2007 40 Under 40 Honoree: Kemmi Rusciano

Kemmi Rusciano wears two very different hats professionally.

“As director of marketing for The Payroll Co., I am responsible for sales growth and marketing of the company, a full-service payroll bureau,” she said. “In just over three years, I have succeeded in growing the business by 250 percent.”

She is also, however, an entrepreneur, and though she’s already founded and sold two businesses, she has now launched a third startup company, Ellie-berry Pie LLC, a party-and-celebration concept aimed at girls ages 4–10.

“Designed to be the ultimate princess experience, Ellie-berry Pie is a turnkey solution for parents who want their young daughters’ birthday to be everything they’ve dreamt of, but they don’t know where to start,” Rusciano said, noting that she plans to franchise the concept.

Rusciano said Ellie-berry Pie primarily was inspired by volunteer work with girls during the summer of 2006 in the Boys and Girls Town’s Changing Prisms program. That volunteer experience, coupled with the fact that Rusciano is the single working mother of two daughters, Giulia and Elena, led her to start the company.

“As a successful woman in business, with no apologies for my femininity, I want all girls to be proud to celebrate being female,” she said. “In this way, I will be donating parties to underprivileged girls to ensure that celebrations like this are not reserved only for the most fortunate.”

Her other community involvement includes Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Advisory Council and Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization for which she provides a unique perspective.

“Both of my daughters are in the program and have Big Sisters,” she said. “Our family is a product of the system, if you will. I believe in the power of this program.”

Stats

Position: Marketing Director, The Payroll Co., and Owner, Ellie-berry Pie LLC

Age: 37

Favorite professional sports team: “I love the whole arena experience of attending a game, but I don’t have any loyalties to a team or sport.”

A quote to live by: “Eyes ahead, companions: Life is Now.” – Jonathan Galassi

Information accurate at the time of the honor.