Here’s a little mid-March inspiration.

Nicole Clavet of Lewiston opened Cruzin Slice food trailer, the “Home of Creton Pizza,” last fall after a year of planning and prep with boyfriend Jared Webster and the feedback was swift.

“People loved our theme and our unique menu,” Clavet said Wednesday. “Despite starting the business at the end of the season, we had a rough gauge on how sales would be in 2021. We knew it was going to be a success, not only because we had something unique to offer — creton pizza! — (but) we saw a pattern of customers ordering pizzas and then coming back to order more to go.”

A week ago, she retired from TD Bank after 23 years to devote herself to Cruzin Slice full-time.

It’s already paid off.

“We’ve been working nonstop answering business calls and emails, obtaining permits and ordering product,” Clavet said. “In just one week’s time, we’re almost fully booked for the season.”

Most bookings are local. Creton pizza has been the hands-down bestseller, she said. This year, they’re adding homemade creton to-go in 8 ounce containers and soup in cooler weather.

The goal is to work hard all year then take the winter off to spend time with family.

“The banking industry continues to change constantly and with those changes I felt it was time for me to move on,” Clavet said. “It’s what was best for me, and ultimately, I just wanted to be happy. Being self-employed allows me to manage and control my own schedule. Even for this short period of time, self-employment has been taxing but extremely rewarding.”

This story is an excerpt from this week’s Buzz column, where we break down what’s happening in the local business world. To get more business news, subscribe to The Buzz, our weekly business newsletter, here. 

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