Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Chin-Russo.
Hi Erica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a testament to the power of resilience and reinvention. I became a mother as a teenager while trying to navigate college, adulthood, and responsibility all at once. I quickly realized that if I wanted flexibility, stability, and a better future for my child, I could not wait for someone else to create that path for me. I had to build it myself.
Hospitality was in my blood. My father is an immigrant from China who built his life through relentless hard work. My mother grew up on a farm in Ohio and lost her own mother at a young age. She taught me strength, grit, and how to build a home around food, family, and love. Watching them work and sacrifice shaped me long before I realized it.
In 2010, I opened my first restaurant, The Point in Fells. It was not glamorous. It was long nights, tight margins, and learning through mistakes. There were plenty of times I wanted to quit. Times when the pressure felt overwhelming, when the numbers did not make sense, when exhaustion took over. But every time I looked at my children, quitting was not an option. They were the reason I kept going.
From there, growth became a series of bold decisions. I opened a second location in 2017, The Point in Towson, and launched The Point Catering in 2018. Then in 2020, when the world shut down and uncertainty hit the hospitality industry hard, I chose innovation over fear. I launched Blind Tiger Mobile Bar, a custom mobile bar catering company designed to bring the unique experience directly to people. What began as a creative solution during a crisis has since evolved into Blind Tiger Catering, a full service catering and event brand. What could have been a breaking point became a pivot point.
At the same time, I expanded into short term vacation rentals under The Casa Collective, building design forward spaces like Holy Shiitake House and Lions Maine Stream. Each brand grew from the same belief: create environments where people connect, celebrate, and feel something.
Nothing about the journey was linear. There were financial risks, sleepless nights, staffing struggles, and moments when fear was louder than confidence. But resilience became part of my identity.
Today, I lead multiple hospitality brands rooted in community and experience. What started as a young mother fighting for flexibility & stability turned into a career built on intention. I did not just build businesses. I built a life that allowed me to be present for my children while creating spaces for others to gather, celebrate, and belong.
That is the thread through all of it. Resilience. Family. Community. And the belief that when you build something with heart, it changes more than just your own story.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road. From the beginning, I was building businesses while raising children, often feeling like I was being pulled in every direction at once. There were financial risks that kept me up at night, payroll weeks where I felt the weight of being responsible for other families, and seasons where the margins were razor thin.
The restaurant industry alone is unpredictable. Add in expansion, staffing challenges, inflation, supply chain issues, and then a global shutdown in 2020, and it has been a constant exercise in adaptation. There were moments during the pandemic where everything I had built felt fragile. Reinventing the business model in real time was not optional. It was survival.
There were also personal struggles. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship is not glamorous. There were school events I rushed to, late nights I questioned myself, and seasons where exhaustion was normal. There were many times I wanted to quit. But quitting would have meant walking away from the flexibility and example I was trying to create for my children.
I have learned that growth is uncomfortable. Leadership can be lonely. And resilience is not loud. It is a quiet decision you make over and over again to keep going.
Looking back, the struggles shaped me more than the wins. They forced me to become strategic instead of reactive, to build systems instead of chaos, and to lead with clarity instead of emotion.
It was not smooth. But it was worth it.
As you know, we’re big fans of Erica Russo, Founder of The Point Restaurant Group, Blind Tiger Catering, and The Casa Collective. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I lead a portfolio of hospitality brands built around one core idea: experiences should be immersive, memorable, and emotionally engaging.
The Point Restaurant Group is known in Baltimore for high energy dining concepts and large scale themed pop ups that transform ordinary nights out into full sensory experiences. From themed brunches and seasonal takeovers to interactive trivia and event driven programming, we specialize in creating environments that feel alive. Our restaurants are not just places to eat. They are stages for celebration, family & friends.
Blind Tiger began as a custom mobile bar concept and has grown into an award winning full service catering and event brand. What sets Blind Tiger apart is that we approach events like producers, not vendors. We design layered experiences that combine custom built vintage mobile bars, curated food & beverage programs, cohesive branding, staffing, and full scale event logistics under one creative vision. Clients are not piecing together multiple vendors. We build immersive environments that feel intentional from first sip to final song. Blind Tiger has been recognized as one of Baltimore’s Best Mobile Bars and has received several local Best of Weddings honors, reflecting our commitment to creativity, execution, and innovation.
The Casa Collective brings that same experience first philosophy into the short term rental space. With properties spanning Maine, Maryland, and Mexico, each stay is curated with intention and built around storytelling, thoughtful interiors, and hospitality level detail. What makes The Casa Collective unique is that we operate our rentals with a restaurant mindset. We obsess over guest experience, atmosphere, and emotional connection. From design details to curated guides and immersive themes, our properties are not passive spaces. They are destinations designed to spark connection, celebration, and escape.
What sets us apart is innovation. When the industry slowed during the pandemic, we pivoted into mobile experiences and immersive pop ups. When others focused on transactions, we focused on transformation. Every brand under my leadership is built to create connection, spark joy, and leave a lasting impression.
We do not just provide services. We create moments people talk about long after they leave.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many ways to collaborate, and that is one of my favorite parts of what I do!
If you are planning a wedding, corporate event, or large scale celebration, Blind Tiger Catering is always looking to partner with clients who want something immersive and intentionally designed rather than standard and predictable.
If you are a creative, chef, performer, brand, or small business owner, I love collaboration. We host pop ups, themed experiences, workshops, and community driven events throughout the year and are always open to partnerships that bring something fresh to Baltimore.
If you are a traveler, designer, or content creator, The Casa Collective is built around collaboration and curated experiences. We work with creators, retreat hosts, and brands who align with our design forward, experience driven approach.
And honestly, one of the most meaningful ways to support what we do is simply by showing up. Attend the events. Share the businesses. Tag us. Tell a friend. Small businesses grow through community.
I built everything I have through collaboration, resilience, and relationships. I am always open to connecting with people who want to create something memorable.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thepointrg.com & www.tccgetaways.com
- Instagram: @thepointinfells @thepointtowson @blindtigermobilebar @holyshiitakehouse
- Facebook: @thepointinfells @thepointtowson @blindtigermobilebar @holyshiitakehouse
