Meet Rosario Mannino of RS Mannino
Meet Rosario Mannino of RS Mannino
Rosario Mannino is a busy architect, husband and father of two young girls with an entrepreneurial spirit, who runs a growing architecture and home building empire.
TSGBC: Would you share with us the story behind RS Mannino?
Rosario: My passion for the construction business started at an early age. I enjoyed working summers and weekends for my neighbor who was an old-school general contractor. He did everything from stone masonry to building custom kitchen cabinets. By 5th grade, I realized that I not only enjoyed being a part of the building process but I also enjoyed designing. I knew I wanted to do both and always saw myself restoring old houses and building new homes. I worked for some of the most prominent architects and builders after college to gain experience before starting RS Mannino (Rosario Sebastiano Mannino). When I turned 35, I experienced many life changes– I was newly married, my wife was pregnant with our first daughter, and we just bought our first house. I thought it was the perfect time to start a business LOL!
TSGBC: What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? Why?
Rosario: Our Franklin Lakes luxury home remodel #havenroadreno is my favorite project. We thoughtfully designed and detailed this contemporary home to the 1/32 of an inch. The majority of the renovation was purely custom, including the one-of-a-kind ebony front doors and the custom-designed bar created to fit our client’s aesthetic and lifestyle. The entire design process was a continuous conversation to better understand our client and their lifestyle needs. We developed a strong relationship with our clients since we spent so much time discussing their wishlist through the whole process and we have become great friends.
TSGBC: What’s one type of project you’ve never worked on but would like to?
Rosario: A winery. Winemaking is my second passion and I would love to blend my two favorite passions; Architecture and Wine.
TSGBC: How do you begin the design process with your clients?
Rosario: Every project starts with questions which leads to many enlightening conversations. Because the design process is so exciting, it is easy to get sidetracked into a client’s wishlist, so we have developed our own project agenda that is customized to the project’s specific needs. Our typical renovation project includes 15 to 20 design meetings!
TSGBC: What is the biggest lesson learned in your career?
Rosario: As a small business owner of a service company, it is extremely important to manage our time. We don’t produce thousands of widgets, we sell our time. I have learned to value time as the most crucial gift and that extends beyond business to family and friends. It took me a few years to realize that.
TSGBC: What is the biggest obstacle you have experienced through COVID / lesson learned?
Rosario: Learning to keep the firm running efficiently and maintaining collaboration among the design staff was our biggest obstacle during the pandemic. Our design process is very collaborative, so in the beginning, communication wasn’t easy. Prior to the pandemic, we would sketch an idea and share with colleagues in the office for their feedback. We have adapted with new online communications tools and became proficient in numerous collaborative software systems to share our work together in a “virtual studio.”
TSGBC: What advice would you give to a young entrepreneur?
Rosario: Write down your purpose for wanting to start your own business. Your mission statement, your vision, a basic business plan are the building blocks that will help kick start your business. Reflect often on your vision since sometimes you need to remind yourself why you chose this path in the first place.
TSGBC: What’s the first thing you would buy for yourself if you won the lottery?
Rosario: A vineyard in Italy.
TSGBC: What’s the number one place you recommend to eat in Bergen County?
Rosario: Elia, 240 Hackensack Street, East Rutherford @eliamediterreanrestaurant. I love the mediterranean style ambiance and menu.
Photos taken by @photographybycaranj
