Today we’d like to introduce you to Hugh Carlin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been in the restaurant business for over 30 years and have been a restaurant owner for 15 years. I started with a franchised deli that I owned for eight years. I now own Carmine’s Pizza & Pasta, which I have also owned for eight years.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth ride, but I don’t think it ever is. I’ve been through break-ins, bad contractors, bad deals with franchisors, vendors, and landlords, as well as lawsuits and bankruptcy. Every problem you could think of, I’ve probably dealt with it, but I endure.
As you know, we’re big fans of Carmines Pizza & Pasta. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are Carmine’s Pizza & Pasta in Lone Tree, Colorado. We are known for our New York-style pizza, made with scratch-made dough, our special recipe pizza sauce, and hand-picked, freshly grated mozzarella cheese. We also serve pastas with sauces made to order, along with classic Italian dishes like the ones an Italian family would make in their own kitchen.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have a side project I’m working on called The Hard Things. It stems from a book I wrote and published about six months ago called *Why I Don’t Want to Win the Lottery*. It was my first book, and I was just happy I accomplished it.
It is mainly based on observations I’ve made as an entrepreneur and questions I get asked as an entrepreneur. I post content on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, and I have a newsletter called *The Hard Things Newsletter*.
It is something I’m compounding and developing while I face the daily challenges at Carmines. I also hope to publish another book that is still in development called *Your Next Hard Thing*, which is a deeper dive into my decision-making.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carminesnypizza.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carminesnypizza2019/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carminespizzaandpasta/
