Meet Jennifer Porciello

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

Jennifer , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

It’s rooted in a deep sense of responsibility, first to my children, and before that, to the vision I’ve always had for my life. I’ve never given up on myself because I’ve never seen that as an option.

I’ve always been entrepreneurial. I believe in hard work, consistency, and creating opportunities rather than waiting for them. While some days are harder than others, I’ve learned to focus on what is working, and use that momentum to move forward.

I view financial independence as a foundation for personal confidence and emotional stability. It’s not just about security, it’s about freedom, self-esteem, and the ability to lead with clarity and purpose. That’s what I strive for, and that’s what I hope to pass on to my children. For me, resilience is not just survival, it’s sustained effort toward a meaningful and self-directed life.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My business partner, Gina Natoli and I launched Miami NY Food Tours to celebrate the culinary, architectural, and historical richness of both our hometowns, Miami and New York. This year, we’re thrilled to bring that vision full circle with the launch of our new food tour in Northport, a charming harbor town on Long Island with deep roots and cobblestone streets leading to the sea.

New York holds a special place in our hearts, it’s where we grew up, where our families still live, and where our passion for food and storytelling began. As the Miami season winds down, we’re excited to bring our tours north for the summer and share what we love with the community that shaped us.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three qualities that had the greatest impact on my journey were resilience, focus, and vision. My advice to anyone starting out: don’t dwell on what’s not working, focus on what is. Every day is a new opportunity to move closer to your goals. Set clear intentions each morning, let go of yesterday’s setbacks, and start fresh with grace, clarity, and confidence. Most importantly, never stop believing in yourself and never stop learning!

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

Right now, my biggest challenge is financial. Launching a new business is never simple, specially in your 50s with a family depending on you. But I see it as an opportunity to rise to the occasion with clarity and purpose.
To overcome it, I stay proactive: I ask for support when needed, pursue every opportunity that aligns with my vision, and make it a point to show up, whether that’s through networking, learning from peers, or simply staying visible.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miaminyfoodtours/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MiamiCulinaryTours/