Entrepreneur Kyle Markott Talks Business

When 31-year Miller Place resident Kyle Markott was working at 17 years ago in his hometown, he decided to one day open such a business of his own.  In May of 2006, he opened Gio’s Pizzeria of Miller Place, offering dine-in service, catering, and take out.  Ironically, Gio’s of Miller Place opened its doors where LaCasa was previously established.  In September 2010, Markott relocated his establishment to Coram.  Markott, active in his community, is a former Miller Place school board member and five year assistant Chief in the Miller Place Volunteer Fire Department. 

How do you juggle between being a Fire Chief and owning a local business?

Sometimes it becomes difficult because I’m not in town as much as I used to be when I had the restaurant in Miller Place.  Owning a business is a 24/7 operation and being a Fire Chief is also a 24/7 operation.  Planning my days carefully certainly helps.  I’m always readily accessible via cell phone or email and that helps me a lot.    

In this economy, explain some of the challenges you face. 

The challenges are not so much not having customers purchase items; it’s the cost of goods we purchase.  For instance, just last week iceberg lettuce jumped from $22 per case to $58 per case, but I can’t double the price of our salad.  So when sales are down and the prices of products keep going up it makes things difficult. 

Name some challenges Gio’s of Coram face’s with competition.

Ironically, our biggest competitor in Miller Place is our same competitor in Coram, LaCasa of Selden, but we have been holding our own.  There are a lot less pizzerias in this area than Miller Place so that makes it a little bit easier.  I believe we are making a name for ourselves in Coram and will continue to grow and be successful. 

What is the most challenging aspect in being a local volunteer?

That some people in the community forget that we are 100 percent volunteers.  Over the past few years the volunteer fire service has gotten a bad rap in the Long Island newspapers.  Granted there are some bad apples in the volunteer service but 99 percent of us have the community’s best interest in mind and truly care about what we do. 

What is the most rewarding experience having once owned a business in the town you volunteer? 

Really getting to know everyone who came into Gio’s.  My parents were reunited with people they hadn’t seen in many years.  Many students my father taught at Miller Place Schools came to the restaurant to see him and that was very rewarding for our family.  Also, providing a superior product and exceptional service.  We pride ourselves on creating a family atmosphere and I truly believe that people enjoyed coming to Gio’s in Miller Place. 

What does your business do to interact and support the community? 

At Gio’s Pizzeria, we try to give back to the community as much as we can.  We are constantly participating in fundraisers and events.  We are part of the community in Coram and we have an obligation to assist people in need in any way we can.

For any residents out there contemplating on volunteering in their local fire department—inspire them.

I’ve been involved in the fire department since I was fourteen years old and have loved every minute of it.  The people of the fire department become an extended family and you will make lifelong friends. 

What is your inspirational message to a high school senior who is rapidly interacting with prospective colleges and is trying to achieve a goal in life? 

Don’t be afraid to take on more than one task.  Some people will criticize you for taking on too much at once but schedule your time correctly and you can have fun doing a lot of things.  Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. 

Is anyone in your community a local entrepreneur, volunteer, or high spirited individual?  Patch reporter Kyle Reitan wants to hear from you.  Please include the name of the local and why we should write about his or her accomplishments in the community.