LEASE I DECIDED TO MOVE TO A FOOD TRUCK TO REMAIN “LOCAL” TO OUR CUSTOMERS..

FROM STOREFRONT TO FOOD TRUCK WAS VERY CHALLENGING. THIS WAS NOT AN EASY TRANSITION BUT I MADE IT THOUGHT THE FIRST YEAR CONTINUING TO TURN A PROFIT.

TODAY I OPERATE 2 FOOD TRUCKS THROUGHOUT LOS ANGELES AND ORANGE COUNTY. STOPBYE IS THE ONLY INDONESIAN FUSION FOOD TRUCK CURRENTLY OPERATING IN LA COUNTY. I CONTINUE TO BRING A UNIQUE TASTE OF INDONESIAN ASISN FUSION TO THE COMMUNITY.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA IS A VERY DIVERSE CITY, IT OFFERS SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT. I WOULD START AT THE GETTY MUSEUM WITH ITS AMAZING ART AND VIEW. FROM THERE TO VENICE BEACH AND SANTA MONICA PIER FOR A TASTE OF LA. FOR FOOD WE OULD END UP IN SAN GABRIEL VALLEY, HOME TO AMAZING CHINESE, AND VIETNAMESE FOOD OPTIONS. MAYBE A LUNCH AT GOLDEN DELI, THEN DINNER AT ONE OF THE MANY CHINESE FOOD OPTIONS FOR NOODLES AND PROBABLY SCHEZWAN CUISINE, SOMETHING SPICY AND HOT.
SINCE MANY OF MY FRIENDS ARE FOR OUT OF THE COUNTRY WE WOULD TO DISNEYLAND TO VISIT MICKEY AND MINNIE WHO ARE WORLD FAMOUS. EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO TO DISNEYLAND AT LEAST ONCE….OR MORE. I WOULD ALSO TAKE THEM TO MY SISTERS HOME IN ANAHEIM SO THEY COULD EXPERIENCE REAL HOMEMADE INDONESIAN FOOD PREPARED BY MY MOM. SOME MUST HAVE IN LA; NOODLES, DUMPLINGS, HOT POT, REDONDO BEACH FISH MARKET FOR FRESH FISH, AND A VISIT TO MY FOOD TRUCK STOPBYE TO ENJOY SOME HOMEMADE TEAS AND MEE GORENG AND SO MUCH MORE.

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?
BEFORE I OPENED MY BUSINESS, I WORKED WITH DAL AND TOM FROM SCORE TWO RETIRED SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN WHO ASSISTED TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN AND HOW TO DEVELOP A FINANCIAL FOUNDATION./PLAN. THIER PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE GAVE ME THE NEEDED BACKGROUND TO SPRING FORWARD..

AS MENTIONED MY FAMILY RAN A SMALL RESTAURANT IN INDONESIA WHERE I WORKED AND LEARNED THE FOOD BUSINESS AT A VERY YOUNG AGE. SO PART OF MY INSPIRATION WAS FROM MY FAMILY! THEY CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

ALSO MY PARTNER TOM HAS BEEN A GREAT SUPPORT BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY.

I MENTIONED I TRAVELED TO A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES DURING MY COLLEGE YEARS WHERE I WORKED AND GAINED FOUNDATIONAL EXPERIENCES IN THE FOOD BUSINESS.

Website: https://WWW.STOPBYECAFE.COM

Instagram: https://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/STOPBYECAFE

Twitter: https://WWW.X.COM/STOPBYECAFE

Facebook: https://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/STOPBYECAFE

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stopbye-caf%C3%A9-los-angeles-3

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fWJnRbxuCE&t=1s

Image Credits
ALL BY STOPBYE CAFE