Startup Savvy: Young Entrepreneur Giovanni DiDomenico Shares Their Secrets For Rapid Growth and Success
An Interview With Eden Gold
Patience — Many people want quick results in business, especially as a young entrepreneur. However, success takes time. Patience allows you to keep working even when progress seems slow. A good example is when I first started Shop Morris County and growth was slow and study. However, as I worked harder every single day, the growth started to spread.
The entrepreneurial landscape is more vibrant and challenging than ever, with young entrepreneurs at the forefront, driving innovation and redefining the boundaries of success in the business world. These dynamic individuals are not only creating new products and services but also building sustainable business models that thrive in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven environment. Their journeys are filled with lessons of resilience, strategic innovation, and the relentless pursuit of growth. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Giovanni DiDomenico.
Giovanni DiDomenico, a driven young entrepreneur from Parsippany, New Jersey, founded Shop Morris County at just 14 years old while still in the 8th grade. His goal of supporting local businesses has transformed a simple idea into a thriving movement. What began as an Instagram post has since evolved into a comprehensive website and social media platform that connects residents and visitors with local shops, restaurants, and services. Giovanni’s passion for business development and photography has attracted significant attention, making Shop Morris County an essential resource for the Morris County, NJ community.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about cultural sensitivity, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Since I was a kid, I have been creative. I started Shop Morris County as an 8th-grade student with a passion for photography and videography. A simple Instagram post led me down a path to my future.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
The most interesting story that happened to me since I started my career was seeing the growth in Shop Morris County. When I first launched Shop Morris County, I had yet to learn how much it would connect with the community. Every day, I check my website and see lots of people on it, and I see more connections made. Watching Shop Morris County evolve and knowing that it’s making a big difference for local businesses in Morris County, NJ. It’s been a journey of challenges and reward, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success?
1. Patience — One crucial character trait is patience. It’s always important to remain calm. In my first week of launching the website, I anticipated a significant surge, so I took a step back and stayed focused. Within two weeks, I watched it grow rapidly, and the site began to take off. Being patient also helps with many things, whether reaching out to business owners or building your site.
2. Creativity- Being creative has been a driving force behind my success. It allows me to see opportunities where others might see challenges and develop unique solutions that set me apart from the competition. One example of this is when I wanted to be different from my competitors and use professional photos. Many competitors use stock or other photos. By using professional photos of actual products or food, it made my site more engaging.
3. Curiosity — Curiosity has been one of the most important traits in my journey to success. It’s the driving force behind my desire to explore, learn, and push boundaries. I love to discover new things, which has led to improvement and innovation in my work. One example of this was when I first started exploring Morris County.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview about young entrepreneurs secrets to rapid growth and success. To start, how would you define success?
I define success as being proud of your work. If you have achieved personal fulfillment and found happiness through what you are doing, I think you are successful.
What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly contributed to your startup’s growth, and why do you think it was so effective?
My most unconventional strategy was walking into businesses and having conversations on the spot. Nowadays, many people use email, text, or phone. This strategy was effective because it allowed me to stand out from my competition.
Can you share a critical pivot point in your startup’s journey and how you navigated the decision-making process?
A critical point in my startup’s journey was creating the website. I started Shop Morris County by taking Instagram pictures and slowly growing my following. Creating the website allowed me to take a step forward. I navigated the decision-making process by seeing how I could benefit the community.
How do you balance the need for rapid growth with maintaining a sustainable and healthy company culture?
I balance growth and company culture by staying grounded and focused on what’s most important.
In what ways has your personal definition of success evolved since the inception of your startup?
My personal definition of success has evolved since the inception of my startup by seeing how much hard work goes into making a business move forward. It’s not just about me; it’s about the community.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Things You Need to Succeed as a Young Person in Business?”
1 . Patience — Many people want quick results in business, especially as a young entrepreneur. However, success takes time. Patience allows you to keep working even when progress seems slow. A good example is when I first started Shop Morris County and growth was slow and study. However, as I worked harder every single day, the growth started to spread.
2 . Confidence is very much needed as a young person in business. Some people will not believe in you because of your age, but you must know it is okay. You have to be confident in your work and what you’re doing. Know your worth, and don’t let other people judge you on your age.
3 . Vision — A clear vision of where you want to go is essential. The vision is like your roadmap guiding your decisions, telling you what you’re doing, and keeping you focused on your goals. For young entrepreneurs, a vision can help them navigate the sophistication of their business and inspire others to join them on their journey.
4 . Focus — The world is full of distractions, and staying focused on your goals is necessary. As a young entrepreneur, it might be tempting to chase every opportunity. Focus helps you prioritize what matters. Staying focused on your core objectives can help you achieve more by doing less. Since I started Shop Morris County, I have focused on building the brand.
5 . Networking is one of the most crucial things you need to succeed as a young person in business. Networking helps you connect with new business owners and can help you even close many deals. I have been to different events, and even handing my business card out to as many people as possible has helped me a lot. Don’t be scared to hand out your business card.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring entrepreneur that you wish someone had given you at the start of your journey?
One piece of advice I would give to an aspiring entrepreneur that I wish someone had given me at the start of my journey would be to network as much as possible. Networking leads to great connections and can lead to many opportunities. It has given me access to places I never thought I would be, and it has helped me scale my business since I started.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I would expand my small movement of shopping locally to more places to help spread the word that shopping locally does change lives.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Readers can visit shopmorriscounty.com or @shopmorriscounty on Instagram to check out my business.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Eden Gold, is a youth speaker, keynote speaker, founder of the online program Life After High School, and host of the Real Life Adulting Podcast. Being America’s rising force for positive change, Eden is a catalyst for change in shaping the future of education. With a lifelong mission of impacting the lives of 1 billion young adults, Eden serves as a practical guide, aiding young adults in honing their self-confidence, challenging societal conventions, and crafting a strategic roadmap towards the fulfilling lives they envision.
Do you need a dynamic speaker, or want to learn more about Eden’s programs? Click here: https://bit.ly/EdenGold.
