Elizabeth Proferosa Smith

Founder & President, Teriyaki Boy

Elizabeth Proferosa Smith has always been in business. She was born and raised in the Philippines in Makati. She holds a degree in Communications from St. Paul’s College in Manila. She got her entrepreneurial chops from her father who was engaged in warehousing and distribution. She moved to the United States in 2000, and established roots in Las Vegas to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. In 2004, while working in the casino, right after finishing her Culinary Degree at the Cordon Bleu, she took a bold move to the delight of the entire family and decided on a food endeavor that later grew to 8 stores after several years. In 2010, honed with enough skills and the acumen to start her own brand. She established Teriyaki Boy, evocative of an American dream, with simple joys of family and friends, and guided by love of all things “umami”. Passion, intention, resilience, grit. Love of food, and seeing people fed well are her lifelong commitments. And these are what make her a model Filipino American entrepreneur.