Community Highlights: Meet Lorenzo Dillard of Bello Pizza

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorenzo Dillard.

Lorenzo, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am from Michigan. I moved to LA the week after I graduated high school. When I was in college at Santa Monica College, I had a job at 800 Degrees, a pizzeria in Hollywood. I got really good at making pizzas and quickly became a manager to ensure the integrity of the kitchen and quality of the food. I worked there for five years, helping train the staff, manage important aspects of the business, and even expand the restaurant to include a vinyl only speakeasy called Sunset and Vinyl.

After 800 Degrees, I took a chance to work at an upcoming pizza company that was starting a new location in West Hollywood. Leading a team and helping open the now successful Pizzana restaurant in West Hollywood, is one of my favorite accomplishments. Once it was opened, I quickly was leading Pizzana’s catering department.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have had a few challenges. I have managed many restaurants for 9 years from; Uovo (part of the sugar fish group), Urthe Cafe, 800 Degrees Wood-fired Kitchen, and Pizzana. It has been different stepping into the owner role now as well as still being a manager. The other challenge has been making connections to get into festivals which we love to do.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My work as an owner is everything. Thankfully I have Nick and Zee whom help with different aspects. I do everything on Back of house side from; recipes, hiring, cooking, prepping, booking events and much more. Nick helps with marketing, running errands and bookings as well. Then we have Zee who is over branding and aesthetics. Keeping us looking good while being creative doing it.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me there are layers to success. All depending on your short term and long term goals. At this time Bello Pizza is now in talks to put our first franchise location in Central California. However, our main goal as a company is booking festivals and getting our name out there more. That is the current level of success we are working on. Our next level would be putting a flagship store here in Los Angeles. It is always another goal to shoot for so my success will always depend on me meeting my goals as a company.

Pricing:

• Pricing is simple on the website www.bellopizzas.com our prices range from $10- $30 for dining in at Harlowe or seeing us at a festival. However our catering prices is done more so by the hour and headcount. We typically charge between $500-$750 an hour depending on your menu choices.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bellopizzas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enzo_bello94
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/bello-pizza-west-hollywood-2
• Other: https://www.instagram.com.com/thebellopizza