When you listen to John Tarallo tell the story of his childhood, it seems inevitable that he would end up in the food industry. Influenced at a young age by his two Italian grandfathers, he learned how food could bring people together and that salt was indeed the flavor of life. In 2014, John and his wife started the Steel City Salt Company by selling their products from an outdoor tabletop in the Strip District. Today, they operate a retail storefront and production facility in Millvale in addition to seasonal appearances throughout the year in the Strip District.
John Tarallo was young when he discovered that salt could be mixed with herbs and spices to create unique flavors. His Sicilian grandfather often used an imported salt blend on his favorite dishes. This experience left an impression on John, as he realized the impact that spices could have on the taste of food. John grew up in a large family where gathering around the kitchen table for Sunday dinners and home-cooked meals was a way of life. He was raised by a family of small business owners, so it seemed natural that he would eventually try his hand at entrepreneurship. In 2014, he decided that the time was right to launch the Steel City Salt Company.
The business had humble beginnings, as John started by selling salt blends and spices from a sidewalk table in the Strip District. The business grew, and four years later, John opened a storefront and production facility in Millvale. The building required extensive renovation, and John and his father, ever the do-it-yourselfers, did the bulk of the work. Today, John and his wife enjoy being hands-on business owners and operators. While they are grateful for their success, they intend to keep things simple by growing their business slowly and responsibly. Their desire is for Steel City Salt Company to remain a small family business for many years to come.
If you have any questions or if you’d like to chat, you can reach me at my contact info below. The purpose of this podcast is to share ideas, inspire action, and build a stronger small business community here in Pittsburgh. So please say hello, tell me what you think, and let me know how I’m doing. It means a ton!
YOU CAN REACH ME AT:
Website: https://www.proprietorsofpittsburgh.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proprietorsofpittsburghpodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darinvilano
Phone: 412-336-8247
YOU CAN REACH JOHN TARALLO AT:
Website: https://steelcitysalt.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelcitysaltco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steelcitysalt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/steelcitysaltco
Phone: 412-407-9271