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A Kelowna entrepreneur took top spot at a local investors' forum for his unique idea and smart business decisions.
Donnie Ungaro was rewarded with the grand prize of $5,000 at Venture Okanagan after he successfully presenting his business, Culinary Ink, to more than 90 spectators and business leaders.
“The win couldn’t have come at a better time,” shared Ungaro. “I recently decided to commit my time completely to the launch and growth of this business. It’s a validation of my decisions and of the company’s potential.”
Donnie Ungaro (Photo Credit: Contributed/Pinstripe Productions)
The event took place at Okanagan College, which is where Ungaro also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2003. Initially, Ungaro started a thriving career in insurance, but the tragic loss of his father in 2006 led him to self-reflect on pursuing a career he was passionate about, not just a job that paid well. He gained some training in culinary school, apprenticed with top chefs, including Chef Rod Butters of Kelowna’s RauDZ Regional Table, and started building the concept.
“It goes beyond the tangible degree; it’s the people you meet that are the greatest value. You maybe don’t realize this as a student, but I can attest that the community at the College was instrumental in bringing Culinary Ink to life,” noted Ungaro.
One of the Culinary Ink food bikes (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
Ungaro calls the Venture Okanagan prize a nice buffer to help launch his company. He has already appropriated the funds, and that include having booked a booth at the upcoming Canadian College and University Food Services Association trade show to be held in June in Kelowna.
Culinary Ink launches this month, and beginning April 25 two food bikes located at the College’s Kelowna campus will serve up dishes including taco al pastor, served in a “taco cone” made of naan, and chipotle mac ‘n’ cheese with pulled pork. Ungaro says they are dishes you can feel good about eating since 10 per cent of all sales will be donated to support three local charities: the Kelowna Food Bank, Metro Community and Soles4Souls.
To the budding entrepreneurs for which the Okanagan is quickly becoming known for, Ungaro shares his advice: “passion, education, experience and purpose. The success is in putting your heart into it.”
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