WOMEN in BUSINESS - April/May 2009 - (Page 29) “You have to be a certain kind of person to be successful in this business, outgoing and with a passion to be the best,” says Marci Davison, owner of Carmela’s Bistro and Wine Bar in Lincoln, Neb. “I wouldn’t have gone ahead if I didn’t think I had those qualities.” pair the best wine with their food,” she says. “That is my specialty.” Carmela’s, which means vineyard in several Mediterranean languages, also has an extensive wine shop to go along with its wine list. “My initial ambition was to open a specialty wine and cheese shop, but my family pushed me to go ahead and open a sit-down restaurant.” “You have to be a certain kind of person to be successful in this business, outgoing and with a passion to be the best,” Davison says. “I wouldn’t have gone ahead if I didn’t think I had those qualities.” Business has been good, she reports. “People like to go to authentic and familyowned businesses,” she says. All appearances are that Carmela’s Bistro and Wine Bar is a hit in Lincoln. Davison employs 58 people including Chef Shane Goodall, who prepares a varied cuisine of fresh and local ingredients, all begging to be paired with some of the 200 wines on hand from around the world. “We have a wine club, and we will ship wine anywhere a customer would like. We serve special dinners where we explain the appropriate wines to serve, and we also have a Wine 101 course for the public,” Davison says. Carmela’s has become a very popular place in Lincoln, open Monday through Saturday, with reservations required for the busiest nights. In fact, the newly chartered ABWA No Limits! Express Network in Lincoln holds its monthly meetings at Carmela’s. Davison enjoyed the company of the members so much that she recently became one herself. “I really love the ladies of ABWA. They have been so kind to me,” she says. As far as lessons she’s learned on her own since venturing into business: “You need to have a passion for the business; a good location is a must,” she says, “and always try to hire people who are better than yourself.” And her advice for would-be business owners? “Always believe in yourself.” So if you visit Lincoln, be kind to yourself and make a reservation at Carmela’s Bistro and Wine Bar, located at 70th and Pioneers Blvd. Call (402) 489-0005. A p r / M Ay 2 0 0 9 W o M E N i n B uS I N E S S 29
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