Anna Zoitas, found of The Artisnal Kitchen, speaks to CommitmentNow.com!
CommitmentNow.com: You are the founder of The Artisanal Kitchen. What is The Artisanal Kitchen and what inspired you to start it?
Anna Zoitas: At its heart is the warmth and love that kitchens inspire, with care for the quality that goes into each and every ingredient. The combination of these ingredients is what is enjoyed in my Kitchen and shared with yours. What inspired me to create The Artisanal Kitchen was the lack of quality at a reasonable price that existed in the marketplace. The need to have a decent meal that can be prepared and enjoyed at home with family and friends that is healthy and natural using quality ingredients is what inspired me.
CommitmentNow.com: What are some of the products you offer and what makes them so special?
Anna: Some of the products offered by The Artisanal Kitchen are Three Olives Olive Oil, Award winning Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, Single Origin Coffees, US Farm Grown & Produced Jams, Worldly Grains, Exotic Salts and No Salt Spices. These are all items that have been carefully selected to create The Artisanal Kitchen collection. These basic ingredients can be used in a multitude of ways to create homemade meals and recipes that can be enjoyed by friends and family in your own kitchen.
CommitmentNow.com: How did you first get involved in specialty food production?
Anna: Having been involved in my families specialty food market in New York City has given me the experience and expertise to recognize quality ingredients that are necessary to prepare a healthy & tasty meal.
CommitmentNow.com: Have your found it difficult to be a woman in the upscale food industry?
Anna: I don’t think it is any more or less difficult than being a man. Having working in other industries such as technology and fashion I do find the upscale food industry to be tastier and more satisfying and unfortunately strenuous on the hips.
CommitmentNow.com: What advice do you have for women looking to start their own business?
Anna: Go for it! If you are considering starting your own business make sure it is something you have a passion for and then go for it! Join a group that will help inspire you – there are a lot of resources and support groups out there that can guide you. Get advice from people in the industry that are doing what you want to do – people are always willing to help and share their stories. You just have to find them!
Anna Zoitas is founder and CEO of Seven Deuce Inc., a specialty food product company that includes The Artisanal Kitchen and Urban Tribe brands.
She is also the COO and marketing director for her family’s Westside Market chain in New York City.
In 2009, Anna was invited to be one of the judges for the sofi Award at the prestigious Specialty Food Show in New York where she tasted 3,000 food products, judged them and selected the best from each category.
Prior to her current career with Westside Market and as CEO of Seven Deuce Inc, Anna was a partner and owner in ZOI Moda, an online women’s apparel and accessories company located in Athens, Greece. Fluent in Greek, Anna holds dual degrees from New York University, Stern School of Business, in management and organizational behavior with an emphasis on international business.
