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Associated Press
3 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
La Fenice Pizza: How Two Founders Turned a Pandemic Idea Into a Pizza Powerhouse
Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library By Mark McCaffrey, Chief Financial Officer for GoDaddy At GoDaddy, few things inspire us more than learning directly from the entrepreneurs we are here to support. I had the chance to meet with Leo Lopez and Lamont Chapell, the San Jose-based founders and owners of the mobile catering company, La Fenice Pizza. Leo and Lamont brought one of their mobile pizza ovens to our Santa Clara, California office and served up fresh, wood-fired pies to GoDaddy employees while they shared the story behind their business. The story of La Fenice Pizza began during the pandemic — Leo and Lamont were working at a pizzeria when they realized, 'We could do this ourselves.' So, they invested in a professional oven — a big purchase that marked the point of no return — and started hosting pop-up events at wineries and breweries in the Bay Area. Named after the Italian theater La Fenice, a symbol of resilience, La Fenice Pizza embodies perseverance and creativity. Their journey did not begin with an overnight success — Leo shared how they sold only two pizzas at their first pop-up event. Trusting in themselves to build something meaningful was the scariest and most exciting part of the process. Fast forward five years, La Fenice Pizza has grown into a thriving business specializing in private event catering. Every year brought new growth, loyal staff members and strong community ties (where they are known locally as 'the pizza guys'). Between bites of pizza, we talked about the realities of running a mobile business and the tools that keep them moving. One such tool included GoDaddy Conversations, which makes it easy for them to keep up with customer messages from various channels while they are on the go. For Leo and Lamont, entrepreneurship has meant more than just business success — it's about ownership, freedom and making their families proud. They are excited to expand the business and have a goal to open a brick-and-mortar location this year, adding a physical home base to complement their mobile operation. I love meeting customers like Leo and Lamont. Conversations like these give us such valuable insight into life as an entrepreneur — the courage to get started, the determination to keep going, and, importantly, the ways we can support with tools and guidance at every stage. These two entrepreneurs embody the grit and drive we so often recognize in the small business owners we are proud to support. We can't wait to follow what's next for La Fenice Pizza. To every entrepreneur chasing their dream: keep trusting yourself, building and know that every great leap starts with a little faith (and maybe even some delicious wood-fired pizza). Cheers, Mark Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from GoDaddy
Associated Press
15-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
The Power of Human Connection: Meet Aleksandra Vojnović
Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to join GoDaddy. I hold a Master's degree in Information Technology. Shortly after graduating, I learned from a friend about an opportunity at GoDaddy that matched my skill set. Although it initially felt daunting to start my career at such a large company, I decided to take the leap. I'm immensely grateful that I did. I can truly say that starting my professional journey at GoDaddy feels like a dream come true. I never imagined I would find such a welcoming environment, with amazing colleagues and a workplace culture that genuinely supports growth and positivity. I am deeply thankful. At GoDaddy, I work with customers who need assistance with their WordPress websites, resolving issues, improving their sites, and finding the right solutions and products to meet their needs. I believe that the 'human touch' is the most important part of our work; truly listening to each customer, understanding the heart of their stories and businesses, and building strong, genuine connections. It's this commitment that helps us not only provide excellent service but also build lasting relationships with our customers. I'm grateful that my role is both dynamic and challenging, allowing me to constantly learn and improve. It gives me the opportunity to put my lifelong passion and dedication into practice, to embrace my perfectionism in a healthy way, and to give my best effort to every task before of work, I enjoy painting with oil on canvas and spending quality time with my family, which is incredibly important to me. They are my greatest source of inspiration and balance in life. In what ways does your work contribute to the success of our everyday entrepreneurs? Since I work directly with customers, I have the opportunity to make a real impact through every interaction. I help our customers get their websites back on track whenever issues arise, responding quickly and efficiently. It's important that our customers always feel supported. My role is to not only identify the root cause of any problem but also to find the best possible solution, whether it's a product, a service, or a recommendation that truly meets their specific needs. By leveraging my deep knowledge of our offerings, I can guide them toward the right choices that help elevate their business to a higher, more professional level. Every entrepreneur faces challenges, technical issues, questions about which hosting plan to choose, or uncertainty about which services will best support their growth. I am here to remove those obstacles, clear up confusion, and help ensure their businesses stay strong and competitive. In an industry full of choices, my goal is to show our customers through my support