- Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Leoni’s Pizzeria has been serving Southwest Floria for over 25 years with three locations – Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, and Naples – serving gourmet pizza, award-winning wings, Philly cheese steaks, homemade pasta dishes and salads – offering take-out, dine in, and delivery.
- Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Restaurant and Hospitality Businesses
Tom Venetis has owned multiple restaurant concepts, nightclubs, and hotels. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Move to Newport Beach California and migrated to Southwest Florida in 1994. He has traveled around the world developing different food concepts.
- What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Tom grew up in the restaurant business with a passion for food and hospitality. At the age of 16, he opened his first restaurant to support his family when his father became ill. His father inspired him to follow in his footsteps.
- What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
- Love what you do
- Do it to the best of your ability
- Strive for success
- What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
- Education
- Work ethics
- Consistency
- How many hours do you work a day on average?
Daily hours of work-10 to 15 hours
- To what do you most attribute your success?
Attribute my success to hard work and hours of surrounding myself with great staff.
- How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
- Direct mail-most successful
- Internet marketing
- Social media-most successful
- Radio
- Community involvement – through charity events and sports
- Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Funding capital-from savings and financial institutions. No investors were needed.
- What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
- Serving excellent products
- Great staff
- Provide excellent customer service!
- Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
In 5 to 10 years, I see myself expanding many more locations and growing the business.
- Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
I admire restaurant chains like Outback, Carrabba’s, and Olive Garden
- How important have good employees been to your success?
They are the key role to a successful business.
- How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Six months to a year
- What motivates you?
Successful promotions
- What are your ideals?
My father was an inspiration and a successful businessman.
- How do you generate new ideas?
Brainstorming with my staff and marketing consultants.
- How do you define success?
When the restaurant does high-volume with great ratings and reviews.
- How do you build a successful customer base?
Good food and great service.
- What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Coming up with new menu items to satisfy our customers.
- What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Giving back to the community.
- What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Entrepreneurs have more risk if they are not successful.
- What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Multi-culture: to attract and serve a larger customer base.
- In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Exceptional
- If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Nothing
- How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
It has been rewarding teaching the family the business.
- What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
A bad economy and competition. I manage fear head-on with multiple discounts.
- How did you decide on the location for your business?
Demographics and traffic count
- Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Yes
- If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Alexander the Great – he conquered most of the civilized world during his time.
- Who has been your greatest inspiration?
My father
- What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Over expanded too quickly
- How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Not rush into things
- What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Boating and traveling
- What makes you happy?
My family and business
- What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Working long hours
