Today we’d like to introduce you to Nick Pesola
Hi Nick, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Nick Pesola has demonstrated a consistent track record of success. When he was 25 years old, he started his first business, launching Revolution Rotisserie as a pop-up tent at Findlay Market. Over the years, he organically grew the fledgling restaurant business into an established hospitality group with 3 distinct concepts and 1 food hall located in 3 neighborhoods and 2 states. Nick has put in place administrative and corporate infrastructure in order to create a sustainable business model poised for future growth.
In addition to running Pesola Hospitality Group as the CEO, this year Nick branched out into another industry and has become a business broker as well as a commercial real estate advisor with 3CRE. As a specialist in small business, Nick’s strong reputation and firsthand experience as an entrepreneur compliments his new line of work. Nick creates value by connecting buyers and sellers, landlords and tenants, all of which helps support a prosperous economic ecosystem in the Greater Cincinnati area and beyond.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There is nothing smooth about being an entrepreneur, especially in the restaurant business. I started the business with no chef experience or business experience, I was only an Assistant General Manager with a dream and determination to make it happen. I didn’t have money to start a restaurant so I started a pop up tent at Findlay Market which I could afford at the time. I leveraged that success to bootstrap the first brick and mortar. I worked 80+ hours for 6 months. I brought on a business partner, then bought out that business partner 1 year later. I opened a 2nd location of Revolution Rotisserie in 2018. Covid happened in March 2020. We completely changed our business models. Eventually I decided to close the 1st location of Revolution Rotisserie and turn it into Milkman. Building a great team, creating systems, trying to compete with those who have more money and more experience, the list goes on. Opening up new concepts is always a lot of work and comes with a lot of adversity to overcome.
As you know, we’re big fans of Pesola Hospitality Group. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Revolution Rotisserie Awards & Recognition
Best of Cincinnati Awards, CityBeat (2024)
#5 Best Chicken
Best of Cincinnati Awards, CityBeat (2023)
#10 Best Takeout
#5 Best Chicken
#5 Best Chicken Sandwich
Best of Cincinnati Awards, CityBeat (2019)
#7 Best New Restaurant, Pleasant Ridge Location
Taste of Cincinnati, #1 Best Appetizer (2019)
Best of Cincinnati Awards, CityBeat (2016)
#5 Best New Restaurant, OTR Location
#3 Best Chicken
Milkman Awards & Recognition
Best of Cincinnati Awards, CityBeat (2024)
#3 Best Neighborhood Burger Spot (Downtown/OTR)
#8 Best Overall Burgers (Non-Chain)
Best of Cincinnati Awards, CityBeat (2023)
#3 Best New Restaurant
Amador Awards & Recognition
Best of Cincinnati Awards, CityBeat (2024)
#6 Best New Restaurant
#7 Best Waterfront Dining
Best Full Service Cuban Restaurant
Cincinnati Magazine Article (January 2024)
Best Waterfront Restaurants in Cincinnati, OpenTable (2024)
Score Client of the Year (2021)
SCORE is a nonprofit organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Thanks to this generous support from the SBA and the selfless contributions of our more than 10,000 dedicated volunteers, they provide mentorship at no cost.
Nick won the prestigious award for the Score 2020 Client of the Year, recognizing his ability to lead his team through the pandemic, overcome unprecedented challenges and grow his business while supporting the communities he serves.
How do you think about luck?
I only believe in good luck because I know from firsthand experience that you make your own luck in life as well as business. I work really hard and have good intentions and as a result opportunities tend to flow my way. When bad things happen, I try not to dwell on them and focus on things within my control. This mentality helps me keep going when things get tough and look forward to a brighter future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pesolahospitality.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkmanotr/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086117606844
