Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anita Carnevale. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Anita, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Charcuterie has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. When I was younger, I remember going to my Nonna’s house to make homemade dried sausage and coppa. Italian music playing in the background, everyone drinking wine, laughing, and creating memories. It was, and still is, a wonderful annual tradition within our family. The only difference is the change in roles over the years- I actually have to do the work now instead of just watching everyone else. Homemade dried sausage, coppa, a big chunk of cheese, rustic bread, and homemade wine are the focal points of every Sunday meal and family gathering.
My in-laws own a small business in Cleveland, Ohio called Molisana Italian Imported Foods. They have been providing the community with Italian imported meats, cheese, olives, and other groceries for twenty-nine years! Amazing, right!? I’ve been an employee there for ten of those years! Working at Molisana has allowed me to expand my knowledge of food products, especially artisan meats and cheeses. Partnering with them has been an amazing opportunity.
My inspiration for Spuntino, which means “small snack” in Italian, came from my family traditions and my experience at Molisana. Just as charcuterie has continued to bring together my family, I wanted to bring that same joy to other families and groups of friends, too. After all, who doesn’t love a great charcuterie board!?
Anita, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
The charcuterie scene is pretty hot right now and has become a super popular trend. What makes Spuntino boards unique is the authenticity of the ingredients and how I use my firsthand Italian cultural experiences and traditions in a creative way. I wanted to create a charcuterie board that would mimic something enjoyed at our family gatherings. You get to enjoy delicious artisan meats, cheeses and olives and other unique organic fruits and snacking foods all with a beautiful, inviting presentation and without all the work! I really enjoy incorporating local, high-quality seasonal ingredients, too.
My customers have the option to order charcuterie boards of different sizes and styles, charcuterie cups, or a grazing table for larger events. I love being a part of large corporate events and open houses for small businesses in the area. Being involved in local events has allowed me to meet new people and partner with the many wonderful businesses in and around Cleveland. Plus, my mom enjoys helping me with events so I get to spend time with her, too.
As Spuntino continues to grow, I hope to expand on our involvement in local events and private parties to further share the Spuntino experience.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
My family immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1964. They worked hard every day to provide for their family and took pride in their work, whether it was a local factory job or in building their own successful business. It was instilled in me from an early age to always put in one hundred percent effort, never give up on a dream/idea you have, do honest work, and take pride in the work that you do. I watched my Nonno run a successful construction company growing up, along with my father and mother running their own businesses. I had wonderful examples to observe and appreciate from a young age, which really shaped my entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy.
Working with my in-laws at Molisana Italian Imported Foods has provided me with so much more opportunity to learn about running a successful business, especially in the food industry. Being able to be hands on with owner tasks and observing the truest form of hard work behind running a business has helped me gain a different perspective about management and entrepreneurship that I never thought I would be interested in. It’s fun and definitely takes me out of my comfort zone!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Creating a brand from scratch and building my reputation within a market that is so saturated with charcuterie has been a fun and exciting challenge for me. I think now more than ever, it is important to be able to connect with people on a personal level. Keep it simple. I want my customers to see the creativity and authentic intention behind each charcuterie board I create for them. Creating a high-quality product that people can connect with has been my focus and I think this has really allowed Spuntino to build its reputation. As a business owner, there is nothing more satisfying than a happy customer who continues to support your business time and time again.
Spuntino was created with the vision of putting a traditional Italian twist on a modern-day charcuterie board concept. I take pride in using the freshest, high-quality ingredients on each charcuterie board I make. When you order a Spuntino, you know you are going to get a fun, authentic and enjoyable product for any special occasion.
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Image Credits
All pictures taken by me personally.