Inspiring Conversations with Michele Minghetti of Dante’s Bakery

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Minghetti. 

Hi Michele, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
The story of the Fratelli Minghetti (Minghetti brothers) goes all the way back to when we were children. Our nonna (grandmother) always prepared homemade pasta, bread, and focaccia, so when we went to visit her, she would feed us the freshest and tastiest food. Hence, as young boys, you could always find us in the kitchen with our Italian nonna. We want to go back to simplicity where it should be a pleasure to eat and share meals with others – conviviality. Eating together has always been an important moment of our family and social life, a moment in which the pleasure of eating good things blends with that of communing with each other. As our nonna always told me; “Michele you should never eat alone, if you see somebody eating by themselves, ask them to join your table.” And what she also taught me was, that if I am feeling sad, I should go out with friends and have a slice of pizza (or in our region focaccia) as she was a strong believer that you can’t be sad while eating pizza (focaccia). And of course, you have to finish it with a delicious gelato (ice cream). 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Reflecting upon our experiences, I cannot deny that we have encountered various obstacles on our journey. Specifically, one significant challenge that persists is obtaining sufficient rest. Despite its apparent simplicity, this task is not easy to accomplish, especially given our background in competitive sports and our unrelenting drive to improve. Nonetheless, it is crucial to appreciate and celebrate small achievements along the way, as they ultimately culminate in the attainment of our ultimate goal.

As an entrepreneur, I strongly advise others to relish the journey and embrace the hurdles, as they serve to strengthen one’s character and leadership abilities. Moreover, it is important to remember that success is a personal definition, one that should be established from the outset of one’s journey. To that end, individuals must take the time to identify their “why” before embarking on any venture. This will serve as a guiding principle, providing direction and purpose during challenging times. Success is a gradual process, and it is essential to remain patient and persistent as you work towards your goals. Life is more like a marathon than a sprint, and endurance and perseverance are critical to achieving success.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dante’s Bakery is an authentic Italian bakery founded by two brothers who are passionate about creating the best focaccia. Our mission is to offer an authentic Italian experience to the community of West Michigan, drawing upon our firsthand experiences living in Italy and our grandmother’s homemade pasta and bread.

At Dante’s Bakery, we take pride in using only six simple ingredients in our baking process, which includes letting the dough rise multiple times to maximize its enzymes, flavor, and digestive properties. While this may require a longer baking time, it ensures that our products are not only delicious but also healthier for our customers.

The overwhelming positive response from the community has been a humbling experience for us. We are grateful for the support and appreciation we have received, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to provide the best baked goods and take our customers on a brief journey to Italy.

We are honored to be part of this wonderful community and look forward to serving you at Dante’s Bakery.

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
It is essential to maintain an open-minded attitude when seeking to expand your network or find a mentor. Be willing to ask questions and acknowledge that no one has all the answers. Everyone has something valuable to offer, and you can learn from anyone with the right approach and curiosity.

It is worth noting that people are generally supportive and approachable, so do not hesitate to reach out and ask for assistance or advice. Even if they are unable to assist, the worst outcome is typically a polite decline. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain positive relationships and stay in touch with your connections. These relationships can prove to be valuable assets in the future.

Will we see Dante’s Bakery this year in West Michigan?
As my brother and I prepare to bid farewell to West Michigan, we cannot help but reflect on the incredible experience we had running Dante’s Bakery. We are immensely grateful for the warmth and kindness that we received from the community, and we cherish every memory we made here. Just writing this makes me extremely emotional, as we will dearly miss West Michigan and all the wonderful people we had the privilege of meeting here

While it is difficult to leave, we have decided not to return to Grand Rapids in the near future due to our longing for our family and friends back home. Nevertheless, we cannot emphasize enough how thankful we are for each person we met, and every customer who enjoyed our baked goods.

We are incredibly proud to have been part of such a vibrant and welcoming community, and it has been an honor to call ourselves West Michiganders. From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank everyone for their support and for making our time here so memorable.

And lastly, I am filled with immense gratitude for the unwavering support and companionship of my brother Raffaele throughout our journey. Without his presence and guidance, these precious moments would have remained elusive and unfulfilled.

Though we may be leaving now, we hope to see you again soon. Until then, take care and stay well. A presto, West Michigan!

Pricing:

• $5.99-$7.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dantesbakery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dantesbakery_mi/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dantesbakery.mi/