• 13th Anniversary Milestone: Caputo Brothers Creamery recently celebrated its 13th anniversary, marking a significant journey from a small idea to a thriving business.
 • Culinary Journey in Italy: Rynn and her husband, originally aiming to be chefs, studied at a culinary school in Calabria, Italy, where they developed a deep connection to traditional Italian cheese-making.
 • Accidental Cheese Business: What started as a necessity to make their own mozzarella and ricotta for authentic recipes evolved into a full-fledged cheese business after being encouraged by local dairy farms in Virginia.
 • Starting Small, Growing Big: The business began in a small licensed creamery attached to their farmhouse in Pennsylvania, with initial sales at local farmers’ markets before being picked up by major outlets like Murray’s Cheese in NYC.
 • Balancing Local and Global: Despite being rooted in a small town, Caputo Brothers Creamery has expanded its reach globally, supplying cheese as far as Alaska, Australia, and working with a company in India.
 • Bridging Rural and Urban: The company uniquely connects the rural and urban divide by supplying high-quality, locally sourced cheese to some of the best restaurants across the U.S., showing how food can unite different cultures and regions.
 • Female Entrepreneurship: Rynn discusses the challenges of being a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, often being underestimated despite being the driving force behind the business.
 • Commitment to Quality and Ethics: The company is committed to producing authentic, traditional Italian-style cheeses and has resisted raising prices during the pandemic, even seeking ways to lower costs for small restaurants.
 • Growing Through Travel: To continue honing their craft, the team at Caputo Brothers regularly travels to Italy for training, which also led to the creation of a travel business that educates consumers on authentic Italian cheese-making.
 • Entrepreneurial Inspiration: Rynn shares insights on taking risks, making “hard right turns” in life and business, and the importance of mentorship in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
 • 13th Anniversary: Highlights the longevity and success of Caputo Brothers Creamery, demonstrating their ability to grow and sustain the business over more than a decade.
 • 90-95% Wholesale: Prior to the pandemic, the majority of their business was wholesale, but they successfully pivoted to retail when the wholesale market collapsed in March 2020.
 • $155,000 FedEx Grant: This grant was crucial in helping Caputo Brothers Creamery develop their online sales strategy, particularly through Shopify, enabling them to survive the transition to a more retail-focused model.