Supplement Safety Changing the Face of School ... - Curry College

Littlefield has never really shown anyinterest in lowering his stakes. In 1998,he opened that first “Salsa’s” in SouthBoston. It might seem like a strangeplace to open a Mexican restaurant.But, to Littlefield it made perfect sensefrom a business perspective.“At the time in South Boston therewas really nothing other than pizzashops, pubs and Chinese restaurants,”Littlefield says. “That along with thefact that I always loved Mexican foodreally fueled the idea.”family along the way. In the earlydays he would often work aroundthe clock, sometimes joined by hiswife Rosemary after she finished herregular, full-time job.“That really was a support that a guylike me, or anybody needs duringmoments as they grow a business andbuild a business. They need to havereally supportive people around themand they need to have understandingpeople around them.”“You can get anything done if you make thecommitment. No matter what you’re doing, it’snot about that moment, it’s about that momentfive years from now and where you want to be.”– David Littlefield ’91Just like his other ventures, Littlefieldtook steps to ensure his success. Thatincluded hiring Mexican native MariaCidello as his Executive Chef, andgiving her free reign to create a menuof tasty and authentic dishes. All thepieces for success were in place, butLittlefield still remembers openingthat first “Salsa’s” as a terrifying, butultimately rewarding gamble.“You transition from survival mode—starting your business to just runningyour business. The first year it wasunbelievable,” Littlefield says. “Therewas one day I almost walked to thedoor and locked it. I got half waythrough the dining room and said Ican’t do it, I have to stay open. Whenyou’re struggling to build something,in the moments of duress you can’t doanything in that moment to changethat moment. You need to live foranother day.”Littlefield also knows how luckyhe has been to have a supportiveLittlefield is a businessman, but he isalso a bit of a showman. That’s clearto see when he steps behind the grilloutside “Salsa’s” and begins cookingup some sausages. He grabs his tongs(Littlefield claims he feels nakedwithout them anytime he’s next to thecart) and then the stories start flowing.He recalls the time then-gubernatorialcandidate Mitt Romney visited his cartin the middle of the 2002 election.Then there’s the time Littlefield hauledhis cart past security and up to thetop floor of Boston’s Federal ReserveBuilding.He even reveals the injuries he’sreceived over the years: a torn rotatorcuff and tendinitis in his left elbow—the arm he always uses to cook hissausage.“It was crazy. Opening Day [in 2012]for the first time in my life my armwas destroyed,” Littlefield says. “Forthe first time if I had needed to go the18 | CURRY COLLEGE MAGAZINE SPRING 2013