Location/Headquarters: Braddock, Pennsylvania
Business Accolades: NaVOBA Certified
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VBE Spotlight on: Portogallo Peppers LLC
November 1, 2022
Portogallo Peppers, LLC
Portogallo Peppers, LLC was founded by Bob Portogallo in 2015.
Bob Portogallo founded Portogallo Peppers, LLC in 2015. Bob started doing a farmers market selling jarred products. His business specialized in homemade Italian beef, meatball, and sausage sandwiches topped with their own spicy giardiniera. Their location has a selection of over 22 beers on tap including nitro, domestic, imports, and locally brewed beers.
Bob continued to grow his business and offer his jarred products in local markets, retailers, and continues to grow his business' footprint and is currently in over 150 retail locations in PA, OH, WV, MD and NY.
Portogallo Peppers, LLC Makes their products with fresh vegetables, and never uses frozen ingredients. All natural ingredients with no preservatives, no MSG, and gluten-free, Portogallo Peppers prides themselves in quality.
Learn more by visiting their website: https://peppersnat.com/
About the Business - Fresh & Delicious
What services do you provide?
"We offer our jarred products to consumers of our retail partners."
Who are your primary customers?
"Grocery & speciality food stores."
When and how did you start your business?
"'I started doing a farmers market selling our jarred products. Now we are in PA, OH, WV, MD markets and growing."
Business Growth Challenges - Growing Through Challenge and Change
What were some of the challenges in starting your business?
"Funding and expertise from companies that are similar to ours. Also being a small local company, the larger companies have more visible shelf space than ours."
What is the key to the success of your business?
"Being local and unique. Being a veteran owned business helps as well."
What lessons learned can you share with people to make their business succeed?
"You just need to work hard, have a passion, and belief in what you are doing."
What pitfalls should they avoid?
"Don't over promise and underdeliver. Make sure you meet the expectations of your customers."
What other information about you and your business would you like to share with the NaVOBA community?
"We are looking for retail partners to carry our products in their stores."
Service information
Branch:
USAF
Service Years:
1980-1983
Highest Rank Attained:
TSgt
Why did you join the military?
"I was young and wanted to serve and get the structure I needed."
Military Occupation:
"70250C Orderly Room Specialist"
Any Significant Military Achievements:
"Airman of the Quarter HQ Air Forces Iceland."
Biography/Fun Facts
"I played professional baseball in Australia."
"My favorite sports team: Pittsburgh Steelers."
"Favorite TV show: The Office."
On October 22, NaVOBA celebrated the Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year Awards Ceremony during the 2024 National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Conference in Atlanta. Hosted at Cuts Steakhouse, a sponsor of the event alongside Accenture, Shell, and Hilton, the event was complete with a full course meal, drinks, and networking. Mimi Lohm, NaVOBA's Chief Development Officer, kicked off the event and set the stage for the awardees. Keynote speakers included Brandi Rauch, General Manager of Supply Chain for Shell, Che' McFerrin, Associate Manager, Global Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability at Accenture, and Matthew Pavelek, NaVOBA's President. Before the announcements of the winners, NaVOBA surprised Don McKneely, Chairman & CEO of Minority Business News, with the 2024 Veteran's Business Champion Award. The program then went on to highlight two companies who have demonstrated excellence within their industries with the 2024 Veteran's Business Enterprise (VBE)® We Love Awards. The first VBE We Love Award went to Demond Crump, CEO of REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins. Founded in 2019, REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins specializes in providing innovative sanitary napkins and panty liners infused with a Nobel Prize-winning material featuring a super absorbent system. The key to REIGN's success lies in prioritizing their mission over profits, ensuring that the focus on empowering women and young girls takes precedence. Demond served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 1994, achieving the rank of E-5 and specializing as an Operations Specialist. He is Aegis system qualified and brings a wealth of strategic expertise from his military service to his entrepreneurial journey. You can read more about this VBE spotlight here . The second VBE We Love Award was presented to Paden Sickles, CEO of SickFit. Founded in 2021, SickFit specializes in wholesale and custom socks, as well as murals. SickFit caters to a diverse customer base that includes service members, athletes, corporate partners, active individuals, and government entities. The key to SickFit's success lies in its commitment to innovation and authenticity. As a veteran-owned, woman-owned, and minority-owned company, SickFit represents a movement focused on resilience and empowerment, particularly for those in underrepresented communities. Paden served from 2014 to 2024 in the Army, achieving the rank of Captain and earned the Expert Soldier Badge and Air Assault Wings. You can learn more about this VBE spotlight here . NaVOBA then celebrated the 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise ® of the Year: Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprises. Established in 2020, Swain Enterprises specializes in federal projects, including restoration and renovations for military bases, federal facilities, and hospitals in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC areas. Swain Enterprises is committed to providing the highest level of service to government, commercial, educational, and institutional clients. The key to the success of Swain Enterprises has been a focus on integrity, hard work, and strong relationships. From the outset, the company has committed to delivering high-quality work and exceeding client expectations. As a fully veteran-owned business, Swain Enterprises is dedicated to empowering veterans and creating opportunities for those moving from military to civilian careers. You can read more about NaVOBA's 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year here .
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Swain Enterprises LLC
Thank you for your interest in the National Veteran Owned Business Association’s Certified Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (VBE) and Certified Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (SDVBE) programs. This initiative creates a nationally recognized gold standard in certification for veteran-owned businesses of all sizes and enables corporate America to proactively source and confidently utilize businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S. military veterans.
OUR MISSION
NaVOBA’s mission is to create corporate contracting opportunities for America’s Veteran’s and Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprises (VBEs/SDVBEs) through certification, advocacy, outreach, recognition and education.
