We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Talarico and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind our success is integrity. We have core values; take care of your customers, your employees and your vendors as if they are your family. We have deep relationships with our clients who have become friends. In tandem we have always given back to our community. We believe we are a stronger company when our community is strong and thriving.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Well, I never knew how much my soul needed the hospitality industry until I started working at a small restaurant during college called the dale street café. I fell in love with my co workers, the guests, the systems, the kitchen staff throwing pans! ALL OFIT! I started with being enamored by my clients, wanting to help them have a great experience. I thought i wanted to be a lawyer! At the age of 23 I became a partner with a $5000.00 buy in loan from my father. I ran the business and worked 100 hours a week , My partner held down the finance until she couldn’t. we sold the business in 1989 and we bought a business named The Picnic Basket. we paid 4,0000.00 paid over two years and literally had $300.00 each when we opened. It has been back breaking, exhilarating and scary all at the same time. Our brand is not that the customer is always right BUT that they are always the most important but so are our employees, our vendors, our suppliers. we have treated every person the same. The dishwasher is as important as our best client. Treat people with kindness, trust and support and really really listen. These have been the stepping stones of our business. None of it is ever easy but it is always an honor

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well i would take them to La baguette for lunch, we would walk around Old Colorado City, then to simple body (a store in Old co. city), then to Manitou and walk around , have a margarita at The Loop. Then downtown to terra Verde, then poor Richards book store then Lee Spirits then dinner somewhere … Dinner at Summit or Del Lago

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many people. Mary Ellen McNally, Elizabeth Youngquist, Cathy Robbins, We had many successful powerful female leaders 30 years ago that believed in us and helped us gain confidence And we both come from wonderful diverse families

Website: www.pcatering.com

Instagram: @nichellet1234

Linkedin: @michelle talarico

Twitter: michellet@pbcatering.com

Facebook: michellet@pbcatering.com

Other: @Picnicbasketcatering

Image Credits
Kathy Dreiling LeAnne Kemper

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