So, I finally bit the bullet and after 20+ years in corporate positions (primarily business development, sales leadership, event production and staging), have decided to shift gears, and have started a gelato business here in Nashville!
The business concept began back in 2017, when Caroline (https://lnkd.in/gHWbHBjc) and I were living and working in Abu Dhabi with Etihad Airways. As life happens, we made a detour or two, but it seemed like the right time to move forward, and I have a solid business model, so here we go!
The company is GELATANO©, (a hybrid of gelato and Franano, good right?) and, Caroline is a 50% partner, but I will be running the day-to-day. Our principal market is events of course, with secondary markets being live events, concerts, farmer’s markets, etc. of which there are many here throughout the year.
The business is entirely mobile, and we have our first cart arriving from Italy soon, so I will begin taking bookings beginning March 2024. It’s truly artisan as everything is made fresh to order here in Nashville, utilizing only local suppliers and products.
I’m definitively a little nervous, as a first-time entrepreneur, but even more excited, and have been prepping the launch, and making some delicious gelato in the meantime. We are experimenting with some interesting flavor profiles and will offer specialty flavor options including alcohol infused, and multiple non-dairy items as well.
Phase two includes local wholesale to restaurants and retail, and then on to regional, and who knows, maybe even national distribution.
I keep in the back of my mind that, at age 65, Colonel Harland Sanders began franchising his chicken business using his $105 monthly Social Security check. Today, Kentucky Fried Chicken operates more than 5,200 restaurants in the United States and more than 15,000 units around the world.
So, if he can make it happen at 65, I have a head start! I know it will be a lot of work, and figuring things out as I go, but I am ready for it; and I am excited to deliver a premium product and experience for our customers and partners.
If you are planning any events in the greater Nashville area, please keep GELATANO© in mind, we would love to cater your event. Also, keep an eye out for us at major events beginning in the late spring.
Check us out here: www.gelatano.com
Our website is a work in progress, so please check us out occasionally as there will be new posts to our blog. And I will be posting regularly to LinkedIn and our social pages.
If you can dream it, you can do it!
Southeast Business Development at MCG Architecture
2moAwesome venue! Great “pivot” to keep schedule. Looking forward to great networking and lots of fun with all the Contractors, Closers, & Connections of Orlando members and friends.