Fun Facts about Steve
- Mike Tyson once saved me from getting beat up
- Bat left. Throw right.
- Softball and baseball coach
- Voted the best dad in the world by my kids
Steve Fortunato
Founder and President of Shovel The Sidewalk
I’ve spent more than 35 years writing stories and connecting people.
While selling radio advertising I fell in love with the concept of helping small business owners grow their businesses. I quickly realized the best thing I could do for my clients was to help humanize their brands by utilizing storytelling and the power of sound.
As a journalist, I wrote stories to inform and entertain. As a marketer, I write stories to persuade (and eventually sell). My journalism background taught me to ask questions until answers are given that best tell the story in a way that will emotionally connect people together.
My mom was an accomplished watercolor artist. I learned from her that the best thing you can be as an artist is to be yourself. Some will like it and others won’t. Focus on those that do. At Shovel, we apply that philosophy to the art form of storytelling.
We believe it’s best to let the stories develop authentically. We encourage our clients to tell their stories in their own words—no scripts allowed. If we are working on an employer brand for recruitment and retention we let employees tell their stories in their unique ways. It’s a more labor-intensive approach to building a brand but it’s the best way to connect with the community.
Fun Facts about Steve
- Mike Tyson once saved me from getting beat up
- Bat left. Throw right.
- Softball and baseball coach
- Voted the best dad in the world by my kids
Fun Facts About Jamie:
- I practice martial arts – Judo and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
- I enjoy producing music using old vinyl records and drum machines
- My favorite color is purple
Jamie Catania
Director of Audio and Visual at Shovel The Sidewalk
I believe in the power and persuasion of sound.
I’ve always had a passion for music, which actually led me down the path of sales and marketing. Growing up in Buffalo, New York, I was surrounded by local businesses and promoters who were looking for ways to promote their events and engage with their audiences. That’s when I realized connecting people and helping companies achieve their goals was a challenge worth pursuing.
I may be considered “old school” by some, but I firmly believe that direct phone calls and face-to-face conversations are the best ways to build trust and rapport. There’s nothing quite like the personal touch of human interaction, and I make it a point to prioritize these connections in my work.
I find joy in uniting individuals who resonate with similar interests and aspirations. Along my journey, I’ve had the privilege of forming genuine, enduring bonds with both customers and colleagues. These connections, which I hold dear, reflect a simple truth: The beauty of meaningful relationships lies in the humility and authenticity we bring to them.
Fun Facts About Jamie:
- I practice martial arts – Judo and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
- I enjoy producing music using old vinyl records and drum machines
- My favorite color is purple
Fun facts about Cherisse:
I enjoy…
- Spending time with my husband and two girls
- Working out
- Cooking up new recipes
- Singing karaoke at any given chance.
Cherisse Fortunato
Brand Strategist at Shovel The Sidewalk
I watched Shovel the Sidewalk develop from an idea talked about at the kitchen table into a real, live company. Over the years, my role has increased, and I love being a part of this team. It’s truly gratifying when we work with a client to help bring its company brand to life. Every business has a story. Every business has a why. It just takes the right words to tell it.
Fun facts about Cherisse:
I enjoy…
- Spending time with my husband and two girls
- Working out
- Cooking up new recipes
- Singing karaoke at any given chance.
Fun facts about Tim:
- I won my high school beauty pageant.
- I went into COVID lockdown with my girlfriend, 3 months after meeting her. We are now married.
- Eddie Vedder once wore my best friend’s flannel, which I bought him for Christmas, off stage after we threw it at him.
Tim Gallivan
Account Executive at Shovel The Sidewalk
Even though Cheers is a forty-year-old show, people still want to go to a place “where everyone knows your name.” Human beings crave being recognized as a person rather than just a potential sale. Being a part of a community still resonates with people and when they have the opportunity to know who is behind the business, a connection to that community feeling is made.
My goal throughout my career has been to pull back the curtains on small business owners and find out what they are passionate about. Unearthing the stories of motivation behind someone starting a business can humanize the brand and allow for a more emotional connection to develop between the customer and business.
I have always been driven by creativity. Whether that was a childhood of building with LEGO or taking creative writing and poetry in my college years, I always like to find ways to make something for someone including a unique approach. I aim to merge creativity with the idea of humanizing the brand, so that potential customers may also find out if a fellow LEGO builder is behind the counter.
Fun facts about Tim:
- I won my high school beauty pageant.
- I went into COVID lockdown with my girlfriend, 3 months after meeting her. We are now married.
- Eddie Vedder once wore my best friend’s flannel, which I bought him for Christmas, off stage after we threw it at him.
