We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carlotta Sabbalini a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Carlotta , appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk about social media – do you manage your own or do you have someone or a company that handles it for you? Why did you make the choice you did?

In the social media world, I handle my own content creation. I learn a lot by checking out profiles I like and following tips from YouTube and other sources. It’s not just a hobby; I genuinely enjoy making catchy videos. I’ve even started collaborating with people and brands. It’s not just about posting; it’s a way to connect, share ideas, and inspire people from all over. It’s a creative space that really expands my thinking. In my food business’s social media journey, the key I’ve found is keeping it incredibly personal. As an Italian girl in South Africa, I infuse my content with humor, stories, and funny videos, poking fun at things like chicken pasta. It’s not just about the food; it’s about my personality. People connect with the authenticity, and that’s led to collaborations and a unique niche. My suggestion for others: Be yourself, find your niche, stay unique, don’t rush it, and most importantly, be consistent. Improvement comes with a mix of doing, studying, and over time, the algorithm starts to reward your efforts.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Embarking on this adventure, I, an Italian girl, landed in South Africa at 22, initially uncertain about my path. Managing a vegan cafe unexpectedly fueled my love for hospitality and food. Chatting with customers each morning became a joy. Then, almost as a playful side gig, I started making lasagna for them in the evenings. When COVID struck, my life took a twist – my house burned down, but a foster dog saved me. I decided to overhaul everything, adopted the dog, and discovered a newfound passion for cooking, inspired by my grandmother’s teachings. After losing her, I began making lasagna for others full time. Day by day, this evolved into a catering business, delivering daily, hosting private events, and collaborating with restaurants. The journey is a learning curve; I even call my mom and her friends for recipe guidance. The creativity extends to social media and cool merch like tote bags and t-shirts that people love. It’s been a rollercoaster, but every twist has added a unique flavor to my entrepreneurial story. Starting my business, I was a novice in the business world. Every day is a learning experience; I seek suggestions and advice. In just two years, things have expanded beyond my expectations, and even though I still work from home, I’m now exploring the possibility of having a little shop or a dedicated space as things open up. It’s been both fascinating and challenging. My greatest joy is sharing my grandmother’s authentic recipes, ensuring I never compromise on quality or originality. I aim to give people in this country a taste of real Italian food. Looking ahead, I want to teach through cooking classes, as interacting and sharing my love for authentic Italian cuisine is something I cherish.
As I navigate this journey, the beauty lies in the creative freedom to be entirely myself. Each day sparks new ideas, prompting me to consider writing an e-book and creating videos for online cooking classes. The thought of assisting others with their social media or inspiring them with food ideas and events also excites me. Step by step, I’m discovering what I truly love and doing it in a creatively free manner. My friends and family are integral; they’re not just close but actively involved. In the Italian creative community, seeking help from loved ones is natural, and through this little business, I get to share my passion in a cute, supportive, and truly delightful way.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

While juggling another job, I embarked on my lasagna venture, initially buying supermarket products to cook my food. Day by day, I studied packaging, engaged with suppliers, and honed my PR skills – chatting with everyone, just as my mom taught me. Even before registering as a business, I secured deals with key suppliers to cut costs. Enlisting a graphic designer, I crafted a label, considering social media preferences. Initially challenging to find customers, a game-changer was a successful pop-up at my breakfast spot. I learned about a chef’s night meant to explore having someone else in the kitchen. The initial attempt with another chef didn’t succeed, but when I took the chance, it turned into a three-day success story. The vibrant, colorful, and loud essence of my Italian brand, offering diverse menus each night with desserts, homemade pasta, sauces, and focaccia, resonated with people. The pop-up brought a massive following and gained me numerous social media followers. This success opened doors to more restaurants inviting me for one-night takeovers. These intimate dinners around town became a key element in people getting to know me, leading to further collaborations and opportunities. I even had a one-month pop-up at a famous wine farm. Collaborating with other businesses and offering something unique proved invaluable. Pop-ups, merch, and farmers markets expanded my reach, connecting me with interesting individuals for future collaborations. Now, I’m organizing events for weddings and big occasions. The key? Constantly reaching out, not being shy, and building connections with people – a recipe for success.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Life took an unexpected turn when my dissatisfaction managing the café, coupled with the challenging work environment in South Africa, pushed me to seek something of my own. The pivotal moment came with the sudden loss of my grandmother, who played a central role in my life and culinary education. Taking a month’s holiday, I found myself alone during the onset of COVID, reflecting and cooking in solitude. Two days with a foster dog, initially unwanted, turned into a lifesaving companionship when my building burned down. Adopting her, I faced the challenge of finding a dog-friendly home in a city with limited options.

This period, though tumultuous, strengthened me and shattered old beliefs. Months of searching for a suitable home and navigating the obstacles made me realize the resilience within. It was a transformative phase, fostering trust in myself and understanding that trying, even if accompanied by failure, is a valuable part of the journey. May, the dog, became my steadfast companion and best friend.

I learned that failure is a friend, teaching us about desires and inspiring us to persevere. Life’s setbacks don’t erase progress; you can always move forward if you trust your capabilities and ideas. I genuinely love what I do, and with a clear vision, I build upon it every day. The key to pursuing your dreams is trusting yourself, embracing failure, and persisting in doing what you love.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: _italyatyourdoor
• Facebook: Italyatyourdoorbycarligourmet
• Linkedin: Carlotta sabbalini
• Other: TikTok: italyatyourdoor