November 10, 2000

Riverside Pasta-bility

Growing up Joanika Davis and Nyja Horton had no role models for success, living in the St. Thomas Housing Development. Entrepreeur is not a word that would immediately spring to mind to describe them. But that is what they have become as owners of Riverside Pasta, LLC. Riverside Pasta, a tiny owner-operated enterprise, makes, packages, and sells fresh pasta, ravioli, and savory butters. Envisioning a self-sufficient lifestyle, producing fresh pasta is a dream for Davis and Horton.

"At one time I didn't think I would have much of a futureit gives me a better feeling about myself," Horton said.

Referred to local social service agencies for help in getting off public assistance, they participate in a program of the ECOnomics Institute and the Crescent City Farmers Market.

Because business ownership is particularly rare among public housing residents, the ECOnomics Institute helped Riverside Pasta to be a radical and innovative start to a new future. "My life has changed with Riverside PastaI love it," Davis said.

The 2000 Greenpaper from the ECOnomics Institute Pastabilities: From Public Assistance to Private Enterprise tells their success story.

"It took a great deal of courage for these women to say this isn't a guarantee, but I'm going to invest my time and my future in this business. We've seen them begin to think like entrepreneurs and act like entrepreneurs," says Richard McCarthy, director of the ECOnomics Institute.

The women sell their wares every Tuesday and Saturday at the Cresent City Farmers Market.

Betsy Schmitt, A'01, Intern in the Offices of Public Affairs and Publications