Brothers Paolo and Marco Lapatriello started their entrepreneurial journey twenty years ago, beginning from scratch with no major resources but with a strong vision and unwavering dedication. Their story began with modest dreams and a deep desire to create something authentic and valuable. Today, after two decades, they stand behind a successful project that is not just a business but a way of life.
Paolo studied economics and commerce but always had a passion for languages. He learned English and French in high school and later decided to master German. This took him to Germany, where, after his studies, he spent a year working for Nintendo. However, he soon realized that this was not his path. The turning point came when friends who ran a small inn in the Italian Alps visited him. Over a beer, the idea of starting a company to export traditional local products was born.
Their first major step was collaborating with the cooperative “I Tesori della Terra,” which specialized in organic yogurt production. Wanting to create something unique, they designed a product tailored for the local community – a yogurt that Paolo personally distributed to stores in Cuneo in the first weeks, giving it away to test customer reactions. Success followed quickly, but they also faced their first legal challenges – they had to change their brand name due to a conflict with a large national producer.
As they built their business, Marco was simultaneously discovering his passion for gastronomy. His experience in London, working in restaurant kitchens and markets, shaped his vision. When he had the chance to help his brother manage a store, he joined the project without hesitation. The two of them recognized the potential in combining retail and hospitality, opening a venue in Cuneo where customers could not only buy products but also enjoy them on-site.
The defining moment came at the truffle fair in Albania. A visitor, impressed by their yogurt, offered them the opportunity to become suppliers for “Eataly” – one of the most prestigious chains specializing in artisanal Italian products. This game-changer solidifies their brand and opens the doors to a wider market.
When the pandemic hit, instead of giving up, the brothers saw an opportunity and invested in a new venture – ice cream production. This decision led them to take over one of Cuneo’s iconic locations in the park, where they combined traditional recipes with a modern approach. Today, their business is not just a shop or a restaurant – it is a concept that thrives 365 days a year, blending a love for food, innovation, and community.
Looking ahead, Paolo and Marco have no plans to stop. Their ambition is to expand their business model to other cities, believing that the success of their story is not tied to a single location but to the values they share with their customers.
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