Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Stef Cimini . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Stef , we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
Self care is a crucial part of everyone ‘s journey to fulfillment. I practice sport, take good care of my body in its whole, I try to stay on top of little age related annoying hiccups.
But most of all, my self care consists in practice self gentleness and tell myself everyday I gave it all and did a good job, no matter the outcome, which obviously cannot always be positive every single day.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My story has been a zig zag journey to say the least.
Born in a small town in center Italy, I suffered the quiet, simple and calm lifestyle and dreamt all my teenager years to fly away to most interesting places, which finally happened when I left for college.
After getting a college degree in Communications and simultaneously a degree in Culinary Arts, I started a job as Chef de Partie in a Michelin star restaurant in Barcelona, Spain.
Four years later my curiosity and desire to improve my language skills brought me to England, where I spent a year, half of it in the far north and the other half in the far south, York and Brighton.
Back in Italy, I got a master degree in Marketing and Events, had a formative stage at the Sheraton Hotel of Rome, as Food and Beverage Assistant Manager, took on a big project as opening manager of one of the biggest and diverse food realities in Rome, Romeo Chef and Baker, which combined bakery, deli, Michelin star restaurant all under the same roof.
Three years later was time to sail to America, where I learned opportunities were everywhere for who was ready to work hard and dream big.
During the last 10 years I funded a hot sauce company, S.O.Terra, opened 2 restaurants as a Project Opening Manager, had and raised (still raising) 2 beautiful kids, got through a divorce and own a successful Gelato Business.
Dolce Bacio Gelato concept brings the authentic and sophisticated flavors of Italy outside its borders, exporting one of the country’s most iconic food products: Gelato.
The unmistakable pink Gelato Bike pops up around town for all sorts of events, such as weddings, parties, school and corporate occasions.
I take pride in making Gelato without compromises, 100% authentic, heart & soul Italian.
Dolce Bacio is a virtual brand operating from a Cloud Kitchen. It can be found in restaurants and event centers around town, it can be hired for every kind of event, or it can be ordered and delivered through the major third party delivery services.
Our gelato is made from scratch daily in artisan, small batches with all-natural, clean ingredients sourced from Italy, crafted with the highest grade, state-of-the-art machinery also imported from Italy, ensuring consistent quality and freshness.
There is no better feeling than walking into an event and get to see all smiling faces welcoming you and your gelato.
Somehow I always get to speak some Italian with someone who knows the language and it always makes my day!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
It’s tough to choose just 3 qualities / skills, but I think the most important are humility, positive actitude and grit.
Staying humble allows you to learn from others, ask for advise and overcome little bumps down the road.
Positive actitude helps to stay strong during hard times, to attack every task with a smile and the optimism you will succeed if you work hard enough.
And grit. The most important.
Your journey to success will always be a roller coaster, grit allows you to never give up, to get up after every failure, until you finally find the right opportunity and are ready to seize it!
To develop or improving these skills all it takes is willingness. Every day train yourself to be your best version, once you trained long enough you will become that person. In the end, we are all creatures of habit, so just make it a habit to be who you aim to be.
