Sweet Leaf co-founder Arita Matini, 37, was just 21 when she opened her first restaurant back in 2009. She grew up in McLean and was commuting to Marymount University as an interior design major. As she drove to school, she lamented the fact she couldn’t find quick and healthy food options in the area.
With the help of her family, she and her brother opened their first Sweet Leaf store in McLean and crafted a menu focused on healthy smoothies, salads, sandwiches, and grain bowls made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Sweet Leaf now has six locations — five in NoVA and one in DC — and Matini says she’s constantly looking for new opportunities to expand. We spoke with the entrepreneur about food, family, and finding your passion.
What are your favorite Sweet Leaf menu items?
My go-to is the Sabroso, which is one of our most popular bowls. My go-to sandwich is the So Cali Club, and my go-to salad is the Steak Taco.
You partner with local farms to offer fresh ingredients. Why is that important to you?
My family owns a farm in Warrenton and we were trying to grow our own veggies and eggs … but we just couldn’t keep up with the demand. We still use a local produce company that delivers to us every day, and we try to get what’s local from them, because I think the product is better. It’s healthier [and] it’s helping people locally. So overall, I just thought it was a better business plan. Being local myself, why not shop local?
Speaking of shopping, where do you love to shop in NoVA?
I love to shop at Tysons. I also like to shop at Mosaic [District] when the weather is nice. I think that kind of gives you a town center shopping experience. Reston Town Center is also one of my go-tos.
What local venues do you love to visit?
I love Wolf Trap. I try to get there at least two times [a season] for a concert. I love doing the lawn seats. I think that gives it more of a fun experience with my friends, and we can all sit together and bring our own snacks. I do like to go to The Perch at Capital One [Center] at the rooftop. They have drinks and putt putt, and they sometimes have live music.
What advice would you give to other young entrepreneurs about starting a business?
I’ve always just been a firm believer of following your passion. You know, I loved interior design, but when I got into the restaurant business, I found out that was truly my passion. And I feel like I never looked back. So I think just following your passion would be my biggest advice. I think it’s usually when you’re not that interested in something that it seems very daunting and hard to achieve.
And advice for working with family?
A lot of patience. And listening to everyone’s opinion and trying to come to an agreement together. It’s not whose idea is better, it’s just kind of whose idea works.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Feature image courtesy Arita Matini
This story originally ran in our June Issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
