By ERIC AYRES

WHEELING — The Ohio Valley has its share of recognizable family names, but Toni DiCarlo’s “famous” family name is one that generations of local people instantly associate with a taste of home.

“My uncle, Primo DiCarlo, originated DiCarlo’s Pizza in Steubenville, Ohio in 1945,” she said. “My father, Galdo DiCarlo, came into the business shortly thereafter and took over the second location in downtown Wheeling in 1949. Growing up, the pizza business was part of the family. I was the youngest of five children and always loved helping in the family business.”

Today, Toni DiCarlo is the owner and operator of DiCarlo’s Pizza location in Wheeling, Glen Dale and at The Highlands. She’s piloted the family business for decades and is looking forward to continuing to uphold the family name through exciting ventures that are just around the corner.

Plans are in the works to break ground soon on the new DiCarlo’s Building in downtown Wheeling.

The site between Main Street and Water Street will not only house a new location for Wheeling DiCarlo’s Pizza, but it will also offer seven luxury condominiums overlooking the river.

The new venture opens a new chapter for DiCarlo, but one that has been met with encouraging support from the community. She is following her own advice to people who are willing to work hard and try something new: “Take a leap of faith and go for it!”

DiCarlo said she knew in her youth growing up that she wanted to become a businesswoman someday.

She said she learned a valuable lesson in life at an early age when it was Christmas time, and her father would give her and her siblings money to go buy Christmas gifts.

“That made no sense to me,” she said. “I wanted to earn my own money, so my father told me I would have to get a job. I was 10 years old and became my neighborhood’s first paper girl. From that moment on, I knew I was going to be a businesswoman.”

She honed her entrepreneurial skills in college and seemed to be destined to one day take over the family business.

“Before I graduated Seton Hill College in Greensburg, Pa., with a bachelor of arts degree in Business, I focused more on how I could sell DiCarlo’s Pizza while I was there,” she said.

“I employed our night security guard at the college to drive me into Steubenville on the weekends so I could fill pizza orders I acquired from the campus clubs and sport teams. I knew then I wanted to own my own business.”

By the 1980s, her father was no longer involved with the day-to-day operations of the Wheeling pizza shop, and after she returned from college, this offered her an opportunity to take the reins and continue the family legacy.

“I’ve operated the downtown Wheeling shop since then and expanded into other locations as well,” she said. “I also incorporated the popular pepperoni roll, which has become DiCarlo’s staple, along with its pizza.”

Any way you slice it, upholding the family name takes work, and DiCarlo encouraged those wishing to start their own businesses to be prepared to roll up their sleeves and stay true to their vision.

“As a self-made businesswoman you must believe in yourself and be able and willing to put in a lot of hours — and also to work alongside your employees, letting them know you wouldn’t have them do things that you yourself wouldn’t be willing to do or have done,” she said.

“Remember, nothing is an overnight success. My keywords are ‘prayer and patience.'”

The Ohio Valley is a great place to do business, she added.

The people of the valley are known to rally around those who are willing to put in the time and the effort, and women in the business world may likely find that the area is a good place to start.

“There is a low barrier to entry in a community that gives women a winning chance at showcasing their knowledge, talents and keen business sense,” DiCarlo said.

“I’m proud to be a part of the Ohio Valley and continuing the legacy of DiCarlo’s Pizza, and the fact that my family originated and introduced such a wonderful product that’s been adored for over 75 years. And I’m proud that it’s allowing me to expand beyond retail to real estate.”

DiCarlo said she hopes to continue contributing to the Ohio Valley through the development of the DiCarlo’s Building and new DiCarlo’s Pizza location. She also takes time to be involved with the community as much as she can.

“I’m a proud corporate sponsor of the Wheeling Nailers, and a voted member of the Cathedral of St. Joseph’s Parish Council,” DiCarlo said, noting that she tries to be a devout Catholic and leans on her faith to help guide her everyday life. “I’m also a life member of the Undo’s Upper Ohio Valley Italian Festival Committee.”

DiCarlo said she lives by two mottos: “What would Jesus do?” and “It’s all good.”

“I’ve learned even when bad things happen or when mistakes are made, there is still so much to be thankful for,” she said. “The opportunity to learn from mistakes helps you become stronger.”

DiCarlo is a single mother of two adult children. Her daughter, Dr. Lauren Jones, is a physical therapist at the Ryan Ferns Healthplex, and her son, Christopher Jones, is actively involved in the family business.

“I also love animals, especially my three dogs – one of which is a rare Native American Indian dog,” she said. “I’ve always believed in the importance of physical fitness, influenced by my deceased older brother Joe, who was a college athlete. I work out regularly, at least three times a week at CrossFit Onus Plus. When time allows, I travel with family and friends, and in particular love traveling to Italy, of course.”