Today we’d like to introduce you to Alfred Cervini.
Alfred, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In college I was a Criminal Justice major and all of my electives were gourmet cooking and food preparation. Coming from a traditional Italian family in NY I was already at home in the kitchen. After some law enforcement I enlisted in the Marines. I had a few specialized MOSs which allowed me to quickly move up with Sams Club Asset protection. One of my duties entailed food safety, quality, and margins in all fresh areas along with monthly P&L’s. Food always being a passion with the business side of the house it seemed a natural option to open a restaurant and do what I want to do for me. Years before this, Living in Wake Forest, I had an LLC for property management and owned 10 rental properties which allowed the dream to come true. I have since opened a new company with has commercial property in its portfolio that I am running as well as the restaurant. The thing I’ve noticed is many other business people have called me for help with their business because I’ve seemed to have made an impression. The thing is they are calling me at work when I am seriously busy from their home watching tv. Sometimes the answer is participate in your own business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
They say if a restaurant can make it the first year it will make it. The first 7 months of opening we drove from Raleigh to Wilmington every day. A hurricane hit just before the opening and many people were displaced. The wheels were in motion and there was no turning back and nowhere to relocate. Then 11 months after opening, were in the clear and Covid hit. This is a story in itself. Switching menus, changing to all togo, finding help, finding product and packaging.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a servant leader. As an entrepreneur you have to be a one man band. The idea person, the engineer, the laborer, the leader. Once you expand you must seek quality people and lead by example. Often a team member will not surpass the leader. You must walk the walk. If the floor needs to be mopped you need to be the best mopper in the world. Dishes need to be done, show the world how to do it. I take no pride in myself just the people I bring along with me for the ride.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
With my careers in Law Enforcement, Investigations, bodyguarding and the USMC I shouldn’t even be here right now. I am blessed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rosaliestrattoria.com/
- Instagram: rosaliestrattoria
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ItaliaFeast/
