He had been in the restaurant business for most of his life. But chef and restaurateur Rocco Pezzano left the time-demanding industry to start a wholesale business that would allow him to spend more time with his young family.

Eight years later, COVID-19 hit and effectively shut down his company. By now, Pezzano’s personal life had also changed as his children were older and living their own lives. Pezzano considered his next professional steps and none of them involved going back to restaurants. He thought about giving wholesale another shot.