What is your name?
Francesca Montillo
What is your title?
Owner & Founder
What is your business name?
Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures
What is your website URL?
www.thelazyitalian.com
What is your Instagram handle?
@lazyitalianculinaryadventures
What is your LinkedIn URL?
linkedin.com/in/francesca-montillo
How long have you been a Boston Business Women member?
Since 2017
Where are you based? How did you end up there?
Medford, MA & Italy
Tell us more about your company! What do you do and what pushed you to start?
I launched Lazy Italian Culinary Adventures in 2016 while working full-time as a healthcare director. My business leads immersive food and wine tours to Italy, allowing travelers to deeply experience the local culture, cuisine, and way of life. I meet the artisans behind local products and focus on authentic experiences. The idea had been with me since my 20s, but turning 40 gave me the push to finally pursue it.
What is your definition of success? How do you know when you’ve reached it?
Success is doing what you love while fully supporting yourself. I knew I had reached it when I could leave my full-time job and earn a comparable or higher income from my business doing what I love.
Tell us about your most transformational moment as an entrepreneur?
When I told my full-time employer, “I quit,” and felt no anxiety at all. That moment marked the full commitment to my business and my passion.
What was one of your biggest challenges in business?
COVID was the toughest challenge. For two years, I couldn’t travel or lead tours. However, I pivoted by offering hundreds of Zoom cooking classes, publishing two additional cookbooks, and building new connections.
How do you handle the harder days?
I remind myself of the tours and experiences I will create for Italy in the future, knowing the work I do has a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
How has being a Boston Business Women Inner Circle member positively influenced your life + business?
BBW has given me valuable connections and insights. I learn from the experiences shared in the group, providing guidance and feedback to others, and benefiting from the collective wisdom of the community.
Tell us about your most proud moment in your career.
Selling out all my 2022 tours after two years of no travel due to COVID. It was incredibly rewarding to see the business bounce back and thrive, and 2023 trips are on track to sell out as well!
Who is the woman behind your business? What does she like? How does she spend her free time? What does she value?
I am determined, focused, and organized. I love cooking and baking, value family time, alone time, and moments with my dog, Trixie.
What makes you stand out from others in your field? What do you do differently?
I’m a native Italian, offering authentic insights into the culture and cuisine. I focus exclusively on food and wine, run small immersive tours staying in one destination for a week, and handle every detail of the trip. My approach prioritizes quality, connection, and deep cultural experiences over quantity or generic travel itineraries.
Where can we keep up with you? What social media platforms do you use the most?
Mostly Facebook: facebook.com/lazyitalian
Also on Instagram: @lazyitalianculinaryadventures