Keep Calm & Speak Italian!
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Interview with Chic Galleria – Women Entreprenuer Series
I was recently interviewed by Chic Galleria about being a woman entreprenuer and wanted to share the interview with all of you! It gives you some insight on my journey as an entrepreneur and background.
1) Share with us, something we don’t know about Dawn?
I majored in the Arts in college. Theatre arts, was my passion, a continuation of my childhood spent in a musical theatre & choir group that traveled around the country and abroad. Most people who know me now, have no idea about my performance background or that I can sing very well. I also went on to study Italian Renaissance Art History & Humanities and can tell you almost anything about Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Raphael, who happen to be all left-handed like myself.
2. What makes La Bella Vita Cosmetico a success?
I think there are several reasons why the company is successful. The vision of the company and philosophy has always been succinct; providing a taste of living La Bella Vita – living a beautiful life, Italian style, through superior products and services. We treat our consumer guests as though they are famiglia(family)making them feel a part of the La Bella Vita experience. Providing a gold standard of guest service that is second to none. Lastly, expanding their experience through extraordinary new products and service offerings.
3. How did you get started in the organic body & hair products business?
I have been in the beauty industry for almost two decades; in the salon & spa industry and on the retail side as a trainer with a prestige fragrance and beauty brand. I had always envisioned having my own line of skin, body and hair care products. Using my experience and expertise on both sides of the beauty industry, I finally decided to make my vision a reality and La Bella Vita Cosmetico was created.
Bella Vino – is an award winning Vino Therapy Skin Care & Spa Line, infused with the by-products of the wine making process, the certified organic ingredients provide powerful anti- oxidants and superior anti-aging benefits . Bello Organico –Organic body & facial products are made with the exclusive co-operation of a lovely Italian Organic Farm and Agriturismo in the heart of Tuscany, in Arezzo, Italy. The farm provides all the certified organic ingredients such as honey, lavender, mint, and rose. Bella Organico products are simple yet luxurious and each provide amazing anti-aging benefits.
One of the most important things to me in fulfilling my vision was to make sure that my products were not only luxurious – but health conscious, ethical and eco-friendly. So, I set out to ensure that we used only raw, certified organic ingredients derived from sustainable and fair traded sources. Therefore, our products are carcinogenic toxin free, vegan, cruelty free, and contain no parabens and fillers, for the health and safety of our consumer guests.
4. In what ways has your business cost you? Personally, financially, socially?
This question, is one that I get asked a lot! Personally having a business that demands your attention at all times can be overwhelming. I have learned to delegate tasks when it’s possible, although I do admit to still being a little bit of a control freak. Financially it can be quite scary – even when you are considered “successful” it seems there is always money constantly being paid out- the more you grow, the more you owe! Socially, being single, I find that dating/relationships can be challenging because of my work and travel schedule.
5. Give us some of the benefits of being a successful business owner?
Well, there are some really great benefits of being a successful business owner. First, I believe that in order to “get successful” you must “give back successfully ” and that is accomplished with aligning your business with a charity that speaks to you. I believe that mankind has the obligation to be charitable – I aligned my company with the San Damiano Foundation (www.sandamianofoundation.org) It is an amazing foundation that recognizes the power of film and social media to touch and inspire people, making it a perfect medium to communicate concern for the poor, social justice, peace and nonviolence. The vision for San Damiano creating these films for charity is twofold: to raise funds for the charities aiding the world’s poor, and to awaken the hearts and minds to the plight of the poor, hopefully inspiring viewers to serve those in need through acts of compassion and mercy. I for one know that it works brilliantly, a YouTube video posted by a friend via San Damiano Foundation on FaceBook inspired me to get involved. La Bella Vita Cosmetico donates 10% of all its product sales to the San Damiano Foundation.
