We had the good fortune of connecting with Francesco Sinatra and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Francesco, how do you think about risk?
“Memento Audere Semper” is my motto. (remember to always dare). At the age of 19 I walked out of my father’s house after a big fight. I didn’t have anything with me. From that moment I decided I would try my best in every job i would have taken, in every relationship i would have started, and in general with my life and where it would have taken me. I decided I wanted to become a journalist, and I did, in 3 years I was working for the most important newspaper in Italy. when I wanted to learn English, I took a flight to Los Angeles and I moved. I worked as a busboy in a family restaurant in West Hollywood, and when I start speaking English (in the main time I learned also to speak Spanish), I moved up as bar-back, then bartender, waiter, and manager of a restaurant, until I felt it was the time to open my own Italian restaurant. Was it risky? sure, how many good Italian restaurants are in L.A.. a lot! But risks are a constant in everybody’s life and mine is not different. The secret is how you look at risks that change the prospective and give you the strength to stand out… I saw that risk as an opportunity to show my value, learn new things, and try what others were too scared to do. Critical thinking is the way to interpret it and avoid reckless or an irresponsible actions. Every risk I take is very well thought, and calculate. I think that the prediction of many different outcomes of the same matter gave me the ability to forecast the results of certain risks I took, and sometimes, even if what I expected didn’t go the way I imagined it, I have the solution already planned for that particular outcome. I spend a lot of time thinking, and planning every day. It’s part of the job of any CEO being able to take risks and overcome them with creative and calculated solutions.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pasta Sisters is a family restaurant, run by me, Paola, Giorgia, Francesca and our fantastic management staff, and employees. We opened our restaurant to serve the REAL AUTHENTIC ITALIAN FOOD. but not with a static menu, but letting the customers choose the type of pasta and the type of sauce of their liking to combine. We really wanted to create family with our employees and interacting and discovering their lives we were able to connect on a deeper level, and teach them to care about their job and do it with passion. It took a long time, and a lot of effort to get to know everyone and make them appreciate what they have and do. I want the world to know that Pasta Sisters cares! We put a lot of effort and attention with the preparation of our food, starting from the choice of the ingredients, to the service… every step we take is well thought and we do it for our wonderful customers.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my friend to bike on the beach! from Santa Monica to Venice. There are many little places to stop by and grub some food. I like to go to Big Deans for a burger and a beer. And the spontaneous market in Venice is very fun and interesting to see. The bike ride is already an experience!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my mom Paola (co-owner of Pasta Sisters), Giorgia and Francesca, my sisters, and Rebecca, my wife. We work all together at Pasta Sisters, and they give me motivation, ideas, and strength to give my best everyday. Without them Pasta Sisters would not exist.
Website: pastasisters.com
Instagram: pasta_sisters
Image Credits
Giorgia Sinatra