SDU graduates create their own Mediterranean-inspired pie shop
Antonia Perdikari and Gianmarco Coricciati are behind The Pie Project. For the couple, running their own business is a constant learning process. But their studies at SDU have provided perspectives, networks and theory that are helping them on their way.
By Asta Holst Bach
Antonia Perdikari and Gianmarco Coricciati have always known that one day they would start their own business. The two met in Odense and became a couple while they were both studying at SDU. Antonia Perdikari was studying an MSc in Global Marketing and Consumer Culture and Gianmarco Coricciati was studying to become an engineer.
Not long after Antonia Perdikari had completed her master’s degree at SDU in 2020, and while Gianmarco Coricciati was still studying on his bachelor’s degree, the couple started developing ideas. They wanted to open their own shop.
One year later, in November 2021, their shared dream came true. The two SDU graduates opened The Pie Project in Odense.
A continuous learning process
Antonia Perdikari is from Greece and Gianmarco Coricciati from Italy. In The Pie Project, they combine the food traditions of their home countries and make pies inspired by Italian and Greek cuisine. Customers can either buy the pies to-go or enjoy them in the shop at one of the café tables, along with a cup of coffee.
The Pie Project is located in the small alley of Vintapperstræde in the centre of Odense. Inside, the end wall has been painted a sunny yellow, and the smell of fresh coffee fills the rectangular room.
Antonia Perdikari is standing at a kitchen table, cutting strawberries into small wedges. The fruit will decorate the chocolate pie she is baking. Behind the counter, Gianmarco Coricciati turns up the radio before pouring freshly ground coffee into a large Italian espresso machine.
On a quiet morning like this, life as a self-employed business owner seems simple. But for the young couple, building up and running The Pie Project is a continuous learning process.
- Every day can bring a new and unforeseen challenge that we haven’t faced before. We’re always learning something new, and the important thing is to be proactive – to anticipate problems before they arise, says Gianmarco Coricciati.
- You have to be prepared for anything and constantly ask yourself the question: ‘what do you do if...?’ But even though it can be stressful, these situations are also where we learn the most, says Antonia Perdikari.
Combines disciplines
Gianmarco Coricciati has a bachelor’s degree in Product Development and Innovation, which is an engineering degree that combines technical skills with business understanding. Antonia Perdikari’s education, MSc in Global Marketing and Consumer Culture, provides a broad understanding of markets, communication and culture.
Their academic backgrounds enable the couple to solve most tasks in the shop on their own, says Antonia Perdikari:
- We complement each other. The knowledge we each bring from our studies can be used in our work with The Pie Project.
When the shop was being refurbished, Gianmarco Coricciati was able to draw on his academic knowledge from the engineering programme. He drew sketches of the room, calculated the optimal layout and chose the appropriate technical equipment.
Antonia Perdikari’s knowledge of consumer culture is an advantage for the couple when it comes to developing a marketing strategy. In addition, she is responsible for selecting the products they sell so that they match the customers’ preferences.
Network is an engine
The couple’s time at the University has first and foremost given them a network, a network that has been crucial for them in working with their startup. -
On my study programme, there is a strong focus on entrepreneurship, and I worked on various startup projects while I was studying. That’s where I learned how important it is to have a network, because it takes help and feedback from others to turn an idea into reality. For me, SDU was a good place to build that network, says Gianmarco Coricciati.
- The most important thing I have taken with me from SDU is the personal relationships. Both with my lecturers and my fellow students, who really inspired me and whom I admire. The University was a place where I could develop ideas while also being challenged academically and sharpening my critical thinking, says Antonia Perdikari.
The network from the University has been a driving force for the development of The Pie Project, because the couple has received help and feedback. And Antonia Perdikari and Gianmarco Coricciati agree that they could not have put their idea into practice without precisely that sparring.
A successful experiment
The two young entrepreneurs dream of expanding with another shop in Odense and are currently in the process of hiring more staff.
- We think a lot about the potential of The Pie Project in the long term, and we would like to upscale at some point, says Antonia Perdikari and elaborates:
- On the one hand, it’s a bit of an experiment and we make mistakes. But on the other hand, we can also see that much of what we do actually works.
Meet the two entrepreneurs and hear more about The Pie Project in this video
Good advice for other entrepreneurs from Antonia and Gianmarco
1: Build a network.
A network is crucial for you to succeed with a startup. Even if your idea looks good on paper, it requires sparring and support from others to make it a reality.
2: Talk to others about your idea.
Accept criticism from others, because it helps to make your idea and your project much better.
3: Be prepared for challenges.
Many things can go wrong when you start on your own. It’s frustrating, but it teaches you to be proactive and prevent problems before they arise.