Portrait of a Businesswoman: Amber Faulisi
I requested a Zoom meeting to keep things as safe as possible. “Yeah I can do that,” Amber said, “I’ve only done it twice before, but I think I can get it set up.” Everything about this interaction--the refreshing, astounding fact that she has only ever had a couple of Zoom meetings, along with her willingness to make it happen--exudes who Amber Faulisi is and how she has been able to thrive as a mother and small restaurant owner during a year of pandemic. Simplicity, good cheer, adaptability, and good old fashioned grit.
Before the pandemic, Amber’s days had a smooth, predictable rhythm: drop Dom (her 5 year-old son) off at preschool, get things set up at the Pizzeria Faulisi, pick him up at 12:30, return to the restaurant to oversee operations and service, and go home early. Since closing down indoor dining in March 2020, Amber has had to take on virtually every role in the restaurant--from line-cook to dishwasher--while overseeing virtual kindergarten for Dom. While Amber is at the pizzeria, her husband Zach Faulisi runs Big Dom’s Bagel Shop a few doors down. Once it closes, he takes Dom home and Amber continues to run the restaurant. “For me, knowing you have to keep pushing harder and stay in it all day [has allowed me to adapt.] The hardest thing has been balancing everything. Somehow I’ve done it, but I honestly don’t know how.” For Amber it has never been a question of if or how she would cope, even thrive; she simply resolves to do so.
The lack of nearby family and adherence to social distancing guidelines mean that Amber must largely shoulder the weight of keeping Pizzeria Faulisi afloat and caring for Dom during the day. She doesn’t see it as a cursed lot, though. On the contrary, Amber allows this now-heavier load to act as a growth edge. “When you just have yourself to rely on you have to learn how to be strong and independent.”
While Amber’s daily balancing act of work and parenting is extraordinary, it is by no means exceptional in these times. Women everywhere disproportionately bear the weight of pandemic-imposed lifestyle changes and responsibilities. Knowing she is not alone helps Amber keep such a positive outlook. “Never give up. Just keep pushing. At some point it won’t be so hard.”
It strikes me how much outlook determines outcome. Amber could just as likely (and rightfully) bemoan her long hours and heavy personal and professional loads. Instead she forges on with optimism, humor and hope. Seeing this so clearly in Amber, it is not surprising that despite all odds Pizzeria Faulisi has survived a year of quarantine. I would suspect that her positivity is the force behind the enduring community that surrounds the restaurant. “[the greatest gift] is having our regulars, who we had connections with in the dining room, still show up every week. We’ve always wanted to be a community restaurant and we got it.” Kindness, she insists, goes a long way.
Looking at the year ahead, Amber has hopes of returning to some semblance of normal, where her son can see his classmates and grandparents in person, and where Pizzeria Faulisi’s beloved regulars can again enjoy their meals in the restaurant’s cozy dining room. As she works to recoup lost revenue and create new avenues for business growth, Amber holds fast to the straightforward yet profound tenants that have kept Pizzeria Faulisi, and her, together: keeping it simple, kindness, teamwork, and remaining true to self.
This Women’s History Month story share is brought to you by PWI team member Amy Hallett.
