As a model, DJ, and actress, Caroline D’Amore has truly done it all. You may recognize her from The Hills, or her countless magazine covers from the checkout aisle. But, above all else, Caroline is the Pizza Girl — a doting Mom who makes incredible organic sauces for health-conscious parents everywhere.
The red carpet lifestyle had its perks, but Caroline found her true calling in the kitchen. From decadent Vodka Sauce to spicy Arrabbiata, every sauce is 100% organic and ready to elevate your dinner in no time.
Recently, we caught up with Caroline to learn more about her journey and hear her advice for fellow entrepreneurs.
01 Why did you start Pizza Girl?
I was pregnant and in need of easy, healthy meals for my growing family (and belly!). There was a major gap in the market for health- and earth-conscious millennial moms such as myself. I wanted sauces that were organic, delicious, and kettle-cooked. The tastiest sauces on the shelves were not organic and didn’t use the kind of ingredients I cooked with at home.
Pizza Girl is made by a hardworking millennial mom for hardworking millennial moms. We’re all about quick, easy meals that you can feel good about serving to your family.
02 What obstacles did you face along the way?
When the pandemic hit, our entire inventory sold out in just two days. You’d think that would be a good thing, but I couldn’t source the ingredients I needed to make more pasta sauce. I was told that the “big guys” bought up all the organic supply, so little companies like us were out of luck.
I was devastated. I had to tell all of my retailers that there wouldn’t be any Pizza Girl sauce for a while. But, I also maintained relationships with them and promised I’d be back. I’m proud to say we kept that promise and used the downtime to restructure and plan ahead. Now, we’re stronger than ever — no supply shortage is going to stop us from fulfilling our orders.
There were days where I thought about giving up, but I kept pressing forward. Now, we’re back in Bristol Farms and I couldn’t be happier!
03 What lessons do you have for other entrepreneurs?
Talk less and listen more. It took me a while to figure that one out because I was so eager to prove my knowledge to others. Instead, it’s best to hear what people have to say so that you can give a well-informed response.
Also, be mindful of the bottom line. Will your fun idea drive enough sales to justify the cost? Entrepreneurs often get wrapped up in the showy aspects of their brand. Appearance is important, of course, but there are only so many hours in the day and time is money. Always ask yourself — is this really worth your time today?
04 What’s on the horizon for Pizza Girl?
Now that we’ve established a strong customer base and a cultish following for our three sauces, we’re excited to expand our line even further. Still, we’re going to take our time to ensure that every new product meets our standards.
Our next “secret sauce” is coming soon and we can’t wait to share it with everyone. Meanwhile, we’re soliciting feedback and recipes from all of our home chefs — we love all the great ideas for what Pizza Girl should make next!
05 How do you keep work/life balance? What drives/inspires you?
I’m still working on balance but I’m getting better at it every day. Time management is key, so I jot everything down on my work calendar, make to-do lists, and set reminders constantly.
As a single mother I often have to bring my daughter with me to demos, food shows, and photoshoots. Still, I make the experience as fun as possible for her. It’s also a great opportunity to show her the value of hard work — you can achieve anything when you put your whole heart into it! She inspires me to be the best Pizza Girl possible.
- Tags