VINNY Petrarca
Company: The Blue Stone
Title: Owner
Age: 35
Career Highlights: Opening the first Blue Stone is the thing I'm most proud of - it has led me down an entrepreneurial path and given me the opportunity to pay it forward by being a mindful employer, 
that supports my staff as if they are my family.
Community Involvement: I am the 
Chair of Revitalizing Waterbury, a non- profit in Waterbury. We support businesses, local economy, growth and art!, while trying to grow the community and draw more businesses to our town to increase quality of living.
What motivated you to live and work in Vermont? I was headed down a bad path, and needed to be somewhere far enough way to start over - but close enough to home to be available.
Favorite part of your job? Learning. I like to utilize every opportunity I'm given to ask questions, to figure out why, to creatively think outside of the box and think of a new way forward. I'm lucky enough that I get to spend a lot of my time with like-minded individuals who are creative, passionate, and genuinely care.
Most inspiring mentor and why: Justin Bourgeois. It sounds strange to say your banker is a mentor - but he's become a close friend of mine that always optimistic and pushing me to do bigger and better things. He's a wonderful father who has a great career that has the kind of work/life balance I hope to achieve. If I can be 80% of that guy, then I'll feel like I did pretty ok.
What is the best career advice you have received? Keep it simple stupid. From my business partner Chris Fish - who was also my executive chef once upon a time. He's given me a ton of great advice over the years, and is also someone that has always been in my corner.
Tell us something fun about yourself that few people know: One would think my true passion is restaurants; but genuinely it's being able to help other people in a way that's meaningful. Offering what I know about business finance and running a business to others that are pigeonholed or stuck in a position they didn't imagine finding themselves in. I really like figuring out the numbers, breaking down the dollars to pennies - and figuring out the where, why and how to improve things while saving money. It's like this insane challenge, it really gets me going.
What three words best describe you: Irreverent. Driven. Ambitious.
Favorite Vermont escape: Hanging with my wife, child, dog, 2 cats, and group of friends anywhere near a fire pit and some grills. My favorite escape is surrounding myself with people that I love.
Favorite downtime activity: Tabletop games, reading, dungeons and dragons haha. I also compose a lot of music and am writing a book of short stories.
Favorite Super Hero: Single Parents, that work their ass off to provide for their kids. They're the real heroes.
Favorite Social Media: Social Media is poison, not a fan.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with: It changes, but living - probably Chuck Klosterman to talk about pop culture, sports, writing, politics. I don't know - I like sharing drinks with everyone, especially if they let me grill them about what they know!
If you had unlimited access to funds, which cause(s) would you support: If I had an endless well of money; the first cause I would fight is Climate Change. I want my child and his children to have an opportunity to do great things - and not suffer the consequences of the generations that came before. Clean Water, Food, health care - I have a core believe system about fundamental rights. I believe everyone has a right to be happy, healthy, educated, and live in a safe environment. That's what I want for the world.
What one song is on your playlist that are you ashamed to tell your best friend: There are no songs on my playlist I'm ashamed of. I love some weird music, you name the genre and I'll probably have some favorites.
Where do you see yourself professionally in the next 5-10 years? Hope to keep growing The Blue Stone - get to 100 of these things so I can do bigger and better things on a larger level with foundations, trusts, and philanthropy; I'd like to move into affordable housing, creating little green energy efficient pocket communities that are sustainable. I also want to open more retail minded spaces for small communities to grow walking traffic, along with opening some small theaters for events, films, art and music - to give artists a place to shine!
What career goal(s) would you like to accomplish in the next 5-10 years? Go big or go home. I want to get to 10 restaurants, 3 retail, 5 properties total, and several theaters - and if you doubt me, that's fine. I know what I'm capable of doing, and the people I surround myself with will help me achieve the dream!
