Meet Pollyana D’Agostino | Grazing curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pollyana D’Agostino and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pollyana, what do you attribute your success to?
I still don’t think I’ve reached “success” – to me that’s something you look back on and determine, but in the day-to-day you’re just pushing to do as well as you can and build into tomorrow. But I think (or hope!) the qualities that draw people to Graze Atlanta are qualities that extend from me. I’m present and personality-forward in my business, I nitpick over every little detail, I treat each order as if I’m eating it myself, and I always focus on making it look as good as it tastes while possibly introducing unknown and interesting ingredients to people. I think people see a minority woman offering Graze Atlanta as a genuine extension of herself, which it truly is, and they cheer me on with their business.

All “business” aside, though, the local community’s support does make me feel successful. I have so many appreciative people encouraging me which tells me I’m doing right by them and that’s really important to me.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business was born in the pandemic. I had this new interest in what we know as “grazing” and had plenty of time at home to explore all of my food interests. After making different little boards for family and friends it became apparent I had an eye for it, so while we were all stuck inside I figured I’d share my little home creations on Instagram. Soon enough I had strangers asking if I sold them! Strangers on the internet willing to pay for what I made as a hobby made me realize this could be a good thing that I should follow. So I found a commercial kitchen in Inman Park, right in the middle of my favorite neighborhood, that even has a little pickup window! It’s perfect.

As one could imagine, though, it wasn’t all fun and easy, and I’m proud of figuring out how to set a small business up properly. I’m great at putting a ton of ingredients together to look perfectly Instagram-able, but starting a business was completely new. It was really difficult figuring out all the little things to be “legit”, finding an accountant, setting up bank accounts, etc., but it has set me up to continue this journey properly.

I think what sets me apart is my attention to detail, my open tastes for different foods and cultures, and my ability to shop and figure out where to find everything. I’m really adventurous in what I eat – growing up in Brazil helped – and it translates to my business through all the little interesting things I find tucked away in markets. Also, I’m a firm believer in that we eat with our eyes first so I make sure that everything I do is full, varietal, and as beautiful as it can be. Lastly, as much as I try do deny it sometimes, I don’t like it when I’m not busy, so I try to do as much as I can for my customers to make it perfect. I like to think I take on more than one woman should, but if I have the time to pull through for someone then I want to do it!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Such a loaded question! There are so many neighborhoods in Atlanta that deserve to be seen by a visitor and each offers their own experience that would take more than a week’s time. BUT, a few things regardless of neighborhood come to mind: a picnic in Piedmont Park with Gather Picnic Co would be the cutest. Lotta Frutta or Alon’s for sandwiches during the day, Krog St Market for a bite or a drink, same with Ponce City Market and The Works. The Local for wings. The Optimist for seafood, Eclipse Di Luna for tapas and dancing. We’d have to have a night between downtown Decatur and Oakhurst. And there’s so much on Buford Highway that is worth exploring. Between all the food halls, breweries, parks, the beltline, and all the amazing restaurants around, it truly takes living here with a will to explore to really see this city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, my family, and my close friends have all given more support than I would ever ask for. I have some early supporters who continue being my biggest fans and give me all the encouragement I need whether they know it or not. And while I’ve built my business largely on my own, I found Amanda Kohal (@thewolfe.co) who I’d call my social media mentor – she’s guided me to organize my digital brand and be deliberate with what I’m sharing, she keeps me accountable, and she cheers me on with every new step.

Website: grazeatlanta.com

Instagram: instagram.com/grazeatlanta