Eat, Pray, Loving Bella Cucina!
I have a new girl/business/artist crush. I was in Virginia Highlands this morning for an (Eat, Pray, Love-themed) Ladies Who Launch event held at Bella Cucina Artful Food that featured a wonderful conversation between LWL Market Director, Angela Stalcup and Bella Cucina creator, Alisa Barry.
Alisa openly shared interesting and colorful stories from her personal and business journey – served up with a side of lessons learned along the way. In addition to her super cute outfit, she was warm and candid, and a simply lovely person. I felt like I knew what she would say before the words were spoken. Though, my own story is completely different, many of the same influences and principles are at work.
I loved the fact that you could feel her creative spirit not only throughout the store (filled with beautifully packaged yummy goodness like I’ve shown above), but also through her entire staff. They prepared a wonderful tasting spread and cared for everyone in an attentive and gracious manor. As I wandered through the little store, admiring the items and packaging (I am a designer after all), I kept thinking things like “Oh, my friend Judy would like that lemon spread!” and “My mom would love that basil pesto!” and “That cute pesto trio would be a perfect housewarming gift!”
So, of course I left with a bag-full-o-goodies including their famed Artichoke Lemon Pesto, Sun-dried Tomato & Basil Spread, Death by Chocolate Cookies, and an assortment of chocolates. I can feel some moments to be savored coming on!
Subscribe to my RSS Feed
You really captured the feeling of Alisa and Bella Cucina. There was something transformational about the space itself. It was a true pleasure to be there.
Kristen,
It was such a pleasure hosting this event and interacting with these inspiring women. THanks for your lovely post!
alisa
I couldn’t agree more. I was spoiled the rest of the day because nothing I had to eat at home was appealing after spending my morning shopping and eating at Bella Cucina. Oh yeah…and I want Alisa’s sweater.
Now I REALLY hate that I missed it! I will HAVE to go by Bella Cucina one day soon!
Bernice
I, too, was moved by Alisa’s beautiful presence and spirit, and loved the restoring energy of the place!
As a fairly new employee of Bella Cucina, I have learned about the backgrounds of Alisa and also Smith in my training. I could see the value of this knowledge, simply because their life stories are powerful foundations for the integrity of the business and the quality of the product that they lovingly create and share with their retail and wholesale customers. I am a past business owner myself and I could easily see the value of knowing the story as a member of their staff.
Still, I have to say that every time I am able to hear Alisa speak about her passion for leading a healthy and successful life and the path the she has taken and the more I experience both of their true generosity of spirit, the more I open up to my own possibilities of future.
I loved the group of women I met at the “Ladies Who Launch” meeting and got a lot out of the event, even as a spectator. What a fantastic, positive and worthwhile organization you seem to have developed! I’d love to learn more about you.
Thanks for choosing Bella Cucina for your event. Let’s make it an Annual gathering!
Kim Perdue