From Teen Entrepreneur to Hospitality Powerhouse - Daniella Senior’s Mission to Scale the Colada Shop

What if the key to scaling a great brand was reconnecting with your roots?

This week on Founderology, I sat down with powerhouse entrepreneur Daniella Senior — the Founder and CEO of Colada Shop, Bresca, Serenata and Zumo. You'll hear Daniella share how her journey began at just 13 years old, when she launched a holiday bakery business out of her parents' home in the Dominican Republic. That business didn't just take off — it funded her college education at the Culinary Institute of America.

Today, Daniella leads some of the most celebrated restaurants in Washington, D.C. and is on a mission to expand her beloved Colada Shop brand nationwide.

Here's here are just a few highlights from my conversation with Daniella:

• How early hustle fuels long-term growth. Listen as Daniella shares how a high school bakery taught her the fundamentals of entrepreneurship — from operations to marketing to managing a team — and how that experience shaped the visionary leader she is today.
• Why focus is a Founder's secret weapon. Despite leading multiple award-winning restaurants, Daniella explains why she's intentionally focusing her energy on scaling Colada Shop — and how that discipline is driving her next phase of growth.
• How to design experiences that make people feel something. Daniella shares her philosophy behind the four pillars of Colada Shop: coffee, cooking, cocktails and Cubanism — the spirit of hospitality that welcomes every guest like family. She reminds us: when you create connection, customers return.
• Why some of the boldest moves happen in the toughest times. Hear how Daniella leaned into expansion during the pandemic, trusted her instincts, and made decisions that positioned her brand for lasting growth — even when the world was telling her to slow down.
• How staying connected keeps the vision alive. From jumping behind the bar to adjusting layouts on the fly, Daniella talks about the power of founder visibility — and why the details still matter, no matter how big the brand gets.

Daniella's story is a powerful reminder that the path to scaling isn't linear — yet it is possible with purpose, clarity and courage. If you're a Founder ready to turn vision into velocity, this episode is packed with wisdom, strategy and inspiration.