Benjamin Circosta, Founder and CEO of Bippi, has been making waves with his “nonna-approved” range of chilli condiments, olive tapenades, and salsa verde. Inspired by his Nonna Emilia’s traditional recipes and a passion for authentic Italian flavours, Ben launched Bippi during the COVID-19 lockdown. What began as a family-rooted passion project quickly gained popularity, bringing a taste of Italy to kitchens across Australia and beyond. This feature highlights yet another EO Melbourne member turning a love for tradition into a thriving brand.
Let’s explore Ben's journey, his insights into building a successful FMCG brand, and how Bippi has carved out its place in a competitive market. Here's what he had to share about the story behind Bippi and his vision for its future.
Q: Can you provide a brief background about yourself, your family, and your business?
I’m Ben, the founder of Bippi. I grew up in Mildura, Victoria, on a small farm next to my grandparents. My early life was enriched by Italian homemade and homegrown food, particularly through my Nonna Emilia, who migrated from Calabria to Australia in 1955. She brought with her traditional family recipes, including one for a chilli condiment the family would call Bippi. After working in the corporate world and studying commerce, I decided to turn my passion for Italian food into a business. Bippi creates chilli-based condiments that blend authentic Italian flavors with fresh Australian produce. We started making our products in my family kitchen, and now Bippi is available in over 1,500 stores across Australia.
Q: What inspired you to be an entrepreneur?
The inspiration to become an entrepreneur stemmed from my deep connection to my family’s food traditions and a desire to share them with a broader audience. During the COVID-19 lockdown, I was reminded of my Nonna Emilia’s homemade chilli when my mother bought a similar product which was imported from Italy. This nostalgic moment, coupled with my desire to have a business of my own, led me to recreate her recipe and start-up a business. I wanted to celebrate my Italian heritage and bring a high-quality, authentic product to the market.
Q: What aspects of being an entrepreneur do you enjoy the most?
I find the most joy in bringing my family’s tradition to life and seeing it resonate with others. The creative process of developing new products, the satisfaction of seeing Bippi on store shelves, and connecting with customers who appreciate the quality and authenticity of our condiments are incredibly rewarding. I also value the opportunity to build and lead a team, fostering a culture that reflects our brand’s values and commitment to quality.
Q: What significant challenges have you encountered as an entrepreneur?
One of the major challenges has been scaling the business while maintaining the high quality of our products. Balancing growth with manufacturing quality control, managing supply chain complexities, and competing with mass-produced condiments are ongoing hurdles.
Also finding the right balance of work, family and personal whilst scaling a business has been a challenge.
Q: What motivated you to join EO?
I joined Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) to connect with other like-minded entrepreneurs, gain insights from their experiences, and access valuable resources that can help accelerate the growth of Bippi. I’m eager to learn from a community of individuals who understand the challenges of entrepreneurship and to leverage their collective wisdom to navigate my own business journey more effectively.
Q: Can you share a valuable lesson you’ve learned from your own experience or from another entrepreneur or mentor?
One valuable lesson I’ve learned is the importance of staying true to your core values and vision, even as you scale and face various pressures. In a competitive market, maintaining authenticity and quality is crucial. Additionally, listening to feedback and being adaptable are essential for growth. A mentor once shared with me that success often comes from perseverance and the ability to pivot when necessary, and I’ve found this to be true in my own entrepreneurial journey.