From Skepticism to Success: How Taking a Chance Led to a Fulfilling Partnership and Exceptional Results
I was working with a successful restaurant in Yonkers, and my work with them had caught the attention of other businesses. They were reaching out to me, seeking my marketing expertise. One of those calls was from a guy named Laurence Addeo, who owned a pizza shop. At first, I wasn’t sure if working with a pizza shop was the direction I wanted to take my business. But I kept an open mind and met with Laurence to hear him out. Despite my initial hesitations, I was intrigued by his story and the potential to work with him.
It was during that meeting that I met his grandfather, who was visiting him that day and enjoying a slice of pizza. Laurence shared with me the story of how he ended up in the pizza business because of his relationship with his grandfather. This sparked my interest and I asked if I could interview his grandfather for a passion project.
Over the next few months, I checked in with Laurence’s grandfather to see if he was feeling up for the interview, but he rarely was. But one day, Laurence called me and said his grandfather was feeling better and wanted to do the interview. I quickly made it a priority and met them at the family’s bakery the following Wednesday, where I set up my camera in the back kitchen. Laurence’s grandfather told me his emotional story of baking bread with passion, sharing stories from his childhood, and expressing how much he missed baking. I captured it all on film.
Tragically, Laurence Thomas Addeo passed away soon after our interview. But I was able to preserve his memories and emotions through the footage I captured, and I put together a moving tribute video using the interview footage and photographs from throughout his life. This video was shared by the New York Post and gained widespread attention, opening many doors for me.
I realized that my initial doubts about working with Laurence were unfounded. As we continued to work together, I learned that sometimes the most unlikely opportunities can lead to great success. My experience with Laurence and his grandfather taught me the importance of trusting my instincts and taking risks, even when they may seem insignificant.