BABE #319: AMANDA ARRIGOTTI-WHITE - Founder/CEO, Curate & Co.
Amanda is Founder and CEO of Curate & Co., a PR and social media agency with a fondness for food and drink brands. Along with her small but mighty team, she provides creative marketing and branding services ranging from social media management and video and photo production, to influencer and media relations as well as events, etc. With a firmly rooted belief in—and passion for—what the food and beverage industry has the power to do in our communities, this talented lady is elevating brands, creating meaningful content and making big moves in the food and beverage space.
The Basics:
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Current city: Boston, MA
Alma mater: Gonzaga University
Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration
Very first job: Hostess, Dream Dinners
Hustle: Founder/CEO, Curate & Co.
The Interests:
Babe you admire and why?
Kerry Diamond is a total babe! She is the editorial director of “Cherry Bombe” and host of the “Radio Cherry Bombe” podcast. Throughout her career, she has not shied away from career reinvention or a challenge. In the food and drink category, Kerry has spent the past few years creating a space to celebrate women in an industry that has historically been dominated by men. My team and I recently attended one of her events in Brooklyn and were so impressed with the warm and empowering environment she had created. It was the perfect mix of education, awareness, and celebration.
Go-to coffee order and/or adult beverage?
Triple, iced, almond milk latte with a dash of house-made vanilla syrup.
If you could have coffee with anyone in the world, who would it be?
Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
What would you eat for your very last meal?
Gluten-free Pizza from Keste on Bleeker St. in New York City.
What’s something you want to learn or master?
I am hoping to get my WSET III in the next six months. The WSET (The Wine & Spirit Education Trust), is a global education program focused on wine and spirits.
The Hustle:
Tell us about your hustle.
I am the founder and CEO of Curate & Co., a creative house and social media agency based in Jacksonville, Florida and Boston, MA. Curate & Co. offers a variety of marketing services including social media management, video and photo production, digital influencer and media relations, and event production. We specialize in the food and drink industry; many of our clients are wineries, distilleries, restaurants, and chefs. As the company has grown, I've shifted focus from creating processes to building and leading a team that is as passionate about food & drink as I am. I am thankful to have found incredibly talented, hardworking, smart people who share this vision.
What does your typical workday look like?
I wear a lot of hats (the hustle is real!). Some days I am a CEO in the morning, a lawyer writing and reviewing contracts in the afternoon, a creative director in the evening, and a janitor on the weekend. And I love it.
What inspired Curate & Co.?
I fell in love with food and drink while working at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. While there, I worked on over 10 different wine and spirit brands, so I was quickly immersed in the industry. Before this role, I had never experienced the craftsmanship, dedication, and gusto that I saw in our winemakers. Part scientist, part artist, and part farmer—these men and women are truly inspirational. My role at the winery allowed me to travel around the country and meet chefs, distillers, mixologists, and other brands who had amazing, yet undiscovered, stories—and I wanted to find a way to help tell them. I started Curate & Co. to not only tell the stories of brands and businesses that I believe in, but also to tell the stories in a way that inspires people to be curious and get involved with their food communities. I wanted to work in food and drink because it is something that reaches everyone and has the potential to change lives. There’s something magical that occurs when people go beyond the surface level and get involved in their food and drink community. The transformation that happens when people think about where their food comes from, how it gets on their plate, the people behind the process, and what happens to food waste is pure inspiration. At Curate & Co., I get to dive into each story, then share it with people across the world in ways that (I hope) encourages people to ask questions, enjoy unique products, and join their communities.
Do you have any advice for people who want to start their own business?
Creating a workplace from scratch is one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of my job. Being the CEO means I get to create a space where my team is encouraged to grow, given opportunities to develop new skills, and are inspired to create. Crafting a space where people look forward to weekdays is by far the most rewarding part of my job.
What’s been your biggest career milestone?
Hiring my first employee, Nicole Prieto, was probably the biggest milestone of my professional life. It was a symbol that Curate & Co. was growing, that I was brave enough to evolve it, and that we were on the right track. The milestones that followed would not have been possible without her!
How has being a woman affected your professional experience?
It seems that in every industry I’ve worked in, there is always some version of a “boys’ club,” food and drink being no exception. Sometimes it was Friday golf, other times it was poker nights the women never seemed to get an invite to. These activities allowed men in power to create strong relationships with one another, get to know each other personally, and (perhaps, on occasion, unintentionally) provide opportunities to male coworkers that were not available to women. For the norm to change, men need to be aware of these phenomenons in the workplace and be motivated to create change. Women need to take a stand for other women and lift one another up when they are in positions of power. As a female business owner, I feel empowered and responsible to create something that fosters female leadership, highlights the stories of women in my industry, and creates a space of equality.
What’s the gender ratio like in your industry? Do you see it evolving?
Chefs, distillers, brewers, and winemakers alike have been (and are) predominantly male. My industry has incredible female talent, but they just don’t get the funding, investors, or press features of many of their male counterparts. In this business, equitable access to funding is critical. Without it, women don’t have the same opportunities to unleash the creative talent that brings awards, patrons, prestige, and press. Slowly, our industry is waking up to this cycle, and Curate & Co. will continue to beat this drum, seeking to promote female food and drink creators wherever we can.
Are you involved with any other side projects?
I serve on the board of directors for Slow Food First Coast, a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening the connection between local food, strong farms, and healthy communities.
Who are some women in your field that you look to for inspiration?
Chef Stephanie Izard, Ellen Marie Bennett, Jaclyn Johnson, Kerry Diamond, Marissa Ross, Victoria James, Chel (of Chel Loves Wine), and Hillary Kerr.
Career and/or life advice for other babes?
You don’t need to be perfect to start something! Curate & Co. existed in my spare bedroom well before we had an office, a client roster, and employees.
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