We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Ponti. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.
Alright, Nicole thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
“Body By Rigatoni is a lifestyle brand. Influenced by culture. For pasta lovers enjoying life.” But, “BBR” is more of a feeling, which makes it difficult to explain. “Body By Rigatoni” or “BBR” was simply something that I would say about myself. I grew up eating pasta a few times a week with my family and as an adult, working in an Italian American restaurant this habit has not changed. I began to say “Body By Rigatoni” because I realized how other Americans thought about pasta. In my twenties I began to travel to Italy frequently and I began to understand the Italian relationship with pasta and their view on food. The name, “Body By Rigatoni,” was created from the idea that in America, we put too much emphasis on not eating things we truly enjoy. In America, we have this concept of “bad” food and “good” food. And unfortunately, pasta is often placed in the “bad” category. So, I would say “Body By Rigatoni” referring to myself to “own” the fact that I enjoy my pasta guilt free. Pasta is not bad for you. The kind of pasta you use, the ingredients, and the amount of pasta you eat should be considered when declaring a pasta “good” or “bad.” So, Body By Rigatoni is a mindset to enjoy what you like. This thought process has lead me to create a space for BBR. In this space it is my goal to share the Italian culture, Italian recommendations in USA or Italy, my personal discoveries within Italy, and creative design based off my personal connection to the culture.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Ciao, my name is Nicole Ponti and I am the owner and curator of Body By Rigatoni. I was born and raised in Northern New Jersey. My love for Italy and Italian culture comes from my family, specifically my Grandpa who will always remain my core and biggest influence. As a kid growing up in New Jersey, I remember being so proud to say I had Italian roots. So, from a young age I have been curious to discover my family’s culture as well as travel to Italy. I am the product of a hardworking family. Both of my parents instilled in me the importance of a work ethic and family. Reflecting as an adult, I am impressed with the way I was raised. I always respect my elders (I try to spend a lot of time with people over the age of 80…it is good for you, trust me) I love and appreciate my family and friends, I consistently work hard at both my full time restaurant job and Body Rigatoni, and most importantly, I have a sense of humor with a side of North Jersey sarcasm.
Body By Rigatoni is the essence of who I am. It was created with my Mom, who I suddenly lost lost three years ago at the young age of sixty one. Just sitting at my kitchen table typing those words I can feel her be so proud of me. She would be proud that I finally followed through with Body By Rigatoni (the procrastination was real), that I am sharing with the world my passion for Italy and culture, and that I found a bit more confidence to share who I am with whoever finds BBR interesting.
Body By Rigatoni would not exist without a few key people in my life. I believe what we choose to create and share with the world comes from the cultivation of our experiences and influences. Working hard in restaurants from a young age has provided me the flexibility in my schedule to spend time abroad. Since my twenties, I have traveled to Italy two or three times per year. Every design or product I launch with Body By Rigatoni is telling a story about my personal experiences with Italy and the Italian culture. One of my newest designs, “The Volo” (the flight) features the Statue of Liberty (NYC), a plane, and Vesuvio (Napoli). Napoli, is where I found my Italian family. Together, we have made a commitment to traveling back and forth every year to visit one another. We continue to create beautiful memories together in both the USA and Italy. They have shared their deep passion for their city with me.
“Napoli is not Italy,” is a common phrase you may hear. If you have traveled to Napoli you may agree with this thought. From my personal experiences in the city with a “bad reputation,” I am proud to say that it has become the city I love the most. This thought may describe exactly who I am. Someone who works hard, enjoys a good belly laugh, and at the end of the day is happy with a good meal in good company. Napoli is holding onto its own culture while the world around it is changing at a rapid pace. This can be for many reasons, but regardless, I believe Neapolitans have decoded the way to remain happy in the life. They have held onto their history, their culture, and the unfortunate way that nothing is convenient to them. All the while, Neapolitans are enjoying the simple pleasures life has to offer. The city has naturally resonated with me the most and I have developed a deep admiration for Napoli that influences Body By Rigatoni.
How’d you meet your business partner?
This story does not explain how I met my “cofounder” or “business partner,” but how I met someone exactly one year ago who changed my life’s path. My friend Alessandra Vagnozzi and I met through instagram. Our paths crossed through Janine, the talented owner of Homemade by Bruno. Known for her pasta, gelato-making, and recipes showcased on Instagram as well as in her shop in Philadelphia, Pennslyvania. While my family friends were visiting from Italy, I drove to Philadelphia to introduce them to Janine. That is where I met and connected with Alessandra for the first time. Our friendship grew through Instagram conversations mainly about our shared love of Italy and our passion for food as well as eating.
Alessandra was going to take some friends from Italy to NYC last May (2023). She reached out to me asking if I had any tourist suggestions and if I would want to meet them one day. Of course I said yes. We organized a day exploring downtown with some breaks at a few pizza and taco spots. When we were on the Brooklyn Bridge, I started to share my idea of Body By Rigatoni with Ale. I was explaining how I had a passion for this project, but it was originally organized with my Mom who I unfortunately lost two years ago. On the bridge, Alessandra mentioned her husband Ryan’s ability to screen print the apron my mom had originally designed for BBR. From that moment, Body By Rigatoni felt achievable. Since that day in May 2023, I have never felt alone in BBR. Alessandra and Ryan have become apart of the BBR family. Actually, we are the BBR family. From emotional support, a brainstorm session that lasts until 4AM with endless espresso and bottles of Pellegrino drank, screen printing, or a pop event, in just one year I have found two people I can genuinely count on. Together, we make up the team that is Body By Rigatoni. I always tell Ale she has been the biggest gift from my angel, my Mom (she knew I would need a little push to finally start BBR.)
Alessandra moved from Morro d’oro in Abruzzo, where she was born and then to Verona, Italy. Eventually in 2019 she moved to the United States and as she wrote to me she, “stayed for love ahahahah.” One of my favorite products is the, “Alessandra Tote.” It is inspired by Alessandra living in America, but always missing and keeping Italy in her heart.
To Ryan and Alessandra, BBR is because you two believed in the brand & our shared love for Italia. Per sempre.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Ooofff…there has been many lessons learned. I think recently one of the biggest is “one step at a time.” When you start your own brand you are every aspect of the company. I had so many ideas in the beginning I did not know where to start. I wanted to go in the direction of organizing trips, but then I enjoyed the process of designing and creating. So, I was doing both planning trips and focusing on creating merchandise for the brand. My focus was in too many directions. I was almost feeling as if I was loosing the brand’s identity. For now, I have decided to take a step back from planning and organizing trips to Italy until the time seems right. Currently, I want to focus on building up the brand one step at a time. I have so many ideas, but I also need to remember I am only one person. I work a full time restaurant job (most weeks I am there more than 40 hours a week) as well as trying to execute Body By Rigatoni the best I can. I continuously remind myself why I started BBR. Once I am able to find my center and reflect on my “why” I am able to create and partake in better decision making skills. I remind myself daily that life is longggggggg and we do not need to be at the finish line. The fun part is in the day to day- that is also where I find my inspiration. I am also someone who thrives in the possibility of the “unknown.” I believe putting your passion out into the universe to be shared will only bring opportunity. There is no good time to “start” – you just need to “start.” I trust that everything will fall into place and naturally guide me this helps with the feeling of being overwhelmed as well.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bodybyrigatoni.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodybyrigatoni/
Image Credits
Juan Casanova Nicole Ponti (myself)