In today’s episode of Uncooked, I’m sitting down with Gioel and Ronni Molinari, founders of Autostrada—a boutique car storage and social club in Westport, CT. It started as a simple idea: a safe, stylish spot for vehicle storage. But then… plot twist… it morphed into a buzzing social club, where car enthusiasts gather in an exceptional space that allows vehicles to be appreciated as art.

In this chat, we explore the journey behind Autostrada’s inception. And spoiler alert: This isn’t a story about cars—it’s a business story about rethinking what a niche market can become when you expand the brand’s value beyond just one service.

Episode highlights:
A masterclass in adaptability: How they swerved when life threw a curveball, crushing the original business plan.
More than a building: How real relationships are formed using cars as the backdrop.
Premium programming rules: How weekend rallies, Kate’s cocktails, and Esme’s cappuccinos ensure member engagement stays at an all-time high.

Grab your headphones, buckle up, and get ready for a ride through grit, gumption, and the art of turning storage into something spectacular.



About our Guests: 

Gioel Molinari is a technology entrepreneur and former President of Butterfly Network. He began his career in industrial automation and was then founder, president and CTO of ClariFI Inc., a software platform to simplify quantitative equity investing. ClariFI was acquired by S&P Capital IQ in 2007. Subsequently Molinari held senior product and technology leadership roles at Bloomberg LP and Bridgewater Associates. Mr. Molinari holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.

Ronni Molinari is an architectural designer with over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial projects across South Florida, New York, and Connecticut. Recently, she has focused on consulting as an owner’s representative, overseeing workplace design, facilities coordination, and construction management. Since 2020, Ronni has also been leading Autostrada Westport, a passion project with her husband Gioel, creating a unique car storage facility and social club in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The space integrates a member lounge, office, and event areas, allowing vehicles to be appreciated as art. Outside of work, Ronni is a proud mother of three sons and enjoys spending time outdoors with her golden retriever.



If you’re a brand looking for market differentiation but don’t know where to begin, this is what the host specializes in. Contact Jacqueline Lieberman at her marketing consultancy www.brandcrudo.com or jacqueline@brandcrudo.com.

In today’s episode of Uncooked, I’m sitting down with Gioel and Ronni Molinari, founders of Autostrada—a boutique car storage and social club in Westport, CT. It started as a simple idea: a safe, stylish spot for vehicle storage. But then… plot twist… it morphed into a buzzing social club, where car enthusiasts gather in an exceptional space that allows vehicles to be appreciated as art.
In this chat, we explore the journey behind Autostrada’s inception. And spoiler alert: This isn’t a story about cars—it’s a business story about rethinking what a niche market can become when you expand the brand’s value beyond just one service.
Episode highlights:
<ul>
<li>A masterclass in adaptability: How they swerved when life threw a curveball, crushing the original business plan.</li>
<li>More than a building: How real relationships are formed using cars as the backdrop.</li>
<li>Premium programming rules: How weekend rallies, Kate’s cocktails, and Esme’s cappuccinos ensure member engagement stays at an all-time high.</li>
</ul>
Grab your headphones, buckle up, and get ready for a ride through grit, gumption, and the art of turning storage into something spectacular.
 
About our Guests: 
Gioel Molinari is a technology entrepreneur and former President of Butterfly Network. He began his career in industrial automation and was then founder, president and CTO of ClariFI Inc., a software platform to simplify quantitative equity investing. ClariFI was acquired by S&amp;P Capital IQ in 2007. Subsequently Molinari held senior product and technology leadership roles at Bloomberg LP and Bridgewater Associates. Mr. Molinari holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Ronni Molinari is an architectural designer with over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial projects across South Florida, New York, and Connecticut. Recently, she has focused on consulting as an owner’s representative, overseeing workplace design, facilities coordination, and construction management. Since 2020, Ronni has also been leading Autostrada Westport, a passion project with her husband Gioel, creating a unique car storage facility and social club in Fairfield County, Connecticut. The space integrates a member lounge, office, and event areas, allowing vehicles to be appreciated as art. Outside of work, Ronni is a proud mother of three sons and enjoys spending time outdoors with her golden retriever.
 
If you’re a brand looking for market differentiation but don’t know where to begin, this is what the host specializes in. Contact Jacqueline Lieberman at her marketing consultancy <a href="http://www.brandcrudo.com">www.brandcrudo.com</a> or jacqueline@brandcrudo.com.

Make your marketing brain bigger. The Uncooked podcast provides raw marketing insights to inspire the people responsible for the messages we consume. Whether you're a leader looking to shift your marketing to match new business priorities or rally your team behind a singular idea, this podcast is your guide to untangling brand complexities that stall the best of companies.

Make your marketing brain bigger. The Uncooked podcast provides raw marketing insights to inspire the people responsible for the messages we consume. Whether you're a leader looking to shift your marketing to match new business priorities or rally your team behind a singular idea, this podcast is your guide to untangling brand complexities that stall the best of companies.

Uncooked

Make your marketing brain bigger. The Uncooked podcast provides raw marketing insights to inspire the people responsible for the messages we consume. Whether you're a leader looking to shift your marketing to match new business priorities or rally your team behind a singular idea, this podcast is your guide to untangling brand complexities that stall the best of companies. 

Make your marketing brain bigger. The Uncooked podcast provides raw marketing insights to inspire the people responsible for the messages we consume. Whether you're a leader looking to shift your marketing to match new business priorities or rally your team behind a singular idea, this podcast is your guide to untangling brand complexities that stall the best of companies.

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