Life and Work with Gina Nasson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Nasson.

Gina, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in a large Italian family just outside of Boston. My mom was one of five girls. Life was centered around amazing food prepared by strong women. My maternal grandmother was an unwavering presence in my life. Growing up, I spent lots of time with her in her kitchen cooking and talking, learning how to cook by feel, look and taste. I moved from her kitchen to a part-time job in my aunts’ bakery in Boston when I started high school. I did all sorts of jobs within that bakery, again surrounded by family. I think that time at the bakery sealed my fate in a career in food. I attended Johnson and Wales University in Providence Rhode Island to study Hotel and Restaurant Management. College for me was a time of huge growth both academically and professionally. The program at Johnson and Wales had an intense practicum that placed students in every facet of the hospitality field, it was an incredible introduction to just about every job one could have in that industry. One summer during college, I moved to Martha’s Vineyard to work for a notable Boston chef who had an outpost in Edgartown for that one summer. Originally hired to hostess I was thrown into a management position after the restaurant manager left mid-season. I did not have a clue how to run a restaurant and relied on common sense and a very seasoned staff. I survived that summer and learned some very valuable lessons. As soon as I entered the world of restaurants, I fell in love with the energy of it. From that point on, I found myself working in several other Boston restaurants while completing my degree at Johnson and Wales. After my daughters were born, I struggled with the balance of evening restaurant work and motherhood. The opportunity arose to open my own place where I could work during the day doing something I loved, minus the wild Saturday nights of the restaurant business, with my girls, close by and still be able to put them to bed at night.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Let’s face it, being a mom and owning your own business is a tremendous endeavor and a really hard lifestyle. I do think that I underestimated just how much work it would be to raise children when I had this huge responsibility of my own business pulling at me. I am constantly striving for a balance of work and home life. My daughters Emma and Camille are the centers of my life. Luckily, I have been able to be the kind of mom I have wanted to be to them while still being able to have my own business. Many days there’s a lot of compromises that happen and I’m okay with that, I couldn’t do it any other way. For me, this shop is not just a hobby but a way to sustain my family. Some years are better than others and it takes a lot of creativity, long hours and hard work to keep things going as well as an incredible amount of perseverance. In the food business, especially, there are so many variables that are completely out of one’s control. Every day I try to keep perspective and remain focused on the core values of the business despite whats being thrown my way. I have been fortunate to be part of a family of strong women who have mentored me. Not everyone is as lucky to have amazing role models in their lives. I would advise all young women who are starting out in any type of profession to reach out to women you admire in your field. They will be an incredible resource to you as well as a sounding board for any ideas you may have. My biggest piece of advice would be to never stop learning. I am constantly researching, reading and brainstorming as well as learning from the huge amount of lessons that are in my day to day work. Often times, negative experiences can be an opportunity for growth and are sometimes more significant than positive experiences. 25 years after my stint on the Vineyard, I am still learning and I love it. Every day I learn something new, that’s part of what I love about this business. I don’t think I would be where I am today if I was not open to learning. I am also a firm believer in seeking out the best job experience you can possibly get. Find out who is the best in your field and work for them! Lastly, I would encourage every young woman to pursue a career in something they can pour their soul into and are infinitely passionate about, work that resonates with them. There is nothing more satisfying than truly believing in what you are doing, no matter what it is. Lastly, even if the path to your dream seems near to impossible, it can happen with a lot of hard work and perseverance. My little shop is living proof of that.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Farfalle Market Cafe & Wine Shop – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My shop is called Farfalle Market Cafe and Wine shop and is located in Concord Massachusetts. We specialize in all things Italian. We serve grilled panini identical to what you would find on the Italian Autostrada as well as homemade soups, pasta, sauces, prepared foods, gelato, and pastries. Our grocery shelves are stocked with imported olive oils, pasta, vinegar, wine and lots of other Italian products. There is seating in the shop and in the summer we have tables outdoors. I think we offer the most authentic Italian experience of any place in our immediate area. I am at the shop everyday cooking, talking to and serving customers. In today’s world, it is rare to have an owner operated the independent shop and I think my customers really appreciate that. I am often told when people enter my shop that they feel like they are in Italy. I try to keep things as close to the real thing as possible. No gimmicks or stereotypes. The food I prepare is what you would find in a countryside home in Italy. Pure ingredients prepared simply.

Who have you been inspired by?
My shop was born out of a tremendous amount of grief but also a lot of hope. My mother passed away in 2006 from a very rare illness that was diagnosed just 8 weeks before she died, she was 57. She spent many years in a corporate job where she worked her way up the ladder without a college education in a time that most executive positions were only held by men who had degrees. She always dreamed of retiring and having a 2.0 and running her own business. Unfortunately, that never came to be. Losing a loved one often forces a person to reevaluate and I did just that. I seized the opportunity to have my own business knowing that I could fulfill my own dream while honoring hers at the same time. The shop is named for her. Farfalle means butterfly in Italian, my mother loved butterflies. I feel my mother’s presence in my shop constantly, that’s where I feel the hope.

Contact Info:

• Address: 26 Concord Crossing
  Concord, MA 01742
• Website: farfalleitalianmarket.com
• Phone: 978-369-2900
• Email: gnasson@comcast.net

Image Credit:
Photos: Renee Ferris-Sudnick, Pottery: Via Bellissima

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