Women Making Moves in the Bev-Alc Industry
An interview with Marcella McManus, Owner of Giuliano’s Deli
Can you share a bit about your journey in the industry?
I started in this industry about 2 1/2 years ago when my husband and I purchased Giuliano’s from the previous owners. Giuliano’s is our neighborhood deli and carryout beer spot, and for years we walked to the Deli every Friday night to fill a growler or pick out some other fun beer to enjoy over the weekend. When we heard the owners were retiring and selling the business, we were worried about what would happen to this beloved local spot. Running a beer shop and deli had never been part of my wildest dreams, but there is a lot of food business in my family, and I love local craft beer so it felt like something we should explore. As it turns out, the deli is the perfect combination of my experience and interests.
Have you had any mentors throughout your journey? In the future, would you ever want to be a mentor?
Rose Giuliano, who previously owned and ran the deli, has been extremely helpful to me as I’ve learned on the job over the past few years. When we took over, my first goal was to preserve the incredible business she and her brother Tony built. There is no way we could have done that without their support. As far as mentoring others, definitely! If I can play a role in helping others grow, I’m happy to do that.
Do you feel that you have the respect of men in the industry?
On the whole, yes. Though I focus more on my own self-respect. If I can respect myself, I hope it makes me more resilient when faced with a man (or woman) who might look down on me.
Did you ever feel that you had to prove yourself as a woman in the industry?
If my husband and I are both talking beer with someone, whether it be with a sales rep or a customer, I’ve noticed that people tend to address him as the beer drinker/buyer. (To be fair, he is the one who first taught me to appreciate craft beer.) But at this point in our journey, I think we are pretty well matched in terms of knowledge. And I’m actually the one deciding what we bring into the store these days.
What advice would you give to women looking to get into the industry?
Respect yourself and your abilities, remain open to feedback, and do what you enjoy. If this is what makes your heart sing, pursue that joy!
Is there a woman in the industry (or outside of it) who has inspired you?
My mom. While she did not enjoy beer, her imprint is all over how I run this business. She and my dad started their own food business when I was seven. In the same way Matt and I are working, she developed and ran that business in its beginning years, while my dad kept his previous job. She died about a year before we purchased Giuliano’s, and reflecting on her legacy was pivotal for me in developing the courage to walk forward into something big and new. I still think of her often and wish I could talk over business things with her. She was the hardest worker I know. She was delighted to care for people, and she made work fun. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have learned from her leadership.
What’s one thing people might not know about your role in the industry?
I find that my role is really all about people. The business relies upon the network of relationships I’m building. Whether with sales reps, local suppliers, brewers, customers, or even with my own team – these relationships are so important. Happily, this is one of my favorite aspects of this job!
If you could share a beer with any woman in history, who would it be and why?
I think I’d choose Madeleine L’Engle. I love reading and have particularly enjoyed her non-fiction. For a long time she was frustrated in her career and she did the hard work of following her path, regardless of success (though it did eventually come). She was also a wife and a mother and valued each of these roles, while also fully investing in her writing. She and her husband also ran a local general store in their small town – which I found surprising. So much to talk about!
What trends are you excited about in beer?
I love the movement towards local craft! We live in such a great area and are lucky to be surrounded by so many small breweries turning out great beer. While there will always be something special about enjoying beer from the best breweries around the country and the world, I love celebrating the craft coming from the Greater Philadelphia area.