Export Through a Gender Lens Story Series: Working with Women Internationally
Pina Romolo’s almond-based food manufacturing company, Piccola Cucina, is a 100 per cent certified woman-owned business based in Winnipeg, MB founded by mother and daughter.
As we are a women-owned business, we prioritize employing women. I am proud to say that our team is currently made up of all women. We also try to use women-owned businesses when possible because it is important to support each other. Our service providers and transportation carriers are women-owned. We work with Cargo Partners International Inc. out of Mississauga, Ontario, and our packing supplier is a minority-owned business.
The benefit of working with women-owned businesses is the alignment of our companies’ goals and the strong relationships we develop. Women-owned businesses typically serve a community consisting of their own families and those of their employees.
Piccola Cucina’s prime target for export is the United States because of its location, language, and opportunity. Most of their exporting is done online through their website.
“The COVID-19 pandemic was a driving force for our e-commerce presence,” says Romolo. “We launched on Amazon.ca and are expecting to penetrate more online marketplaces including Walmart.ca.”
The company is looking to sell with companies that have a strong web presence and customer base.