and expertise that GoDaddy is not just another hosting company, we are their trusted partner, always ready to provide the fastest, most reliable solutions so they can focus on growing their dreams. What has been your most significant learning experience within the past year? Over the past year, one of my most significant learning experiences has been improving my approach to offering GoDaddy products and services during customer interactions. While my primary focus has been assisting customers with their WordPress websites, I realized how important it is to look beyond the immediate technical needs and truly understand the bigger picture of each customer's business. By developing a more consultative and thoughtful communication style, I was able to better analyze their goals and recommend the products and services that would best support their growth. This shift has not only strengthened my own customer relationships, but it has also had a positive impact on my entire team. I am very proud that I can share my knowledge, experience, and skills with my teammates. Helping others through mentorship and support, especially during the onboarding and training of new members of our Hosting and Sales teams, has been incredibly fulfilling. It's very important to me to motivate new colleagues in the right way, to pass on my knowledge, and to help them build a strong foundation for developing their own skills. My goal has always been to inspire my team members to demonstrate to our customers that GoDaddy is an exceptional company. We provide the best solutions and services on the market, distinguishing ourselves through the care and dedication we offer. Witnessing others grow and succeed as a result of my guidance has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my career, thus far. If you had to describe GoDaddy's culture in one word, what would it be and why? If I had to describe GoDaddy's culture in one word, it would be Empowering. GoDaddy creates an environment where everyone is encouraged to grow, express their ideas, and make a real impact. From day one, I felt supported not just as an employee, but as an individual with unique strengths and potential. The culture motivates us to continuously improve, to help each other succeed, and to always put our customers first. It's a place where you are given the tools, trust, and inspiration to become the best version of yourself, and to help our customers do the same. What advice would you give to an individual interested in a career in WordPress? WordPress is an excellent field for anyone looking to build a strong and evolving career. The software is constantly changing and improving, always keeping pace with the latest technologies and offering some of the most advanced tools available today. Pursuing a career in WordPress allows you to showcase and develop both your technical skills and your creativity. Whether you are solving complex technical issues or building beautiful, functional websites, there is always room to learn, innovate, and make a real impact. It is truly a dynamic and exciting sector within the IT industry, offering endless opportunities for growth and personal development. If you are passionate about technology, eager to keep learning, and love the idea of combining technical expertise with creativity, then WordPress is a perfect path to explore. What's your motto or personal mantra? My personal mantra is simple but powerful: 'You can do it!' It's a phrase my mom used to tell me before every competition during my school years, and it has stayed with me ever since. Every time I read or hear those words, I can hear her voice encouraging me, and it becomes my source of strength. Whenever I face something new, unknown, or challenging, I remind myself of that very sentence. It gives me the courage to step forward and trust in my knowledge, skills, and dedication. It pushes me to give my very best, to do everything to the highest standard I can. This mantra inspires me not only in my personal life, to be the best daughter, partner, and friend I can be, but also in my professional life here at GoDaddy. It reminds me every day to be a supportive colleague and a dedicated team member; someone who always strives to give it my all, because deep down, I truly believe: I can do it! Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us. FacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitterTikTokCareer Page Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from GoDaddy
Associated Press
30-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Embracing Lifelong Learning: Meet Natalie Sires
Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library Tell us a little bit about yourself, your career journey, and what led you to your current role. Born and raised in the Midwest, my husband Max and I relocated to Arizona after the holidays in 2019. I had been offered a role with GoDaddy on the HRIS team and was eager to escape the freezing temperatures after a long winter. I began working in the Gilbert office as a Time and Absence Analyst on the HRIS team until the pandemic was in full swing and transitioned to working from home. Over the next two years, I worked on the Project team to implement Workday time and absence in twelve countries and supported business as usual work within People Operations. In early spring of 2022, Max and I welcomed our wonderful daughter, Nora. The following year, in the spring of 2023, I began managing the HRIS team and delved into the performance and benefits modules within Workday. Over the last two years, our incredible team has collaborated to complete many remarkable projects while enhancing our knowledge both internally and with other teams. When I am not working, I enjoy spending weekends at the local farmer's market, exploring the Southwest, taking Pilates classes, spending time outdoors