Worcester Business Journal

OUTSTANDING WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS F O C U S BY T. J. GAUDET Special to WBJ D enise Kapulka-Cariglia doesn't have an off switch. e culinary events planner and marketing professional pushes away her plate full of work commitments and volunteer activities on occasion, but the co-owner of Simply Delicious Catering and Elms Cafe – and longtime sales manager for Knight's Airport Limousine Service – always comes back to the table. "I don't sleep," deadpanned Kapul- ka-Cariglia when asked how she manag- es the hectic schedule. "I'm literally up at 3:30 a.m., and by the time I go back to bed, it's aer 10. It's hard. For a little while I stepped back from the volunteer work, but I ended up going back because I love it. I love giving back to the com- munity. It just feels good." One of her most satisfying role is co-founder of Business Forward Females. e decade-old networking group is affiliated with the Westbor- ough-based Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce, where Kapul- ka-Cariglia, 51, serves on the board. "I wouldn't say it's just woman-owned businesses. We try to help all small businesses," she said. "We can show them where to start, because it's not very easy to open a business. Who do you go to? Who can you rely on for help? For us, the [U.S. Small Business Administra- tion] has been a great resource." Volunteer efforts include coordinating multiple ongoing fundraisers to benefit the National Ataxia Foundation, and work for the National Brain Tumor Soci- ety in memory of her brother Anthony, who was lost to the illness 17 years ago. She serves on the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce's Breakfast Club committee and is a Worcester County Sheriff 's Office volunteer. A parent to three grown sons (and grandparent to two more) with husband Len, Kapulka-Cariglia learned how to push forward and give back through a 37-year working relationship with her business mentor, John Mauro. "She has a lot of energy, more than most people. I just try to harness it. She works very well with people and she's a good leader," said Mauro, co-founder of Simply Delicious and Elms Cafe. Mauro has admired Kapulka-Cari- glia's work ethic since he hired the then 14-year-old while working for D'Errico's Market in Worcester. "Denise was very ambitious, and no matter what tasks needed to be done she would do them without complaint. at's kind of unique," he said. "She's always willing to learn and is a very good people person. at's what really made me gravitate toward her. In the hospitality business, we can [forget] what that word means. You need to be a real people person with a smile." eir connection deepened aer Mauro's Ataxia diagnosis nearly 20 years ago. e illness involves a debilitating loss of muscle control and coordination that can affect a person's ability to walk, speak, see, and swallow. Mauro, 62, who received the National Ataxia Founda- tion's Lifetime Achievement Award, serves on its executive board. Kapulka-Cariglia is vice president of NAF's Central Massachusetts chapter and has coordinated the annual Ride for John fundraiser, along with charity walks and golf tournaments. A second comedy-show fundraiser is set for early November at Millbury's Asa Waters Mansion. Nearly all of Kapulka-Cari- glia's 30 catering staff members volunteer for those events. "You're good to your staff, and they're good to us," she said. Due largely to the pair's efforts and an assist from State Sen. Michael Moore (D-Worcester), Mass. became the first state to proclaim Sept. 25 as Ataxia Awareness Day. Kapulka-Cariglia was introduced to the culinary world by her grandmother, who ran a restaurant. Her pursuit of that career ended in her 20s, when a surgical complication immobi- lized her for a full year. "I wasn't able to cook anymore. When I was able to walk again aer so much treatment, I was in so much pain that I couldn't stand for a long period of time," she said. e detour led to a fulfilling 25-year gig as a marketer-manager for Shrewsbury-based Knight's, she said. Kapulka-Cariglia is a driving force behind multiple small businesses Denise Kapulka- Cariglia Co-owner of Simply Delicious Catering, in Auburn; co-owner of Elms Cafe, in Graon; Sales consultant at Knight's Airport Limousine, in Shrewsbury Residence: Worcester Education: Associates degree in food and beverage management from Newbury College Who is your hero? My mom is my hero, embodying unwavering strength in the face of challenges. She is the strongest woman I know. Additionally, my business partner, John Mauro, shares invaluable insights into business management, with lessons learned through both triumphs and trials to remain with me always. Since you started your career, how have things changed for women in the profes- sional world? Women have witnessed signif- icant advancements, with more opportunities in leadership roles and a growing emphasis on gender equality. Today, I am leading a million-dollar company. What obstacles do women in the work- place face today? Women often encounter challenges related to rigid policies that hinder flexibility in managing caregiving roles. At Simply Delicious, we prioritize work-life balance and offer flexibility to help employees juggle their responsibilities, whether caring for children or aging parents. wbjournal.com | September 30, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 25 PHOTO | MATT WRIGHT W

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