Real Local RVA’s July 2019 Meeting

“Building a Successful Workplace”

with Steve Rosser of Gelati Celesti

Sponsored by Riddle Design Co.

We ate ice cream before lunch.  Yes it was delicious, and no we don’t regret it!  We were honored to have Steve Rosser from Gelati Celesti share his wisdom with us at our July meeting.  Steve purchased the single store company in 2010 and since that time has expanded the company from an employee base of 9 to over 120 full and part time employees. Gelati Celesti currently has 6 retail stores; 5 in Richmond and a recently opened store in Virginia Beach. Each store sells anywhere from about 500 to 800 servings of ice cream a day in the summer!  Wow!  Additionally, the company operates a food truck often seen at local festivals and events and sells to many of Richmond’s best restaurants.

With a background in business, Steve shared with us his original plan to buy the business and sell it again two years later.  But plans changed for him once he invested his heart into the company. He fell in love with the work he was doing every day and the people he was working with.  He grew the business slowly, managed profits well, and stayed true to their roots of single batch ice cream production.

Steve spent most of the time complimenting his employees and talking about how they are the key to the company’s success.  Gelati Celesti has a thorough interview process (that even involves writing an essay!) and are always looking for the best individuals who will compliment their company culture.  He discussed some of the challenges to having so many part-time employees and their strategies for employee retention.  They are up front with their expectations to potential employees, and emphasize gratitude as a BIG component of their work-day activities.

There were so many takeaways from Steve’s talk, applicable to business, life and relationships and we’re appreciative of his time and insight.  Gelati Celesti has certainly built an ice cream empire loved by the community.

Thanks to St. Stephen’s Church for the coffee and for hosting us, and to Riddle Design Co. for sponsoring the meeting.  Who’s ready for some ice cream?!

Next month we will be back at St. Stephen’s with a LIVE podcast recording with Eat it, Virginia and Virginia Foodie.  More details HERE.