The Hot Slice
The Hot Slice brings you inspiring stories, strategies and lessons learned from successful pizzeria professionals and top experts. This podcast is hosted by the team at Pizza Today, the premier network for pizzeria professionals. We’re bringing our award-winning interviewing and 37 years as a trusted pizza restaurant partner to the airwaves with real, in-depth conversations with pizzeria owners, champion pizza makers, industry pros and others to help make your business better.
The Hot Slice
289. How to Revitalize a Classic Brand Without Losing Its Soul
From handing out menus before she could even reach the tables to taking the reins as owner of Pino’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in Farmville, Virginia, Marilena Lentini’s journey is inspiring at every turn.
In this episode, we talk about the terrifying yet rewarding transition from employee to boss. Lentini opens up about the importance of maintaining positivity, and how she earned the respect of her staff. We also share the secret sauce for staying relevant at a decades-old community restaurant. Spoiler alert: It involves a lot of love for the locals and a surprising amount of TikTok!
You’ll hear how Lentini uses viral videos to bring in fresh faces without spending a dime on ads. Plus, we discuss the power of lifting up other local businesses instead of competing with them. This episode is packed with actionable advice and infectious energy. Tune in to hear how passion, hard work, and a little bit of social media savvy can take a business to a whole new level
Show Notes:
Pino’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria: https://www.pinosfarmville.com/
Pino’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@www.pinosfarmville.com