Title: Owner
Company: Nonna Santina’s
Location: Jacksonville, Illinois, United States
Filippa Alfano, Owner at Nonna Santina’s, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Business Owners for dedication, achievements and leadership in the culinary arts.
Ms. Alfano has established herself as a dynamic entrepreneur and culinary innovator in Jacksonville, Illinois, drawing on her Sicilian heritage and deep family roots in the restaurant industry. As the owner of Nonna Santina’s since 2021, she has dedicated herself to developing and producing authentic Italian sauces inspired by her grandmother Santina’s cherished recipes. After two years of perfecting her signature marinara sauce, Ms. Alfano launched Nonna Santina’s in 2024, overcoming challenges such as sourcing the right bottles and labels and navigating the complexities of food production. Initially seeking manufacturing partners outside Illinois, she ultimately collaborated with Dorina So-Good Inc. in Union, Illinois, which successfully produced her sauce to her specifications on the first attempt.
As part of her many current responsibilities, Ms. Alfano manages all aspects of Nonna Santina’s operations, including recipe development, marketing, product delivery to local stores and restaurants, and building relationships with distributors. She is committed to expanding her product line to include additional family recipes, such as breadcrumbs and marinades. Despite shipping costs for online sales, Ms. Alfano has begun distributing her products locally and is actively pursuing broader partnerships with restaurant distributors.
Ms. Alfano’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2020 with Leo’s Pizza on Wheels, where she served as both manager and operator. This venture allowed her to bring her family’s traditional recipes directly to customers through a mobile platform, further strengthening her connection to the community and providing valuable experience in business management and customer engagement. Before launching these ventures, Ms. Alfano gained foundational experience at Leo’s Pizza in Jacksonville, where she worked as a staff member and later as a manager. Her earlier involvement in the family restaurant instilled within her a strong work ethic and a passion for sharing authentic cuisine.
Ms. Alfano obtained a bachelor’s degree in sociology from an accredited institution, which has provided her with insights into community dynamics and customer relations that have proven invaluable in her business endeavors. She also completed interpreter training in American Sign Language, reflecting her commitment to inclusivity and effective communication.
Beyond her work-related endeavors, Ms. Alfano is civically engaged as a committee member of Jacksonville Main Street, contributing to local economic development initiatives. In light of her hard work and dedication, she was recognized with the Morgan County Marvels Award. Established by the Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the accolade recognizes exceptional products and achievements of community makers and businesses throughout Morgan County.
Ms. Alfano’s success is rooted in the values learned from her family’s nearly 50-year legacy in the restaurant business. The discovery of her grandmother’s handwritten cookbook catalyzed her decision to bring traditional Sicilian recipes to a broader audience through entrepreneurship. She also credits networking and personal connections as key factors in growing her business, often meeting with local vendors face-to-face and offering samples to build lasting partnerships.
Ms. Alfano continues to demonstrate resilience and innovation as she navigates the challenges of entrepreneurship, striving to honor her heritage while making a meaningful impact on her community through culinary excellence. Eager for the future of her restaurant, she remains focused on expanding Nonna Santina’s reach by streamlining shipping processes, establishing partnerships with larger companies and collaborating with distributors serving restaurants to pursue wholesale opportunities. Ms. Alfano is also attentive to evolving market trends and digital platforms that can enhance business growth while maintaining fair pricing for customers.
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