On This Episode
Key Takeaways from Justin De Leon of Apollonia’s Pizzeria Interview
- Vision & Authenticity: Justin emphasizes maintaining your vision for your pizzeria without compromise, while balancing responsibility. He values being able to do things his way as an independent owner with his wife, rather than having partners or investors.
- Adaptation & Evolution: Over 13+ years in business, Apollonia’s has adapted to changing times, product availability, and trends while maintaining quality. They started with round pizzas only, then added square pies that became incredibly popular.
- Quality Over Expansion: Justin prioritizes quality and authenticity over growth, choosing to perfect his operation in one location rather than expanding. He believes his pizza wouldn’t be the same if someone else made his dough or sauce.
- Customer Experience: He’s intentional about creating a specific experience, even if it means not accommodating everyone. His 20-inch pizzas and squares aren’t typical, and he doesn’t compromise on how they’re served.
- Pizza Craftsmanship: Justin is extremely dedicated to his craft, eating and critiquing a cheese slice daily to continuously improve. He makes seasonal adjustments to recipes and emphasizes that true pizza-making requires knowing the rules before breaking them.
