Pizza Today - March 2018 - 16

Conversation

MELISSA RICKMAN
W H O L LY S T R O M B O L I
FORT LUPTON, COLORADO

LOCATED JUST ON THE OUTSKIRTS
OF DENVER, COLORADO, WHOLLY
STROMBOLI IS AN EAST COAST EATERY,

specializing in all of the amazing foods I
grew up with, particularly New York-style
pizza and stromboli. We are in our eighth
year of operation and are very blessed
to have experienced double-digit sales
growth year over year.
Wholly Stromboli is about old-fashioned
values and handcrafted foods served up
with hospitality that, unfortunately, you
don't see a whole lot these days.
Our culture is rooted in family values.
We treat our team with hospitality, and
they treat our guests the same way.
Hospitality has to start from the bottom
up. Unlike a traditional org chart, where
the CEO or owner sits at the top, Eric and
I believe that we are the foundation that
supports our team, who then support our
guests. We empower each other, support
1 6 / P I Z Z AT O D AY. C O M / M A R C H 2 0 1 8

each other and push each each other to
learn, grow and succeed.
Community involvement is also very
important to our team. Unlike some
operators who believe in saying yes to
every donation request, we instead pick
a few good causes each year and put our
whole hearts into them. To that end, we
don't just write a check to the local cause,
we get out there and get involved, elbow
to elbow with our neighbors doing the
work that makes our community great!
CHALLENGES AS A WOMAN IN PIZZA

- In my experience, a man is looked
upon as a good leader if he is strong in his
convictions, clear in his expectations and
holds his team to a high standard.

COMMON START UP MISTAKES

As a woman, you can embody those
same traits and be called a b--ch, hard to
work for or intimidating. Women haven't
always held these roles so this can be
new territory for women as well as their
team and colleagues in the industry. It may
be difficult for some to adapt, (and) it is
getting easier as the years pass, but can
be frustrating nevertheless.
The restaurant business, particularly
upper leadership, is a very male dominated
business. It can be challenging to fit in
with the "boys." Some employees in the
restaurant business come from cultures
which are not very accepting of women
in leadership positions. It can be a real
challenge to break through those barriers,
but it is certainly rewarding when you do.
As an outspoken women who isn't afraid
to use my voice to ask for what I want,
or be clear about my expectations, I can
attest to the backlash from employees who
say that I am intimidating when they first
come in to our organization (or when they
first join our team). They say they are not
accustomed to a woman who speaks with
a candid, honest voice who commands
respect.
I expect my team to hold themselves
to a higher standard, earn each others'
respect, and to excel at whatever they do,
but to also feel comfortable using open
and honest communication.
One doesn't find much success by
complaining about things behind the boss'
back. For that reason, I encourage our team
to communicate with me in an honest
fashion, which I think can be intimidating
at first, but very beneficial once it occurs.
In the end, though, much like any
other relationship, a work relationship
built on open communication and clear
expectations is far more successful
than one without those traits. Setting
clear expectations coupled with honest
communication builds a team of dedicated,
hardworking people who support Wholly
Stromboli's mission and values, which
results in unmatched hospitality and a
great product food. As a result, we have
lower than average turnover, a great base
of repeat customers and a successful
business.

SEE MORE OF OUR CONVERSATION WITH MELISSA AT PIZZATODAY.COM
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Pizza Today - March 2018

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