Our story · Islas Tech

The beginning

A restaurant with no roadmap.

In December 2017, Mariel and Chef Marc Buenaventura opened iSLAS Filipino BBQ & Bar in Toronto, while Mariel was still working full time at Scotiabank. They learned everything from scratch: permits, suppliers, staffing, payroll, POS systems, marketing and events.

Over eight years, iSLAS grew to two locations and more than 20 staff, hosted three annual Night Markets with 30 to 60 vendors each, made it through COVID as a two-person team, and was recognised by BlogTO, Foodism, Toronto Life and the Philippine Consulate during Filipino Restaurant Month (2022 and 2025).

The reality

Drowning in fragmentation.

Behind the food were eight platforms that never talked to each other: POS, delivery apps, bank, accounting, spreadsheets, calendars and supplier portals.

“I have a finance background, and I was still drowning. The problem isn't the people running these businesses. It's that they're doing it alone.”Mariel Buenaventura

A turning point

The loss that clarified everything.

In 2025 we closed iSLAS after the passing of Marc's father, Ernie, whose belief and sacrifice made our Canadian chapter possible. The months of reflection that followed, through the Philippines and Japan, made the mission clear.

Islas Tech carries his legacy forward. Marc's book, Finding Islas, tells that story in full.

What we're building now

The co-founder we wished we'd had.

In 2026, after completing the Rotman Executive Program in Generative and Agentic AI for Business, Mariel founded Islas Tech to turn those eight years into tools for hospitality creators.

We're in the BUILD stage, building a simple cost and margin calculator first, with an event quote tool and a Dream-to-Open planner to follow. Chef Marc will be the first creator to test them.

The people

A finance mind and a chef's heart.

Mariel Buenaventura

Founder, Islas Tech

20+ years in finance and operations, from internal audit and SAP FI/CO at Accenture to Scotiabank and The Daniels Corporation. Co-ran iSLAS for eight years, handling permits, suppliers, payroll, reconciliation and growth. Leads Islas Tech's product and research.

Rotman · Generative & Agentic AI (2026)CPA Ontario candidate (PREP)Founder, Pinay Tayo TorontoEnglish · Filipino

Chef Marc Buenaventura

Chef · Co-founder of iSLAS · Islas Tech's first creator

Ran the iSLAS kitchen for eight years: menus, vendors, staff training and the daily reality of two locations. At Islas Tech, Marc will test each tool in a real kitchen first, so it works under pressure.

BlogTO · Foodism · Toronto LifePhilippine Consulate, 2022 & 2025Author, Finding Islas (in progress)

marcbuen.com →

Milestones

The journey so far.

From one restaurant to a tool for creators everywhere.

Verify Mariel's Rotman certificate →

Dec 2017

iSLAS opens in Toronto

Built from zero as immigrant operators, while Mariel worked full time at Scotiabank.

2018–2021

Growing through COVID

Self-built systems for operations, HR and finance. Survived COVID as a two-person team.

2022–2024

Growing, 20+ staff

Three annual Night Markets. Recognition from BlogTO, Foodism, Toronto Life and the Philippine Consulate. A second location opens in December 2024.

2025

Closing, and reflection

Both locations close after a family loss. Months of reflection in the Philippines and Japan.

2026

Islas Tech is founded

Mariel completes the Rotman program (May) and starts building. Now building our first tool.

Dec 8–10, 2026

First demo in Dubai

Expand North Star 2026, Canadian Pavilion.

The books

Two books, one family story.

In progress

The Invisible Co-Founder

Mariel Buenaventura. An honest account of the invisible work behind a small hospitality business: the systems, the money, the closing and the rebuilding, with practical lessons for creators who feel alone.