#04 Business Spotlight — Sandy Delli Carpini of Seasons Corner Market: The Family Story Behind a Rhode Island Brand

"You're not gonna win the race. You've already won. You showed up." Those were the words Sandy Delli Carpini's father said to her at the starting line of her first 5K — and they've shaped everything she's done since.This week on the So New England Podcast Business Spotlight Series, Ian Brownhill sits down with Sandra "Sandy" Delli Carpini, the woman behind Seasons Corner Market — a Rhode Island-based gas station and convenience store chain with 80 locations across New England. Sandy shares the deeply personal story of her father, who came to America from Italy at age 12 (after being left in Italy as a toddler), became a mechanic in the Army, and opened his first gas station on Angel Street near Brown University. From those origins, Sandy and her family built one of New England's most recognizable convenience store brands.In this episode, we cover:The family origin story and the Italian-Rhode Island connectionWhy she launched the Corner Market Cafe (and how her father's daily 9 AM coffee ritual inspired it)The mom insight that made drive-thrus essential to the brandThe story behind Sunny the mascot (a squeezy toy, an uncle's nickname, and a grandfather's nickname)The Angels Giving Back Foundation honoring her late parentsHow her cashiers stayed in their stores for 48 hours during the historic 54-inch snowstormWhy she considers convenience store workers frontline workersWhy Southern gas station executives "back off" when they meet herHer Italian-American Yankees fan confession (sorry, Patriots — wait, she's still a Pats fan too) Her favorite season in New England (fall, obviously)What her perfect New England day looks likeYou can find Sandy on LinkedIn as Sandra Delli Carpini, and follow Seasons Corner Market at seasonscorner.com or on Instagram @SeasonsCornerMarket.Join Sandy at the Angels Giving Back 5K on June 6th at Citizens Bank in Johnston, Rhode Island. Sign up at angelsgivingback.com. The foundation supports the Alzheimer's Society, the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, and the Tomorrow Fund.Follow the So New England Podcast for new episodes every week. Don't forget — life's better in New England!