Also, traveling on business to some great countries and multiple cities – and never thinking twice about staying a few extra days or weeks to enjoy them! It is definitely great to be the boss then! Lastly, meeting and speaking with really amazing people, some I consider personal mentors, that I would not have otherwise been able too, had it not been for my business or my weekly radio show La Bella Vita – www.toginet.com/shows/labellavita
6. What’s the best professional advice you ever received?
That the difference between successful people, and unsuccessful people, is that the successful people are willing to do the things that unsuccessful people won’t do. If you knock on fifty doors to pitch your product or service and they all say no and slam the door in your face, you better be able to be just as enthusiastic on door fifty one, as you were on the first one! Remember that not everyone will embrace your passion and vision and that’s okay – waiting for the visionaries that are fully engaged in your passion will support you and your business the most.
7. How do you successfully juggle family and friends, as a business owner?
There is a quote from me on my company web site that states “Wherever your heart and soul feel the fullest, embracing and being present in every moment of it, that is living La Bella Vita.” That statement is how I truly live my life – I am fully engaged and present whether I am working or when I’m with my friends and family.
8. What knowledge would you share with someone seeking to start their own business?
My advice is to figure out what you are most passionate about. What would motivate you to get you up each morning, with a smile on your face and do it every day without monetary compensation? Once you have figured that out – that is what you need to build your business idea around. When you create a business around your passion, you will never “work” another day in your life! Imagine how amazing this world would be if everyone discovered their true passion and fully embraced it!
9. Would you change anything about your journey from startup to success?
It would be easy to say that I would change the obstacles that were extremely challenging in building my business. However, I know that it was those obstacles that taught me the greatest lessons in business. Instead of being discouraged, I considered them learning opportunities and persevered with integrity and grace. Ask any entrepreneur, we’ve all experienced challenges and obstacles in our journey-however, it is how we react to them, that will determine whether we will be successful or unsuccessful.
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The Language of Love – Italiano Style
Want to know more about the language of love! Italiano style! No, I am not talking about that language of love – but love of the Italian language! I interviewed Christina Ball of Speak!Language Center located in Charlottesville, Va. on my weekly radio show La Bella Vita. Christina, is a Yale professor turned entrepreneur – she started her language school in 2004 then known as Ecco Italia and now Speak! Language Center! Starting with only Italian classes has now expanded to offer multiple language courses. You can find more information about the language center at www.speaklanguagecenter.com
Christina, also organizes several Italy trips – so you can immerse yourself in the language of amore and italian culture. A two week Italian language immersion in Todi – a beautiful hillside town right outside of Rome. If your passion is Opera she has a trip designed to combine your love of Opera and learning the italian language and takes place at www.seregoalighieri.it right outside the beautiful city of Verona. Sign me up for that one – Opera, Verona, what an amazing way to learn about the language than through beautiful opera. If creative writing is your passion – she has you covered with a creative writers “spa” in Umbria at www.roccofiore.it This beautiful agriturismo has a spa on site ….it doesn’t get much better than that! Beautiful Umbria, lovely agriturismo with a spa, immersing yourself in your passion and the culture of Italy! I am ready to take all three of these wonderful excursions – who is going to join me? You can listen to this great interview with Christina Ball via the La Bella Vita Radio ShowPodcast just click this link ! http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/la-bella-vita-10-27-2011/id443165445?i=103166870
“The Basic Art of Italian Cooking – Da Vinci Style” by Maria Liberati
I recently had the chance to speak with award winning cookbook author and Celebrity Chef – Maria Liberati on my weekly radio show La Bella Vita ! We discussed her newest cookbook;”The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Da Vinci Style.” www.marialiberati.com We had a great time talking about cooking italian food in the Da Vinci style! A true genius Da Vinci – who bascially invented just about everything, brillian artist, sculptor, writer, scientist and surprisingly a COOK! Maria follows Da Vinci’s travels and shares these vintage italian recipes!
