Michael, Buddy, and Mark LaRosa (left to right) will talk about how they grew the LaRosa's empire in a special event at UC Blue Ash.
Buddy LaRosa, the founder and chairman emeritus of LaRosa’s Pizza, and his sons Mark and Michael are the featured guests for the next UC Blue Ash College Entrepreneur Speaker Series. It will be held on March 4 from 7-8 p.m. in Muntz Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
The UC Blue Ash College Entrepreneur Speaker Series features successful entrepreneurs from the region each semester on the UC Blue Ash campus. The guests are interviewed by Kent Lutz, assistant professor of business/economics at UC Blue Ash, while also taking questions from the audience. The series was launched last fall with Jeff Wyler, chairman and CEO of the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family.
“Being an entrepreneur is a mindset, it’s about taking an idea or a vision and building on it,” said Professor Lutz. “We want to hear from these very successful entrepreneurs about what drives them to succeed and how they keep their focus in the face of the challenges and obstacles that are bound to develop.”
At the March 4 event, Buddy LaRosa will talk about how he started his first pizzeria on the West Side in 1954 – against the advice of his father – and how he was able to grow that one small location into a regional empire with 63 restaurants and a name that is synonymous with great pizza. Mark LaRosa, president and chief culinary officer, and Michael LaRosa, chief executive officer, will share insight on innovations that have supported that growth and that help drive plans for further expansion.
Along with the interactive discussion, the event will be immediately followed by a reception when audience members can meet the featured guests and enjoy free LaRosa’s pizza.
To register for this free presentation, or to learn more about the UC Blue Ash College Entrepreneur Speaker Series, go to www.ucblueash.edu/ess.