We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lindsay Kennedy. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Lindsay, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
For me, life is all about balance. Intelligence, energy, and integrity each have their place, and together they create something really powerful. But if I had to choose, integrity comes first. Without it, there’s no foundation for anything else. You can be the smartest person in the room or bring incredible energy to the table, but if integrity isn’t at the core of who you are, none of that matters. Integrity is what allows people to trust you, connect with you, and feel that you’re being authentic and genuine in your interactions.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Lindsay Kennedy, owner of Dolcetto, Cheese, & Specialty Goods. Dolcetto (Dole-CHET-oh, though our team lovingly calls it “Chetty”) is a boutique wine and cheese shop, but at our core, we’re about connection. I believe food is the first step in so many of life’s most meaningful experiences. Whether it’s roasting s’mores by the lake or savoring a nine-course meal from a celebrated chef, the food we share has a way of bringing people together, sparking joy, and telling our stories.
What makes Dolcetto unique is that we’re not just here to sell cheese and wine. We’re here to guide our guests toward flavors and experiences they may not know they’ll love yet. We hand-select artisan cheeses, thoughtfully curate our wines, and seek out specialty goods that inspire curiosity and delight. At the heart of it all is our connection to the community, creating a space where people feel welcomed, inspired, and truly connected through food. We’re always searching for the most delicious things to bring into our guests’ lives.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I grew up in a small rural farming community where the path for life was pretty well laid out: stay close to home, have kids, and don’t question things because that’s just how it’s done. Most meals had a touch of Crisco, and vegetables were rarely eaten raw. For a long time, I believed that was the only way forward.
As I got older, I realized that life doesn’t have to be defined by tradition or expectation. Falling into patterns simply because they’re familiar doesn’t bring meaning. I’ve learned to ask questions, seek new perspectives, and fill my life with thoughtful choices and meaningful intention. I encourage my team to do the same. Ask questions, think critically, and never follow blindly.
We’re all stronger when we lead with curiosity and respect for one another. For me, joy and fulfillment come from creating my own path, not following someone else’s.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up. I wish I could say otherwise, but it wouldn’t be true. I have a very rare spinal cord syndrome, and it took nearly 18 years and 32 doctors to finally get a diagnosis and treatment. In the years leading up to that point, I experienced episodes where my legs would stop working, and each day I became more ill. Several doctors dismissed my symptoms, suggesting they were “in my head” or simply “female issues,” because I didn’t fit neatly into what they’d learned in textbooks.
Eventually, I thought I had exhausted every possible option, reasonable and unreasonable alike. Then I met the neurosurgeon who would ultimately save my life. SHE was confident she knew what was wrong, even though my case was rare within an already rare syndrome. The morning of my surgery, I remember thinking, this is my last chance to get help.
Six years later, I’m thriving. I earned my master’s degree, own my own business, and recently celebrated my third anniversary as a business owner. That experience taught me resilience, self-advocacy, and the power of perseverance, and I carry those lessons into everything I do.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the food industry is the idea that all food is good food. It’s simply not true. Food is what fuels us, connects us, and sustains our health, so it should be treated with care and intention. Like everything else in life, eating should be approached with balance and mindfulness.
Take cheese, for example. It shouldn’t have ten ingredients; it usually only needs three or four. The same goes for wine. Many commercial wines are filled with additives and chemicals that most people don’t realize they’re consuming. There are more than seventy-five different things that can legally be added to wine without ever being listed on the label. Yikes, right?
That’s why I believe in supporting small producers. They tend to prioritize transparency, craftsmanship, and quality ingredients. Their practices aren’t just better for our health, they’re better for the planet and the people behind every bite and sip.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
You may not get time to try to start your dreams tomorrow. Start today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dolcettofarmington.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dolcettofarmington
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dolcettofarmington
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dolcettofarmington
Image Credits
Tall James Photography
