Liz Dnieper-Bolton is President and Founding Partner of Pantry, a fine-food and takeout gourmet grocery in Toronto’s west end. Shelves are stocked with delicious ingredients, Cookstown Greens, gourmet delights, and amazing prepared meals made from fresh and local ingredients that will save the day when throwing together an on the spot dinner party. Pantry also offers catering, in-store private dining (best birthday alternative ever!), and clever and eco-friendly gift baskets. Whether stocking your fridge or hunting for treasures, Pantry is a foodie haven.

974 College St. (just west of Dovercourt)
www.pantry.to

What does a typical Thursday look like for you, starting from when you wake up – to heading to bed?

I typically get up between 5 and 6 am, whenever one of my sons decides to call for me; I spend a good 30 minutes to an hour cuddling both kids in bed. This time spent cuddling is more important than breakfast or matching socks for school: they can eat apples and muffins in the car and they don’t have to coordinate cltj

After school and daycare drop-offs I do the banking for the business and run any errands like stocking new supplies before I come to the shop for a briefing with the chef. I review my meetings for the day and review the day with the staff, which includes asking them how they are each day and If they have any suggestions for more efficient systems.

Spend a few hours answering emails about upcoming weddings and events and coordinating staff, rentals and menus while I build quotes and packages for the new clients rolling in.

Site inspections at various locations with potential clients and promise to have quotes in within a day or two. Immediately after I regret these promises but manage to get them done somehow.

Take care of inventory, deal with new suppliers, and source new and interesting products for the store and for events. Work on menu development for upcoming events with the Exec Chef, try to guess what will be in season for the fall when I’m quoting an event in the spring.

Miss my kids.
Share a laugh with my husband.
Speak to customers, see what they want to see in the store and make a list of ideas to use for future initiatives.
Manage chaos.
Manage more chaos.
Pick up kids late.
Listen to kids fight, scream, or laugh joyously on way home.
Spend 7-9 pm convincing children sleep is good.

Some nights, will watch an episode of The Wire, but most nights, continue quoting events and working with clients on creating menus for parties, gift packages, and sourcing really interesting, sustainable, products for the shop.

What was your first job out of school?

My first job out of school (university) was as a receptionist at a pharmaceutical company. After 5 or 6 years I had been promoted to a regional sales rep and special consultant for new drug development with the FDA. I was in over my head, but I managed to make people think I knew what I was doing. As long as they didn’t ask for my opinion.

What are the 3 skills you require most to do your job well?

Empathy, ability to calculate numbers quickly mentally, and to be one step ahead, all the time.

What do you love most about your career?

I know I make a difference in people’s lives; they’re counting on me to make the right decisions, and when I get it right, it’s very satisfying to see how happy they and their families are. Exceeding expectations, and making even the smallest party or gift box flawless and intimate.

Do you have any warnings?

Never make a promise you can’t keep. Don’t tell someone it will work out if you haven’t thought it through. If you’ve made a mistake, own it, and try to correct it, If you make a change, always seek client approval. Always bring a tape measure with you.

And most importantly: the two cardinal rules in starting your own business: don’t do your own branding, and have operating capital. You won’t make money the day the door opens, so you need that money to build the business until you do make money. Almost all businesses that go under, go under not because they weren’t good ideas, they do so because they can’t afford to stay in business long enough to succeed.

If you could try a different career on for a year, what would it be?

I’d work in the sciences. But I’m not qualified, so I’d have another baby.