Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with James Biello, Founder of La Cucina Di Ietta, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Catering and Mobile Pizza event services. My customers are businesses that want to hold events for their staff and residential clients who are looking for something different to celebrate the many joys of life.
Tell us about yourself
I was raised by my Italian grandmother; she always taught me from a young age that eating at home is much better than anything I can eat at a restaurant. Most of the time, that's pretty accurate. She inspired me to launch my catering business in 2017. What motivates me now is the never-ending desire to pursue perfection, the relentless mindset that even though what I made was good, really good, there's a way to make it better.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I entered a Nationwide competition in 2018 for Canadian chef of the year and won 4th place for the best pizza at the show. I was relatively unknown since I didn't own a restaurant, and I was up against the previous year's winner and pizzaiolo from the best pizza restaurants in the country. Coming in 4th for me, this was a confirmation that I was doing things right and was able to serve a quality pizza comparable to what's found at the best places in the country.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is to keep going when times are tough. The Covid pandemic hit the restaurant industry hard. As an owner of a catering business, I was lucky that my overhead was low in comparison. However, my passion for cooking is stronger than COVID, and that flame kept me going even when demand was low.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be an eternal student; always try to learn more and improve.
- Be humble; it's not about being the best. It's about doing the best you can.
- Don't see other business owners as competitors; see them as your peers.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: http://lacucinadiietta.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaCucinaDiIetta/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lacucinadiietta/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lacucinadiietta
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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