We recently had the chance to connect with Darren Loscalzo and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Darren, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
For me, this is the best time of my day. Getting up and going is always great! I usually get up and make breakfast for my family, especially during the week with the kids. I try to drive them to school everyday, it’s kind of like my time with them and to talk about what their day is going to look like… Then I come home and make myself breakfast before planning my day either heading to the store or to our new office.
Weekends I look forward to the kids baseball games or volleyball games.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Darren Loscalzo, the Saltwater CEO… I’ve been blessed to own Backwater Provisions Co. in Safety Harbor. This started from a passion for living and loving Florida and the outdoor lifestyle. After working in the hospitality industry for over 25 years, my wife and I started Backwater Provisions Co, a premium outdoor outfitter in our home town.
We have been providing excellent customer service and high quality brands since 2021. We feel we give a unique experience to our guests with true hospitality, whether we’re just meeting you or have been a regular since day one. We want everyone to feel special, and provide them with the best service and products in the area. We specialize in everything from boating, fishing, paddleboarding, to grilling and smoking in the backyard. Our apparel lines are hand selected and are from amazing partners who care about the outdoors like we do. Our own apparel, which is growing daily, has unique designs and material that really sets apart from other shops.
We are currently franchising our brand and already have Ormond Beach, Fl opened up and have a few more in the works for 2026. At this time we also purchased a candle company, Gulfstream Candle Company which has been making our Backwater Candles that everyone has come to love. We also do a lot of private labels candles with custom scents for other boutiques. These brands all live under the parent company, Coastal Provisions Group.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Honestly, it was a manager of a restaurant that I worked with while I was in college. He believed in me and allowed me to take chances to gain the knowledge I needed to grow. Even when I failed, he was there to pick me up, explain how I could achieve the results I wanted without any repercussions just firm guidance.
This allowed me to take the risk and move to a bigger job, all out of my conform zone. I stayed in that position and grow from that time forward.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to try something and fail. Failing is what help shaped my future and where I’m at today. If you can see your failures as a stepping stone, it will guide you down a path of growth and not sadness.
It took me a long time to realize that, because winning was in stilled in me from when I was a child. Failure has made me grow and in a weird way I’m glad I did. Stronger for it.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I believe so, I have always had a hospitality approach to everything I do. From treating my regulars and customers like friends and family at the restaurants I worked in, to hosting friends and family at my house, hospitality has always been my passion. I believe that it comes from my family, my parents and grandparents who are Italian and that’s just part of our culture. Everything revolves around eating and sitting together at a table. They always had friends, acquaintances and relatives over and we were always feeding them and showing them that food is love. Even though not in the restaurant business anymore, I strive to always show my hospitality to my customers, from helping them find something, providing trust in their purchases and always making them feel like we care. I train my staff for this as well, and we hire based on personality and hospitality, because we can always teach the skill.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I’m a family first kind of guy. My family means everything to me, I got that from my Mom and most people who know my mom will say the same thing. I will always put my family first before anything else. I also hope they will say that I’m a very giving and respectful person. I try to give more than I receive. It gives my joy when I can give to someone else or help someone else. Lastly, I hope they would say that I have a great sense of humor, I love making people laugh, smile or feel good.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://backwaterprovisionsco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backwaterprovisionsco
- Linkedin: Coastal Provisions Group/Backwaterprovisionsco
- Twitter: Backproco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backwaterprovisionsco
- Yelp: Backwater Provisions Co
