Summer Stanley and her mom, Terri Arnot, our NJ Mompreneurs of the Week, were both at a crossroads when they decided to take a leap of faith. Summer had only recently switched from finance to culinary arts when she and her mom saw a local pizza shop up for sale. With no real experience and just the desire to change up their careers, the two teamed up to buy it and began a mother-daughter journey into entrepreneurship. Fifteen years and thousands of pizzas later, Holy Tomato Pies is the place for pizza in Blackwood, NJ, and it’s not just the delicious food—customers love to kick back in the cool Key West vibe where they can feast on crispy thin-crust pies, crunchy fresh farmer’s salads, and homemade sweet treats. We caught up with Summer, a married Sewell mom to Madelyn, 13, and Jake, 10, to discover how Holy Tomato got its’ name, why they decided to close on Sundays, and where find the best plants and garden accents in South Jersey.
Please tell us a little bit about your family. When I was 16, my whole family moved from Oklahoma to New Jersey, and though my siblings live all over the country now, my mom and I stayed in this area. I live in Sewell, Washington Township, with my husband, Chris, and children, Madelyn, 13, and Jake, 10. This town has such a fantastic community. We also love our neighborhood, the excellent school system here, the fact that there are wonderful kids’ activities nearby, and the fact that it’s close to Philadelphia. We’re just a few minutes from my mom, Terri, who lives in Blackwood, so it’s a win-win for us all.
Please share your career background and what made you launch Holy Tomato. I was working in finance in Philadelphia and decided to leave my job to pursue a career in culinary, and my mom was at a similar crossroads in her life. There was a local pizza place in Blackwood for sale, and with virtually no experience in the industry, we decided to purchase it and jump right in. The previous owner showed us the ropes for about a week or two, and then we were in a sink-or-swim situation. Luckily, we’re both fast learners!
Has your business changed since you first launched it? Just about everything has changed. Fifteen years ago, when we first took over Alfred’s Tomato Pie, we kept the same name for the first year because we couldn’t figure out what it should be. Then, one day, one of our employees shouted, “Holy tomato, Batman,” and we knew we had found the answer. We’ve been Holy Tomato Pies ever since. Also, we’ve grown tremendously. We were just one room with only five tables, and we had a small kitchen and a minimalist menu of just three pizzas, one salad, and one dessert. Over 15 years, we took over the whole building and now have 18 tables and an outdoor covered deck; plus, our menu has expanded to at least 10 base pizzas plus many toppings, several salad options, and a ton of desserts. I’m proud to say that our award-winning key lime pie has a cult-like following.
How do you split up the business’ responsibilities? For the most part, working together has been seamless. My mom was a single mom—we’ve always been extremely close and involved in each other’s lives, and our creativity sparks when we’re together. Since we launched, I’ve had two children, and there have been health issues, a marriage, and moves. No matter what else is going on, work-wise, life still comes at you, so how we split up the business’ responsibilities is an ever-evolving situation. We can continuously adapt and adjust when one of us needs to work more or less.
What makes your business unique? Our BYO pizza place is far from a typical pizza place—people love its fun decorations and homey feel. It has a sort of Key West vibe, and we do extreme seasonal decorations that usually take three business days to put up. We have a fun Betty Boop-themed room, and thanks to my mom’s green thumb, our deck looks like a tropical paradise in the summer. Also, many of our outstanding employees have been with us since day one, which says a lot about what a happy place it is to be. Customers come to celebrate life’s milestone events, including birthdays, engagement parties, bridal and baby showers, and confirmations.
What do you wish you had known when you first launched that might have made things a bit easier initially? If I could do it over, we’d train people to do what we do from day one. This way, you’re never backed into a corner when life throws an emergency your way. Starting out of the gate, we were the only ones who knew how to do certain things, so if one of us was sick or needed to be out for whatever reason, it became a real OMG moment.
Tell us about some of your favorite NJ businesses and local spots and why you love them. The Wildflower Florist in Barrington is fantastic. Our former employee started it, and she has such a unique and remarkable flower style. Bast Brothers Garden Center in Mullica Hill is another favorite–it’s much more than just plants and gardening accessories. They also have the best gifts, pottery, and home items. I also love my yoga studio, Laughing Buddha Hot Yoga, in Washington Township, which is the perfect place to disconnect and feel centered, plus there’s an incredible sense of community there.
What’s your best practical advice for a mompreneur just starting? Prioritizing your family is essential, even if it means scaling back your business a bit. For example, after being in business for 10 years, we decided to close on Sundays, which had always been very busy. That quality family time has been fantastic for us and our employees. It’s also essential to manage your expectations and realize there will be ups and downs—when you’re going through something difficult, remember that it’s just a season, and it will pass.
For more information on Summer Stanley, Terri Arnot, and Holy Tomato, please see their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.