with my family and giving lots of love to our foster dog(s)! How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work? I am lucky enough to work in an environment that is always evolving. Our HR leadership team is consistently encouraging us to experiment and be bold. Whether it is changing how the system works by adding new functionality, fixing bugs, or completing implementations, I rarely do the same thing from week to week. I am fortunate to show up every day and work with an incredible team that embodies GoDaddy's values. Their dedication motivates me to excel in my role. I appreciate being able to take advantage of our Global Wellness Days to reset and recharge. Knowing that I have time to be present with my family allows me the clarity to focus on my work and support my team. How do you stay updated with the latest trends in HRIS, and how do you incorporate those into your work? Workday has many great resources for users. We review and implement changes from the product releases twice a year in partnership with various teams and also gather information from Workday Community. My team maintains strong partnerships with all of our internal stakeholders. Through regular meetings and frequent Slack messages, we stay informed about various global changes. One day, it might be a new parental leave plan in the United Kingdom; the next, it is altering our performance cycle based on feedback from our partners. What advice would you offer to professionals seeking to advance their careers in the field of HRIS? Stay curious and commit to continuous learning. In my experience with GoDaddy, by the time (I think) I have mastered one process, I am always challenged by a new one. It's important to listen to and collaborate with your teammates, organizational partners, and field experts. By understanding their desires, concerns, and motivations, you can more effectively support them and provide solutions that align with the long-term goals and vision of the organization. What is your motto or personal mantra? This might change the next time you ask, but a quote from Salvador Dali has stuck out to me in my personal life and at work - 'Have no fear of perfection, you'll never reach it'. I work to make sure the 'what ifs' never stand in the way of trying or doing something new. Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us. FacebookInstagramLinkedInTwitterTikTokCareer Page Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from GoDaddy
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Empathy-Driven Innovation: Meet Rachel Beneke
Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library Tell us a little bit about yourself, your career journey, and what led you to your current role. Hi! I'm Rachel Beneke, Director of Product Management at GoDaddy, where I lead an incredible team of Product Managers working on our Website Builder. My journey to product management wasn't exactly traditional. I always thought I'd be a psychologist—I even earned my degree in psychology at the University of Michigan (Go Blue)! But as I approached the end of college, I realized I wanted a career with a higher ceiling for success and set my sights on the world of business. After graduation, I joined a management consulting firm and landed in their tech org, where I got a crash course in software development. Over the next few years, I worked across different companies and industries, helping translate business needs into technical solutions. I developed a talent for finding the most efficient ways to meet business requirements with the least amount of software changes. Looking back, I was applying lean software development principles before I even knew what they were. By the time I joined GoDaddy in 2013, Product Management was just gaining recognition as a career path, and I realized my entire career had essentially been PM-ing. My first role here was working on GoDaddy's Online Store, helping small businesses sell their products online. Since then, I've had the opportunity to lead exciting projects like launching GoDaddy's Website Builder and creating solutions to help new domain customers get up and running with all the tools they need to confidently grow their business. At the heart of it all, I couldn't do any of this without my team—they're the ones who make everything we do possible. I'm incredibly proud of the work we've done and the impact we've had on empowering entrepreneurs around the world. How do you keep yourself motivated and inspired in your work? I find motivation and inspiration by putting myself in our customers' shoes. I use our Website Builder to manage the website for my son's high school Varsity soccer team (and previously for my daughter's softball team). I also use the Online Store to collect team dues, sell practice jerseys, and handle end-of-season banquet tickets. Using the product firsthand helps me empathize with our customers. I feel how rewarding it is when everything works seamlessly, but I also experience their frustrations when something doesn't meet my expectations. This perspective drives me to continuously improve our tools so they're not only functional but truly empowering for the people who rely on them. Hearing success stories from our customers, combined with the hands-on insights I gain from using our product, keeps me energized and excited to make a difference. As a key figure in driving the success of GoDaddy Airo, can you share some of the most important insights gained during the product's launch? One of my most rewarding experiences was playing a key role in the launch of GoDaddy Airo. At its core, GoDaddy Airo was designed to make the process of starting a business simpler. We saw that new entrepreneurs were often overwhelmed by all the steps involved with starting a business—creating a website, designing a logo, marketing strategies, managing