Anyone living in the Federal Capital has surely heard of Pizzaria Dom Bosco and its famous mozzarella and tomato sauce pizza. Considered one of the main symbols of Brasilia's gastronomy, the pizzeria has been in Brasília for over 50 years.
In episode #26 of Empreenda BSB, the founder of Pizzaria Dom Bosco, Enildo Veríssimo, tells a bit about the history of the pizzeria and shares how his business began.
Enildo arrived in the capital with the same dream as many other settlers: to make money. Brasília, at the time, was known as "Eldorado," because people believed that the city would be an excellent opportunity to start projects or find new jobs, says the businessman.
In his conversation with Veríssimo, the businessman recounts that when he arrived in the city, there was only one pizzeria with the traditional format of tables and chairs. Therefore, Enildo saw an opportunity to offer a different service to the workers who were building Brasília at that time. With the need for quick and convenient food, the businessman began offering pizza slices instead of whole pizzas served at tables, as was customary. Enildo's idea was that people would order a slice of pizza at the counter and eat standing up, making mealtimes faster for the workers. This also led to the creation of the pizzeria's flagship item, the "double pizza," which is simply two slices of pizza on top of each other, making it easier for customers to eat.
Although pizza slices are the main item sold at Pizzaria Dom Bosco, Enildo offers other options on his menu, such as savory snacks, sweets, and juices, which are quite popular and requested by customers.
Throughout the interview, Veríssimo emphasized that the biggest differentiator of his business, and of all others, is the quality of everything offered. In the case of Pizzaria Dom Bosco, the owner guarantees that he always uses the best ingredients to ensure the quality of his products.
From micro to reference
The owner of Pizzaria Dom Bosco was honored in the documentary "Brasília and its Pioneers," highlighting prominent figures in Brasília's entrepreneurship who are now recognized as pioneers in benchmark businesses. Never imagining that his small business would become a symbol in the city's history, Pizzaria Dom Bosco now has 5 locations spread throughout the Federal District.
All of their units started in regions that didn't have much traffic, and this choice was always intentional. Enildo says he believes that when a region expands, the businesses located there end up expanding along with it.
The biggest difficulties along the way
Enildo has no shortage of stories of overcoming adversity throughout his entrepreneurial journey. One of his greatest triumphs was the financial crisis he faced in 1971. His business was still in its early stages and not very profitable, but with the help of friends who believed in his potential and some other investments, he managed to overcome that difficult period. Veríssimo believes that no entrepreneur achieves success alone and, therefore, is always very grateful for the trust and encouragement of close friends.
Currently, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pizzaria Dom Bosco has had to adapt. Therefore, for the first time, they are present on delivery apps and have further diversified their menu, offering pizzas in various sizes and not just by the slice.
Next Steps
Later this year, Pizzaria Dom Bosco will open a new location. This time, it will be situated at Juscelino Kubitscheck Airport, serving as a gateway to the city. Everyone arriving in Brasília will have the opportunity to experience one of the most traditional pizzerias in the Federal Capital.
Tips for those who want to start a business.
Enildo believes that people who want to start a business need a lot of dedication and, more than that, they really need to enjoy what they do.
The owner of Pizzaria Dom Bosco believes that studying their business area and management is essential in the world of entrepreneurship. All of his employees are encouraged to take professional development courses.
"Anyone who wants to start a business should study and take courses. Don't just do it because you have money to invest, because it won't work," comments Enildo Veríssimo.
Enildo believes that with advanced technology, it is extremely necessary to improve oneself and stay updated on changes in order to keep up with the market.
Another point highlighted by the businessman is the importance of knowing how to carry out all the activities of his business and not leave this concentrated in just one person, since problems can happen every day, such as the absence of an employee, for example, and, with a holistic understanding of the business, it becomes easier to resolve any unforeseen events.
To listen to the full episode of the Empreenda BSB podcast, click here. here Or access the main podcast platforms.
