A Morning of Culture, Business, and Inspiration
On December 2nd, Spazio Camera hosted students from St. Michael’s College School’s Italian program for an engaging and hands-on exploration of the Italian-Canadian business landscape. Far from a traditional classroom lecture, the visit offered students a unique opportunity to connect with real-world examples of entrepreneurship, trade, and cultural collaboration.
The session began with a personal story from ICCO Canada’s Lavinia Di Ceglie, who shared her journey from Italy to Canada. Her experience of pursuing new opportunities, navigating a different market, and building a career with ICCO Canada provided students with a tangible example of how ambition, curiosity, and perseverance can shape success.
Students then learned about ICCO Canada’s mission: creating connections between Italian and Canadian businesses. Through examples of companies successfully entering the Canadian market, they discovered how strategic networking, understanding local markets, and cultural awareness are essential for business growth. The stories highlighted how Made in Italy excellence is translated into real opportunities here in Canada.
The visit also highlighted the broader Italian-Canadian community and the impact of its economic and cultural contributions. Students gained an understanding of how international trade works in practice, how regional specialization in Italy affects global business strategies, and how cultural heritage can be a powerful driver of innovation and collaboration.
Entrepreneurial Insights From Domenic Primucci
The highlight of the visit was undoubtedly Domenic Primucci, President of Pizza Nova and ICCO Canada Board Member. Domenic shared his personal entrepreneurial journey, describing how he grew a single location into one of Ontario’s most beloved Italian-Canadian franchises.
He offered students practical advice, emphasizing resilience, vision, and the importance of community engagement. His stories brought the concepts of leadership and entrepreneurship to life, inspiring students to think about their own potential paths after high school. Domenic’s presence demonstrated the real-world impact of Italian-Canadian business leaders and the values that drive their success.
By experiencing business in action, meeting influential leaders, and seeing the power of cultural and commercial connections, students left Spazio Camera with inspiration, knowledge, and a deeper appreciation for the opportunities that come from global collaboration—lessons they can carry into their studies and future careers.
