The Pizza Dude: Conclusion

Over the past few years, working for Canadian Pizza
Magazine has been a great experience for me both as a pizzaiolo and a
columnist.

Over the past few years, working for Canadian Pizza Magazine has been a great experience for me both as a pizzaiolo and a columnist. I have had the pleasure of meeting wonderful people within the industry and I have also had an even greater pleasure to speak with and meet some of my fellow pizzaiolos from across the country.

I have also had the pleasure of writing about just about everything there is to write about in the pizzeria. I have been
allowed to speak my mind, settle differences and help a lot of you with certain key issues that pertain to the pizzeria. I cannot thank my editor, Cam Wood, enough for allowing me to speak my mind in my columns. He has been a great supporter and a good friend.

I would especially like to thank the man who started it all for me, Drew McCarthy.  Drew was an inspiration, and most of all another great friend who truly believed in me. Thanks Drew.

Unfortunately, this will be my final column for Canadian Pizza, as I am expanding my horizons as a businessman and a writer. I will still be plugging away in my pizzeria where I have accomplished many ambitions and ideas. Both were full of wonderful experiences and some downfalls – but the downfalls are what made me stronger because I didn’t give up.

I would like to leave all my readers with some words of wisdom and I hope all of you will accomplish everything you set out to do. We work in order to provide for our families and ourselves. Money is not everything in this world as it can only buy you so much. There are some things that not even all the money in the world will buy you.

Whatever you do for work: be it pizza, real estate or just plain working for some company, make sure you enjoy what you do. The worst thing in life is to wake up every morning to a job you hate.  Everyone’s first priority should be their family. No question about it, without your family there really is no you. Take care of your spouse and your children, spend time with them, make time for them, they are definitely worth it.  Take time for yourself and do something that makes you feel good about yourself.

Most importantly, live. Life is too short, so enjoy the fruits of your labour and take the time to smell the roses.

You may not always win the battles you face, but learn from them. Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t do this or you can’t do that. You do whatever it is that makes you feel that sense of accomplishment. In the end it is a great feeling. We, as business owners, will always have problems. It comes with the territory, but it’s how you solve the problem that counts.

In closing, I would especially like to thank all of my readers for inspiring me to do my best every day. I will continue to do my best, not only for me, but also for my family and friends. I was born a leader and I will die a leader. Thank you all. My phone and e-mail will always be open for you. I’ll always be, The Pizza Dude. See you all again, trust me, you will.

Roberto Vergalito, The Pizza Dude
Roberto@robertospizza.ca