Gina Calder, Owner, Michael’s New York Style Pizza: “Stay true to yourself!”

Photography by Miguel Barajas

Seasonal specials are important to Gina and her staff; they love using the finest local produce and ingredients to create them. Each month their menus feature exciting new seasonal items in all food and beverage categories including pizzas, beers, wines and cocktails. “We are always evolving and staying creative to ensure that we go above and beyond peoples’ expectations,” she said, revealing one of her keys to success. To that end, she has recently added a game room that provides a variety of arcade games for kids to enjoy.

Community Support
Ask any staff or managers of Michael’s New York Style Pizza and they will tell you how committed Gina is to collaborating with local businesses and groups. Her passion is fueled by a sense of community and her personal awareness of the battles and challenges that come with being a small business owner. In addition to local Little League events, they regularly work with the Stockton Kings, Delta College Athletics, UOP Athletics, Stockton Ports baseball and Stockton Cargo Women’s Professional Soccer team. Whatever the occasion, Gina and the Michael’s team are all in. “It’s really important that we take these actions in order to support locals and live by our values,” she explained.

Gina is clear that two foundational elements of success are consistency and flexibility. “Our customers really love us for our consistent quality and that’s something I truly pride myself on. Despite fluctuations in the cost of ingredients, we never cut corners or change our recipes in response to increased expenses. Another tool that we use frequently is my favorite word, ‘pivot,’ because things change all the time: the economy, the community, food prices, so we just roll with whatever changes come our way. Remaining flexible is one of the keys to success as a professional,” she elaborated.

Committed to Teamwork
As with any small, long-lived business, there have been obstacles to overcome. “I do notice that I am treated a little differently because I’m a woman, but I just laugh about that,” she confided. As a restaurant owner, she has bigger fish to fry. Staying afloat during the pandemic was one challenging achievement and now increased expenses are another reality she chooses to meet head on. Minimum wage went up, their insurance doubled in the past year and the rising cost of ingredients all led Gina back again to her favorite word, pivot. “I’m scrappy,” she said, “and what I mean by that is that I’m resilient, tenacious and brave. I have to be because I!m responsible for 45 people and I take that to heart. Whatever is going on, whatever is needed, I’ll figure it out.” It’s definitely a big responsibility but Gina is committed and affirmed, “I feel honored to have their backs.”

As a business owner and leader, Gina says that if she were to offer any professional advice it would be this, “It’s imperative to stay true to yourself. Who I am personally is who I am professionally, doing the right thing for the right reason, no exceptions. It’s just who I am. I always say, ‘We work together; we are a team.’ I never say, ‘These people work for me.’ And I would never ask them to do something I wouldn’t do myself. I am one of the team and you always need to walk alongside your team to lead effectively,” she explained.

That outlook and style of leadership seem to be appreciated by her team, many of whom have been there 18 to 20 years. “It’s a testament to who we are as a group,” she said of their longevity. “Everybody here is respectful of one another and cares about each other, and really, we all take care of each other.” That said, she’s no pushover, and added, “I don’t tolerate shenanigans. I just don’t.” Describing herself as “stern and strict,” Gina admits she had to learn good boundaries the hard way but it’s a clarity she is glad to have.

A great source of inspiration for Gina, throughout her career, is her family. “I have some pretty phenomenal people in my family who I try to emulate because I really admire them. And I want them to be proud of me!” she smiled. In November, Michael’s New York Style Pizza will celebrate its 46th year in business. Gina is as enthusiastic as ever about the restaurant and summed up her experience. “Being in business is an honor and I feel blessed and grateful every day. I have no regrets!”

Visit michaelspizzacafe.com or call 209-462-6668 to learn more.