We also chatted about harvest which is taking place right now in Italy and what harvest dishes the italian are serving up right now. Harvest is truly magical time in Italy as truffles the most expensive food in the world is being hunted by specially trained dogs. Locals are picking the last of their vegetable gardens and vineyards are busy harvesting the grapes for wine making! You can hear the interview via podcast http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/la-bella-vita-10-20-2011/id443165445?i=102107609
Here is a little more information about Maria Liberati –
As a former international supermodel, Maria Liberati never dreamed that she would go from being a fashion diva to a domestic diva. Ironically, while jet setting off to modeling assignments around the world, Maria became closer to the simplicity of life and food in the country setting of her family’s vineyard in the mountains of central Italy. She began to experience the real tastes of food that she knew from her childhood.
An Award Winning cookbook author and Celebrity Chef -her passion with food began at the early age of 4, when she would accompany ‘nonno’ (grandfather) on his early morning Saturday trips to the Italian Market in Philadelphia to pick out all the fresh ingredients for the Sunday family meal.
Years later, Maria was spotted by international artist Sergio Terzi (known as Nerone) and was asked to sit for a portrait at his studio in the Emilio-Romagna region of Italy. While sitting for this portrait, the months lingered on and Maria found herself spending more and more time at Nerone’s family farm nearby. During her time there, she studied the art of making the famed Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese. When the painting was finished, it was exhibited all throughout the world including the Metropolitan Museum of Art where the painting and the artist were honored at a special ceremony for the contributions of Italians to the World.
Today, Maria is considered one of the foremost experts on Italian Cuisine and culture,has been called the Italian ’Martha Stewart’ (Celebrity Society magazine 06/06) and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and national media features. She is frequently called upon to be spokesperson for many food and kitchen related companies to bring across their message of artisan, fresh local products to her audience. She also serves as food consultant for new products. Maria is frequently found cooking center stage at many consumer and trade show events as guest Celebrity Chef and designs corporate teambuiliding programs for Fortune 500 companies. As a professional speaker, Maria is asked to speak at many events on her success. The rest, as they say, is history. She divides her time between her office and residence in the USA and Italy where she writes her books and hosts specialty culianryadn wine programs at some of Italy’s most magnificent castles and vineyards.
Maria’s philosophy is to create recipes that simply transform the freshest ingredients without changing their essential flavors…”that is an art and cooking is an art..a basic art”. For more tips on cooking, foods, style and decorating, visit Maria’s blog where food meets art, travel and life!
Italy Beyond The Obvious – Italian Festivals
Looking for off the beaten path ideas for your Italian travels? Madeline Jhawar owns the travel planning company www.italybeyondtheobvious.com Madeline can organize a trip for the first time italian traveler to the italophile who has been more times than they can count! A recent guest on my weekly radio show La Bella Vita – we talked about planning your next italian escape around some of Italy best know festivals. To listen a podcast of the show click here http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/la-bella-vita/id443165445 or go to the La Bella Vita radio show web page www.toginet.com/shows/labellavita
Here are the links to some of the great festivals we spoke about!
Venice Carnival
http://www.carnivalofvenice.com/?lang=en
Acireale Carnival
http://www.carnevaleacireale.com/en/
Siena Palio
http://www.ilpalio.org/palioenglish.htm
Asciano Palio (donkey palio) I was able to find a link that tell the date and where it is held!
http://www.san-bernardino.it/altri_eventi-ENG.html
Here is a list of all the palios in Italy!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio
The Verona opera
http://www.arena.it/en-US/HOMEen.html
The Rome – Venice Orient express …we never got a chance to talk about this on the show but I had to share this information with you! It is my dream vacation!
http://www.orient-express.com/web/vsoe/journeys/4_121978.jsp
Arriverderchi!
Viaggio ~ Travel
Viaggio/Travel
Come take a journey with us and explore Italy’s rich history, art, food, and wine.
