April Alumni Accolades
From Passion to Plate: How Sunshine Enterprises Helped Alum Ora Wardlow’s Café 322 Urban Bistro Flourish
Ora Wardlow, founder of Café 322 Urban Bistro, has built a business that’s as full of heart as it is flavor. Based in Chicago and serving the surrounding suburbs, Café 322 is a small catering company with a big mission—to serve others with creativity, quality, and care. “The love for serving others along with the passion to explore and prepare different cuisines birthed the start of Café 322 Urban Bistro,” Ora shares. “We are a family-owned business that love food and thrive off of putting out our best every time.”
Ora discovered Sunshine Enterprises at a women’s networking event in early 2023. “My coach was there talking about what she did and I was immediately intrigued.” That moment led her to enroll in the Community Business Academy (CBA) in 2024. When thinking back on her time in the CBA and the Business Simulation classes, Ora says, “I enjoyed the interactive parts…For the most part it was beneficial to learn by practicing. I also enjoyed the part about creating our budget based on what my goals were. And how all of the homework was related to my business.”
In February 2025, she began participating in our Business Acceleration Services 90-Day Business Coaching program—an experience that’s already making a difference. “Coaching has been going great. My coach and I have been having really great conversations. I find it most valuable that my business coach has had a business within the same industry and can offer me tools from the lessons she learned that can help me to not make similar mistakes and help me to grow in the ways that I am looking to grow in. Having someone that understands your struggle and can offer real solutions and ideas is top tier.”
Before finding Sunshine Enterprises, Ora faced a challenge many entrepreneurs can relate to. “Lack of resources was my biggest issue. I was not aware of where to even begin to find the help that I needed,” she says.“I was lacking knowledge in understanding of how to do certain business things. Such as learning about the Department of Revenue and things that they require and need. How to make a budget that will be beneficial to me in my business. How to get funding and build my business credit the way that I needed to. I look forward to the calls with my coach because we tap into things that I need specifically and not necessarily a specific curriculum. It’s more so based on my needs for my business stemming from things that were gone over in the class.”
The roots of Café 322 run deep. “This business was started in 2016 under a different name and around 2020 was rebranded as Café 322 Urban Bistro,” Ora explains. Known for its wings, sauces, pasta dishes, cakes, cookies, and pies, the bistro puts its own spin on everything. “What makes us stand out is that we take everything with a unique approach. We like to try things and are not afraid of being creative in the kitchen.”And the love extends beyond food. “In the interim of orders we love giving back to the less fortunate. We do so by making meals at the close of our events and also by hosting an annual event called Home for the Holidays where we cook, gather donations, feed and clothe those that are in need.”
For Ora, cooking isn’t just a profession—it’s a way of life. “Cooking is a form of art and a way of life for us. We hand pick everything and cook everything to order. You get good flavor and good quality when you do business with us.” With Sunshine Enterprises in her corner, Ora is growing Café 322 with vision and purpose. “Let us be a part of your next momentous occasion. Whether it be a family gathering, company luncheon, wedding, anniversary or just a romantic dinner; leave it all to us. You will not be disappointed.”
Ora’s advice for entrepreneurs…
“If you have not taken part in this program, you need to. If you want to learn what you need to learn to grow YOUR BUSINESS, this is for you.”
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Café 322 Urban Bistro:
WEBSITE: cafe322urbanbistro.com
INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/cafe322urbanbistro
FACEBOOK: Cafe 322