The Perfect Recipe: Italian Roots, Startup Grit, and Giving a Sh*t with John Mentesana

In this heartfelt conversation, Jen interviews her husband, John Mentesana, about the Italian family roots that shaped his love of food, his 25-year career in broadcast sales, and the leap into entrepreneurship that led to Locale 90. John shares the early wins, the hard pivots—closing a second location, surviving COVID by launching make-at-home pizza kits—and the evolution into Bar-izza, their clean-ingredient par-baked pizza line. Along the way, he offers practical advice on writing a business plan, iterating in real time, staying “Be Local, Be Authentic,” and leading with “GAS”—give a sh*t. The episode closes on legacy: being remembered as a great husband and father.Follow John and Locale90:Instagram:@johnnymente@locale90Facebook:John MentesanaLocale90 Neapolitan Pizza MarketLinkedIn:John MentesanaLocale90 Neapolitan Pizza Market