social posts, and more. GoDaddy Airo brings together all the essential tools into one streamlined, easy-to-use package, taking the guesswork out of getting started. We wanted GoDaddy Airo to not only provide the tools but also instill confidence by guiding customers step-by-step through the process. One of the most important insights we gained during the product's launch was just how critical simplicity is. We focused on reducing friction at every touchpoint — whether it was simplifying the onboarding process, providing actionable recommendations, or seamlessly integrating tools — so customers could spend less time figuring things out and more time focusing on their ideas. What aspect of the project are you most proud of? I'm most proud of the way I helped the team cut through the noise and refine the scope during the critical early stages of the GoDaddy Airo project. As with any ambitious initiative, there were a lot of voices, ideas, and excitement in the room, and the scope quickly began to grow beyond what was realistic for our timeline. While dreaming big is important, I started to worry that we'd miss our launch deadline if we didn't sharpen our focus. To address this, I ruthlessly prioritized what features were in scope and what had to wait for future iterations. Drawing a clear line between what was 'in' and what was 'out' helped the entire team align and focus on delivering the most impactful features by the target date. That clarity allowed us to not only hit our deadline but also launch a product that was cohesive, valuable, and well-received by our customers. If you had to describe GoDaddy's culture in one word, what would it be and why? Driven. GoDaddy is a place where everyone is always pushing to be better—whether it's improving our products, making the customer experience smoother, or stepping up to support each other as a team. There's a real sense of momentum here, and it's inspiring to be part of a culture that never settles. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? Outside of work, fitness is a big priority for me. I mix things up with cardio, weightlifting, and Pilates. On Sundays, I love to cook and try new recipes. Sometimes, my teenage son approves, and other times, I get a polite 'it' That keeps me humble. I also enjoy keeping up with social media trends, mainly so I can share funny videos with my daughter in college. On weeknights, you'll often find me at the soccer field, watching my son play in his high school Varsity matches. It's his senior year, and I cherish every moment. At home, I shamelessly baby-talk to my two dogs—a sweet standard poodle and a grumpy mini schnauzer. Lately, I've been enjoying a new hobby: antiquing with my friend. It's become our little treasure hunt and a fun way to explore unique finds and imagine the stories behind them.
Associated Press
21-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Harnessing the Power of Different Perspectives: Meet Maja Loncar
Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library Tell us a little bit about yourself and what led you to join GoDaddy. Having spent over twenty years building businesses globally, I knew a strong digital presence was crucial. But simply existing online wasn't enough. One of the biggest hurdles was finding a web agency that truly grasped our target audience, business objectives, and the potential of the digital landscape. After trying out different teams and gaining valuable experience in the ever-changing digital world, I realized I needed to add this expertise to my own skillset. That's when an opportunity at GoDaddy presented itself, and the rest, as they say, is history. How has your passion for WordPress evolved over time? WordPress has become my go-to solution for business development, both for my own ventures and for the clients I advise privately. Being an active member of the WordPress community for the past six years has also allowed me to connect with numerous professionals who inspire me and that I constantly learn from. I've even had the opportunity to collaborate with some of them on projects. These days, it's hard to imagine launching a project without incorporating WordPress in some way. What has been one of your proudest moments at GoDaddy? Shortly after I joined GoDaddy, my colleague Andrija Radojev came on board as well. While chatting with him, I learned about his unique interactive game project, Zoundark, designed for both visually impaired individuals and gamers. It was then that I met his partner, Lazar Bulatovic, a young, blind tech enthusiast trying to navigate the crowded coaching industry. Lazar, being tech-savvy and frustrated by inaccessible websites, inspired me to help him become a web accessibility expert. I envisioned him advocating for websites accessible to the blind community. Here's where the real pride comes in: I shared my idea with my manager, Adam Warner, suggesting that GoDaddy could empower Lazar to champion inclusive coding and design. Adam was immediately on board. Fast forward three years, and thanks to our collaborative efforts, Lazar now runs his own successful web accessibility agency, is self-sufficient, and has become a true role model within the blind community. How do you believe diversity in tech contributes to innovation and problem-solving? In essence, diversity in tech is not just about representation—it's about harnessing the power of different perspectives to drive innovation, create better products, and build a more inclusive and equitable tech industry for all. What do you enjoy doing outside of work? I have some serious hobbies like business consultancy and some lighter ones like tennis. Though I won a tennis tournament in 2024, I still consider myself an amateur player. Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You're more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.
