A few years back I ran into Armondo Pavone at Liberty Café.

It was right around the time when the economy had gone nuclear and he was carrying a box that held a few sandwiches wrapped in cellophane with the familiar Armondo logo.

For a moment I was tempted to feel sorry for him; it was a far cry from the successful restaurateur of two busy restaurants in downtown Renton.

But at the same time I was impressed by his tenacity. It was clear that when the chips were down, and despite all his past successes, Armondo does not give up easily.

And, I had no doubt he would figure it out. Clearly he has.

As many know he is running for City Council.

As a business leader, Armondo has advised many small business owners in Renton over the years on how to fill their “backpack” on the road to success.

I first heard of Armondo’s “backpack analogy” years ago through my sister, Cheryl Danza, when she first opened CD Danza Salon & Spa in downtown Renton 13 years ago.

He coached my sister on tools to fill up her personal “backpack:” books to read, a good business plan, etc.

But I have never forgotten a piece of advice that he gave her, “Never throw egg in someone’s face.” Especially now with the insanity going on with the government it seems very fortuitous that Armondo would value the importance of taking the high road as a tool for success.

I have no doubt that Armondo has all the tools to be an excellent city councilman.

He believes in people, whether it’s a hairdresser with big ideas of turning an old Napa Auto parts store in downtown Renton into a beautiful salon, or an artist who dreamed of opening a unique craft store, or a white guy with long dreads who wanted a place where people could gather around a cup of Joe, or me, a mom with an entourage of kids who dreams of a cooking with kids TV show…it doesn’t matter who you are, Armondo sees value in big dreams, hard work and community.

So he can add my support to his backpack!

Carolyn Ossorio,
Renton