Awesome Women You've Probably Never Heard About: Rose Totino, Pizza Pioneer and Corporate Trailblazer
This Women's History Month, we're celebrating the incredible achievements of Rose Totino, a name you might recognize from the freezer aisle, but whose story goes far beyond delicious pizza.
Born in 1915, one of 7 children, Rose's life embodied resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Though she left school young, she possessed a strong work ethic. This drive led her, along with her husband, James, to open Totino's Italian Kitchen in 1951, initially offering take-out pizza. Adapting to customer needs, they expanded to dine-in service, showcasing Rose's keen business acumen.
But their true innovation came in the 1960s, with the invention of frozen pizza. Rose's ingenuity even led to a patent for a unique dough recipe* specifically designed for freezing. Their frozen pizza, Totino's Pizza, became the top-selling brand in the US by the 1970s.
In 1981, Rose negotiated the sale of Totino's Pizza to Pillsbury, demonstrating her sharp negotiation skills. Not only did she secure a $20 million deal (rejecting Pillsbury's lower initial offer of $16 million), but she also became Pillsbury's first-ever female vice president, shattering a glass ceiling in the corporate world.
Beyond business, Rose was a dedicated philanthropist, supporting numerous charities and educational institutions. Her legacy is one of innovation, business savvy, and breaking barriers, making her a true inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders, especially women.
#WomensHistoryMonth #Pizza #Innovation #Leadership
Chief of Staff - AMPLIFY Clearwater / Founder-CEO at J^3 Creations / Founder-CEO, P3 Creations (non-profit)
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