Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in food and beverage but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carlo Raciti, founder of Almotti Gluten Free Italian Delicacies, located in Miami, FL, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Almotti Gluten-Free Italian Delicacies is a 100% dedicated gluten-free bakery brand based in Miami, Florida. Founded and operated by Pastry Chef Carlo Raciti, a 3rd generation Sicilian baker, and wife Rebecca Bechara, Almotti specializes in Southern Italian handcrafted gourmet products reminiscent of Carlo's Italian roots and traditions.

Almotti products were created for those with gluten and dairy intolerance, but because of its amazing quality craftsmanship and use of all-natural ingredients, Almotti is for EVERYONE to enjoy!

Tell us about yourself

As a young boy in Viagrande, a Sicilian village not far from the smoking peak of Mount Etna, I would read recipes from loose pages of an old family cookbook, dreaming of my future as a pastry chef and spending most of my time at the family bakery, Panificio Raciti in Acireale, Sicily learning from my uncle Zio Tanino Raciti and my cousin Marcelo Raciti. My parents pushed me to make another career choice, so I graduated with a Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism from the Instituto Albergiero in Sicily. After working ten years in the field, I knew I had to follow my heart and ultimately left to become a pastry chef.

On a weekend trip to Miami, I met the love of my life, Rebecca, and made a choice to propose and move to Miami to start a family. When we welcomed our first son Mario Carlo, we decided to take off a year and move to my family's house in Sicily to raise our son and experience firsthand Italian customs and life. It was a time for my family and me to dream about our future.

While in Sicily, I went back to my roots and focused on my cooking skills, completing my certification in Pastry Chef at Chef Academy at Terni, Italy. I trained with Pastry Chef Stefano Fittuccia at his bakery Pasticceria Fittuccia, Master Pastry Chef Giuseppe Giangreco at Pasticceria Quaranta in Catania, Italy. I went on to train with other various bakers like Giovanni Gandino, Master Pastry Chef Roberto Lestani, and Carmelo Recupero.

One night, over a bottle of pinot noir, me and my wife dreamed up a bakery called Almotti, a combination of "almond" and "biscotti" – where they would sell classic Italian cookies in the states. We quickly returned to Miami, determined to follow our dream of starting a family business and sharing my Sicilian baked goods with all. He continued training in gluten-free baked goods to bring a unique twist to the Sicilian bakery and to provide the Celiac and gluten intolerant community with Sicilian handcrafted treats.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Seeing Almotti grow from an idea to an incredible business with a warehouse, a team of 6, products sold in over 17 retail locations (one being internationally in Panama), and an online store that is growing exponentially and reaching new target customers all over the country!

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

The best part of doing business as husband and wife is having the luxury of carrying the weight of our business together. As a dynamic duo, Carlo and Rebecca really help each other battle through the process of owning a successful business. Carlo's strengths in the kitchen and Rebecca's strong business management skills make quite the unstoppable pair!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Stay true to your brand.
  2. Follow your heart.
  3. Never give up, no matter how many doors close on you. There will always be one person out there to open the next one.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Check out almotti.com for the best in Italian gluten-free baked goods! We ship nationwide and look forward to having our products in a local store near you.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://almotti.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/almotti
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/almottidelicacies/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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