# Ep. 801: Unique Gifts from Italy and Beyond

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fit-2-love-podcast-with-jj-flizanes-319823/ep-801-unique-gifts-from-italy-and-beyond
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/fit-2-love-podcast-with-jj-flizanes-319823/ep-801-unique-gifts-from-italy-and-beyond.md
Podcast: [Fit 2 Love Podcast with JJ Flizanes](https://stenobird.com/podcast/fit-2-love-podcast-with-jj-flizanes-319823)
Published: 2026-02-17T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: http://jjflizanes.com
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ff725d0f-84c1-465e-babb-71e9acc01e00.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/fit-2-love-podcast-with-jj-flizanes-319823/episodes/ep-801-unique-gifts-from-italy-and-beyond
Duration seconds: 2675

## Resource

JJ welcomes Sheila Donohue for a conversation that blends entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and the art of curated Italian wines and foods. Sheila shares how her company, Verovino, sources small-batch, farm-made wines, olive oils, and specialty foods—many not readily available in the U.S.—and delivers them to both consumers and businesses across America. In This Episode Meet Sheila in Bologna: Sheila shares her life in Bologna, Italy, where she's lived since 2001, and how Italy shaped her expertise and relationships with producers. What Verovino does: Verovino curates and imports authentic, sustainably made, small-batch products—primarily from Italy, plus select producers from other countries and California—selling B2B and direct-to-consumer. From fintech to food & wine: Sheila explains her background in financial technology (fintech), her sommelier training in Italy, and how her personal immersion in artisan food culture inspired the company. Starting from a "clean slate": In 2017, after major life changes, Sheila began building Verovino—funded through savings—and took early action by importing product and going door-to-door to find customers. How the business grows: Sheila emphasizes the importance of continuity (repeat business), building scale, and covering operating expenses. She explains how an omni-channel strategy helps stabilize the business: Distributors nationwide Wine stores & restaurants (especially in California) Direct-to-consumer shipping across the U.S. Corporate gifting & events Marketing & education that compounds: Verovino invests in education and storytelling through digital marketing—especially their blog and YouTube channel—to build long-term brand trust and demand. Product philosophy: As a sommelier-led team, Sheila curates for variety and distinctio…

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## Transcript

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