“Italia, non basta una vita” translation “Italy, one lifetime is not enough”
It’s true, one lifetime isn’t nearly enough to see all the beauty and intrigue that Italy beholds. Whether you are looking for an organized tour or travel concierge services we will make your Italian dream vacation come true. Imagine gliding in a gondola down the Grand Canal in Venice, exploring the sun-kissed hilltop towns of Tuscany, walking through the Roman Piazza’s that Julius Cesare himself walked, or sipping limoncello in Sorrento before heading down the stunning Amalfi Coast. Travel is an art, a love, a passion, and a philosophy. Let our specialty travel concierges take your Italian vacation to a level that is sought by many, executed by few.
Enjoy do-it-all-for-you service, fine accommodations and special experiences you can’t get on your own, like private, after-hours visits to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel – hallmarks of the best Italy tours. We prides our self on offering a unique approach to travel. We do not look at our clients collectively, but as each person unique unto themselves. We discuss your vacation style to create a custom made experience. For the seasoned traveler, we can orchestrate a bespoke trip that focuses on every aspect of the journey and what is required. Private guides with ultimate access, translators, concierge escorts, fine dining reservations, private shopping, wine tasting/tours, luxury cars and personal security can all be secured.
Those looking for the “La Bella Vita Cosmetico” travel experience-thought to be the very first of its kind by a cosmetic company. An exclusive behind the scenes look at where our wine and most product ingredients are produced. VIP tours of Fattoria La Striscia vineyard and the Montagnano farm both located in Arezzo,Tuscany.These very special excursions can be arranged by our travel concierge during your bespoke, tour or independent travels.
Fattoria Villa La Striscia, is our partner for our La Bella Vino wines. Learn the history behind the La Striscia Villa and enjoy a ” VIP Tasting Tour” which includes a visit to the vineyard, a tour of the wine cellar and a special wine tasting exclusively for La Bella Vita Cosmetico guests.You can reserve a stay in the beautiful La Striscia agriturismo in one of the six charming apartments on the property. Stroll through the beautiful gardens, take italian cooking classes as well as arranging a private romantic dinner under the tuscan stars. At Montagnano Farm, enjoy a VIP “Organico Tour” with Gabriella, the owner of Montagnano.Gabriella will explain her dedication to the animals and gardens that provide the 100% organic ingredients used in Bella Organico products. Explore parts of the 115 acre farm, the organic gardens, and interact with the farm animals who live free range on the farm property. Enjoy a sampling of honey made by the resident family of honey bees, real fruit marmalades and confitures and any other seasonal treats. All made on the Montagnano farm that will be available during your visit.
La Bella Vita Travel Concierge Tour
Journey Through Italia (14 Days – Fall 2011)
Venice, Florence & Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi Coast & Capri
This is the ultimate two-week tour of Italy. Visit the most important cities (Venice, Florence and Rome), the beautiful Tuscan countryside, the ruins at Pompeii, and the picture-perfect villages of the Amalfi Coast and Capri.Stay at memorable hotels in each city and enjoy private touring with your own full-time tour guide.
Begin in Venice. Enjoy 3 days with a private tour of favorite local neighborhoods, museums, San Marco Basillica, The Bell Tower outdoor markets and specialty shops. Also enjoy a guided cruise through the lagoon to visit the islands of Murano (famous for glass), Burano(lace) and Torcello, the earliest center of civilization in the Venetian lagoon. You’ll see the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, founded in the 7th century, and the excavated remains of the circular baptistery in the church of Santa Fosca. Your guide will ensure that you discover the best of Venice—whether you are interested in a “secret itineraries” tour of the Doge’s Palace, learning about the architectural influence of many of Venice’s buildings, shopping for high quality glass, or simply discovering hidden neighborhoods and sampling specialties at local wine bars, a Bellini at Harry’s bar perhaps?
