Making it in the restaurant business is demanding and time consuming. Doing it while working toward a degree is even more challenging. That makes Tino Procaccini's success story special.
     A few years ago Tino teamed with his brother John '97 (mgmt.), and friend Rob Kaiser '97 (acctng.) to establish the La Borgatta restaurant in Princeton, which they renamed La Principessa this year.
     For his efforts, Tino, a senior business administration major, was named the 2001 New Jersey Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year and the East Coast Collegiate Entrepreneur of the Year at an awards dinner on May 9 at Fairleigh Dickinson University. In 2000, Tino placed second in the state competition.
     This award is especially meaningful to Ron Cook, associate professor of management and director of Rider’s Small Business Institute (SBI), because all three have been involved in the College of Business Administration's entrepreneurial studies program in addition to their majors. John and Rob served as one of Cook's student SBI consulting teams. Cook has also nominated Tino for the entrepreneurial award the last two years.
     "Winning the East Coast title is great news," Cook said. "What this means is that Tino's restaurant was viewed as the best success story of a collegiate entrepreneur in four states. He now moves on to the North American competition in St. Louis in November. The North American competition represents the best of Canada, the United States and Mexico."
     For 2001, the New Jersey Collegiate Entrepreneur expanded to include New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Delaware.
     Each state recognizes first and second-place winners. Winners are awarded $1,000 and $500, respectively. In addition, the judges decide on an overall East Coast winner and that person receives an additional $1,000.
     Tino plans to donate $1,000 back to SBI and entrepreneurial studies programs because of what they have meant to his business.
     When he first enrolled at Rider, Tino matriculated full-time in the business program. However, the demands of the business caused him to take courses on a part-time basis through the College of Continuing Studies.