Today we’d like to introduce you to Pete Palazzolo.
Hi Pete, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 1986 Marie Palazzolo opened up Palazzolo’s Italian Specialties in Saugatuck Mi. She brougt in her son Pete at 15yrs old as her partner. They specilized in her home cooked italian foods. They fast leared what a fair weather town was like and found an oppratunity to service other fine restaurants with their Gelato and Sorbetto. Pete pivited the business from a restaurant to wholesale manufacturing for others. He found great success that the chefs we’re eagerly awaiting what he could do for them. Together they created the highest culnary level of gelato possable, using Tahitian vanilla, Couverture chocolate and other epacurien ingredients.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was not easy to start up. Looking back it’s clear the sacrifice and dedication it took. No bank or money group to back the idea just Pete’s willingness to press forward. It took 10 years of late nights and little to no personal pay so to use the funds for growth of the business.
Pete had built up thousands of restaurant clients prior to CV19. The shutdowns closed 80% of them permanently.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about PGI of Saugatuck Inc?
Our business today runs our house brand – Palazzolo’s Artisan Dairy and Co-Packs for other brands. We specilize in higher quality ice cream products.
We have lead the pack with inovations in Frozen Yogurt and soft serve with clean ingredients and by adding particulates to the mix. An examle is our cookies n cream that it has small bits of dutch fudge cookies we make in house.
We are known best for our quality of ingredinets used, Our products are not made from shelf stable ingredinets but real parishable foods.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
You need to belive in yourself and stick with the plan you set in place. You will need to pass on some good times as you see your friends doing the same old thing weekend after weekend. You’re not missing out on anything if you’re working on your future. 20 yrs later you will be in a diffrent space as they are still working for the weekend.
If you are graduating from college it’s a good idea to move home with your folks hopfully rent free. Put the rent you save back in the business. Living back at home might help you say no to friends trying to pull you from your goal.
Pricing:
- Co-pack ice cream pricing is set up as Cost Plus 10% and a Toll to fill the container
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.palazzolosdairy.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4gelato
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@davegelato
- Other: https://www.4gelato.com
