Today was an easy going day, filled with good conversation and good food.
For lunch, we met with Joe Pietropola, who is an Executive in Residence for Retail, Strategy and Information Systems. Our conversation with Joe was incredibly insightful, hearing him live a thousand lives. Joe has over 20 years of experience at DICK’s Sporting Goods, which includes a diverse portfolio of merchandising, e-commerce, technology, transformation office, analytics and P&L positions. I learnt that you can wear many many hats, and still have all of your roles relate to each other. Joe’s path reflects a more traditional, corporate-to-entrepreneurial arc. With a background in business leadership and experience in guiding startups, his story underscores the importance of strategic thinking, mentorship, and calculated risk-taking. It was interesting to hear how during the pandemic his team had to quickly adapt to contact-less curbside pickup at DICK’s Sporting Goods in less than 48 hours, highlighting the importance of quick thinking and improvisation in times of pressure and uncertainty. What resonated with me is that you should not be afraid to transition between roles or industries, as skills are always transferable applicable. Overall, I definitely believe that I will be meeting with him in the fall to further discuss career success, as well as, how to adapt to unique business environments!
At dinner, we all went to Grapow, an Asian street food restaurant, and met with Nima Sherpa, the Owner, Manager, and Chef of Grapow. His story was fascinating, being a native from Nepal – from the Mount Everest area actually – his life consisted of tourism and hospitality before and after he attended school in the United States. Chef Nima’s journey is more grassroots and passion-driven. His transition from Nepal to the U.S., and then from chef to business owner, shows grit, cultural authenticity, and entrepreneurial creativity. He even worked in Finance for a short period of his life, before deciding that was not his path, and ventured into the restaurant industry. What’s compelling is how he stayed true to his roots while adapting to a new environment, using food as a bridge between cultures. His ability to translate his culinary talent into a successful restaurant business shows that following your passion—with persistence—can lead to success. Nima aims to connect with micro-influencers – such as Pittsburgh Foodie – to advertise his business. I learnt that passion can be a powerful driver of success, especially when paired with a strong work ethic.
At the end, after thanking Nima for the wonderful dinner and amazing traditional coffee, I connected with him regarding Mount Everest. Coming from a family of travelers, Mount Everest Base Camp is one of my dreams, and with his guidance, I know where I can start when I decide to commit to it. I will definitely be back at Grapow in the fall when the semester starts!
Joe and Nima show that there isn’t one “right” way to build a career. Each path is unique and take its own shape. Whether you’re following a structured business path or carving your own entrepreneurial journey, the key is to stay adaptable, be curious, and stay grounded in what motivates you. Their stories remind me that success often comes from blending your personal values with professional ambition – and being open to change along the way.
My day ended with a sweet treat run to Millie’s Ice Cream & Coffee with the girls, wrapping up assignments with a chill end!
