We were lucky to catch up with Elaisy & Alvio Lapinet recently and have shared our conversation below.

Elaisy & Alvio, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

During COVID, my husband Alvio found himself without work as a restaurant manager. It was a challenging time, but it also presented an opportunity for us to take a leap of faith. Back in Cuba, Alvio had perfected the art of making ham, a skill passed down to him and one he was passionate about. In the US, however, he had to take various jobs, from working at a carwash to different factories, to make ends meet.

With the pandemic affecting employment opportunities, we decided it was time to pursue our dream. I was fortunate to have a full-time job, which provided us with a stable income. This allowed us to take the risk of having Alvio focus entirely on making and selling his delicious products from home. It was a significant decision, one that required us to rely solely on my income while investing time and resources into growing our business.

Despite the uncertainty, we persevered. Alvio dedicated himself to creating high-quality deli meats, and we worked together to build our brand. Our hard work paid off. Today, we have obtained our USDA certification, allowing us to sell our products in grocery stores. We also own a restaurant where customers can enjoy over 14 different products that Alvio makes.

Taking this risk has been life-changing for us. It wasn’t easy, but it has led to a thriving business that we are incredibly proud of.

Elaisy & Alvio, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello! For those who haven’t read about us before, we are Elaisy and Alvio, the passionate duo behind our meat processing business and restaurant in the NULU area of Louisville, Kentucky.

Alvio has been dedicated to the art of making deli meats for over 18 years, a craft he honed as a means of livelihood in Cuba. Back in Cuba, he ran a fruitful business making ham, but upon arriving in the US, he faced the hardships that many new immigrants encounter. He took on various jobs, from carwash cleaning to working in different factories, all while nurturing his passion for meat craftsmanship. Today, Alvio is a meat artisan with a great passion for smoked and cured meats. He now produces over 14 different products, ranging from smoked chicken and ribs to chorizo and deli ham.

I, Elaisy, have a Master’s Degree in industrial psychology and handle all the business needs. Like Alvio, I am also from Cuba, and we moved to Kentucky in 2001 after my parents won the visa lottery. My focus was always on academics and attending college. However, meeting Alvio inspired an entrepreneurial spirit within me that I never knew I had.

Together, we have created a business that not only reflects our skills and passions but also serves our community. Our product line includes a variety of smoked and cured meats such as smoked chicken, smoked ribs, bacon, smoked pork shank, deli ham, chorizo, Spanish chorizo, smoked pork chops, and hot dogs. What sets us apart is our commitment to quality and authenticity. We are proud to be a Kentucky Proud facility, ensuring that our entire process, from farm to table, remains within the state.

Recently, we obtained our USDA certification, allowing us to sell our products at grocery stores and ensuring that our customers receive the highest standards of quality and safety. Our restaurant provides a space where people can come in and enjoy the delicious meats Alvio creates, experiencing firsthand the passion and dedication we put into our work.

We are most proud of our dedication and commitment to bringing gourmet meats from Kentucky hogs to our customers. Our goal is to have everyone taste and appreciate the exquisite products we make, contributing to the local economy and showcasing the best of what Kentucky has to offer.

We want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that our brand is built on hard work, resilience, and a deep love for our craft. We believe in creating products that not only taste great but also tell a story of passion, tradition, and perseverance.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about us and our journey. We look forward to sharing our delicious creations with you!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most significant pivots we had to make in our business journey was how we initially planned to enter the market. Our original vision was to start as ham wholesalers, aiming to get our products into grocery stores and other retail outlets from the get-go. We believed that once people tasted our delicious meats, they would recognize the quality and authenticity, leading to a strong presence in the market.

However, as we delved deeper into the logistics and market dynamics, we realized that this approach might not be the most effective way to introduce our brand. We needed a way to get our products directly into people’s hands, allowing them to experience the taste and quality firsthand. This led us to pivot our strategy and open our restaurant first.

Opening the restaurant allowed us to showcase our wide range of products, from smoked chicken and ribs to deli ham and chorizo. It provided a platform for us to connect with our customers directly, receive immediate feedback, and build a loyal customer base. The restaurant became a place where people could come in and enjoy the full experience of our artisanal meats, understanding the passion and dedication behind every product.

Working in reverse, starting with the restaurant and then moving towards wholesale, turned out to be the right decision. It helped us build a strong brand presence and customer recognition, which is crucial for our long-term success in grocery stores and other retail outlets. This approach ensured that when our products finally hit the shelves, there was already a buzz and demand created by our restaurant patrons.

This pivot taught us the importance of flexibility and adapting our strategies to the realities of the market. It reinforced our belief that sometimes the best way to achieve your goals is not always the most straightforward path but the one that allows you to connect with your audience and build a solid foundation.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Securing the initial capital to start our business was one of the most challenging and enlightening experiences of our journey. We knew that to bring our vision to life, we needed significant funding, so we began the process of approaching various funding facilities. Over the course of our search, we visited more than 10 different banks and financial institutions, pitching our business plan and hoping to secure the necessary funds.

Each meeting was a learning experience. We faced numerous rejections, each time receiving feedback and questions that we hadn’t anticipated. This process, though frustrating at times, was incredibly valuable. It forced us to refine our pitch, understand our business inside and out, and become better at selling ourselves and our vision. We learned to anticipate the concerns of potential lenders and address them confidently and convincingly.

Our perseverance paid off when we finally approached Wilson & Muir Bank. Unlike the previous institutions, they saw the potential in our business and decided to support us through an SBA loan. This was a pivotal moment for us, as it provided the financial backing we needed to start our restaurant and meat processing business.

The entire journey taught us resilience and the importance of persistence. It also reinforced the value of thorough preparation and self-belief. By the time we secured our funding, we were not only more confident in our business model but also more prepared to face the challenges ahead.

We are incredibly grateful to Wilson & Muir Bank for believing in us and giving us the opportunity to bring our dream to life. This experience underscored that sometimes, the road to success is long and filled with hurdles, but with determination and the willingness to learn and adapt, those hurdles can be overcome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.curedbutchertown.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cured_restaurant_salumeria/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlviosCubanMeats/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvio-lapinet-4b262a209

Image Credits

Joshua Montgomery
Guillermo Sollano
Jimmy Cacer