Next, depart for Florence, stopping en route as we desire. Perhaps Parma and Modena as we taste prosciutto, parmesan and balsamic vinegar. Arrive in Florence for four nights. During a flexible private walking tour, experience Florence and it all its beauty. You might like to explore the market squares, antique districts and artisan workshops of the Oltrarno district. Tours of world-renowned museums, The Accademia ( Michelangelo’s “David”), The Uffizi (Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus”),Learn about Tuscan cuisine at specialty food shops and the wonderful Mercato Centrale. Explore the beautiful Boboli Gardens. Enjoy plenty of free time for leisurely meals and time to stroll along the river and shop for Florentine gold jewelry, handmade paper, gloves, leather, antiques and housewares.
Spend one or two days on a private excursion in Tuscany. Travel through olive groves and vineyards to explore celebrated hill towns such as Siena and San Gimignano. Repeat visitors to Tuscany may wish to visit beautiful towns of Pienza, Montalcino and Montepulciano or other enchanting towns such as Lucca, Pisa or Arezzo. Walk the medieval alleys and admire palazzi and ancient towers, during your free time browse for olive oil, wine, baskets, cheeses, olive wood, and ceramics. Taste wines at their source, listen to white-robed monks sing the haunting melodies of Gregorian chant in a Romanesque church, the day’s itinerary will be determined by your interests.
Continue on your journey to Rome as you spend three nights. Experience the very best of Roman culture, history and lifestyle. Discover ancient pagan and Christian monuments, the splendors of Baroque and Renaissance palaces and churches. Highlights include the Roman and Imperial Forums, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, Saint Peter’s Basilica, After hour tours of the Vatican museum and Sistine Chapel, Via Veneto, the morning fruit and flower market of Campo dei Fiori, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Jewish Quarter, Villa Borghese, the ruins along the Appian Way, beautiful Aventine Hill, the catacombs and “Underground Rome.” During free time in Rome, you can shop the finest designers on the Via Condotti.
Next, we take a tour of the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. En route, enjoy a guided tour of the ruins of Pompeii, reserved for centuries under volcanic lava and ash. Starting in Sorrento, where you will be able to sample locally made Limoncello.Tour along the beautiful Amalfi Coast to visit seaside villages such as picture-perfect Positano. Spend three nights at a glamorous seaside resort. One day, enjoy an excursion to the fabled isle of Capri.
Philosophy
I created this company La Bella Vita Cosmetico so every one could savor a taste of the Italian lifestyle, the lifestyle of truly living beautifully. La Bella Vita Cosmetico is my vision come to life where I am able to share a part of my heritage, my passion and experiences of my travels in Italy. I explore Italy’s rich history, art, food, and wine by providing products and goods that represent the quintessential superior quality of Italian craftsmanship. I invite you to personally experience where your products or goods came from.
So if you are up for an Italian journey, grab your passport, let’s catch a plane to Italy, and we will take you on an “La Bella Vita Cosmetico” adventure:
~ Tour the vineyards in the heart of Arezzo, Tuscany, where La Bella Vino wine is produced and where we get by-products of the wine making process for the Bella Vino line.
~ Relax in the charming accommodations of the agri-turismo, a beautifully restored fifteenth century manor nestled in the rolling hills of the vineyard.
~ Explore the organic farm where Bella Organico ingredients are harvested, when you stroll among the goats, honey bees, olive groves, lavender flowers, and other plants and animals who call it home.
~ Observe in wonder and awe when you visit the craftsmen creating our luxurious goods.
But if Italy is a little too far for you to travel, you shall not miss out. I will be sharing pictures and videos during my upcoming travels to Italy that will make you feel like you were my traveling companion standing right beside me. I invite you to join me on this Italian journey through the products of La Bella Vita Cosmetico. Authenticity, integrity, superior standards, knowledge, and impeccable guest service befitting of the most exclusive client is what awaits you when you become part of the La Bella Vita Cosmetico experience. My employees and I will treat you as though you are famigila (family). Once famiglia, always famigilia!
La Bella Vita Cosmetico's Blog 