20 Under 40: Nori Minicilli

Meet Nori Minicilli, 38, owner of Minco Wholesale & Supply and one of our 20 Under 40 Class of 2023 recipients

AFTER SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL years working in medical device sales, Nori Minicilli launched Minco Wholesale & Supply in 2020 with the goal of helping companies create safe and healthy work environments for their employees during one of the most unprecedented times in history. Starting from his garage, it wasn’t long before the business expanded to commercial facilities, and eventually moved into a 4,500-square-foot warehouse and office on Hubrey Road. Now employing more than 10 people, Minco continues to grow exponentially, and services over 3,000 clients across Canada.

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What would you say is your single biggest business achievement, and why?

Starting a new business, in a new city during the beginning of the pandemic. It turned out to be an opportunity — both to build my reputation and grow the trust of our customers by offering our supply services during unprecedented times. I was able to bring many products to market that were nearly impossible to source elsewhere; we supplied thousands of ­businesses and residents locally and throughout Canada, providing them with things they needed to run their day-to-day operations. We launched a strong ecommerce presence as well, with our products available for purchase on our website, as well as on Amazon and Walmart marketplace, providing a vast array of health, safety and janitorial products to service the healthcare, agriculture, food service, hospitality and ­industrial business sectors.

Who, or what, was your biggest influence in business?

My family, especially my grandmother who emigrated from Italy to Windsor in the early 1950s. She was instrumental early in her life in creating jobs for a fulfilling and successful life for many other Italian immigrants. She created and managed various business ventures until she was in her seventies, and she instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in me at a young age and I have been inspired to carry on her legacy. Her entrepreneurship is a source of inspiration, and a reminder that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible.

An old friend is coming to visit London — where are you taking them out to eat?

Rico’s Pizzeria. Rico’s is a gem of a pizzeria in South London. They are close to our Minco Supply office, and it has now become ‘the spot’ that we often visit with our work crew, family and friends.

What’s the best movie or show you’ve watched this year?

Tetris. The background and ­marketing blueprint behind the game’s release with ­Nintendo is amazing. One of my favorite movies of the year. Interview by Kieran Delamont