We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kamila Batyrova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kamila below.
Alright, Kamila thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
How the Pandemic Led Us to Open a Restaurant in the U.S.
Even before we got married, my husband and I often talked about opening our own restaurant one day. We dreamed of a small, cozy place — not just a business, but a true extension of our lifestyle. Cooking had always been a big part of our lives and a shared passion that brought us together.
When we moved to the U.S. and ended up staying longer than expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we used the time to study the local market, learn about people’s preferences, and shape the vision for our future restaurant. But what truly inspired us to take the leap were our neighbors — their excitement and glowing feedback every time they tried our homemade food gave us the confidence to move forward.
That’s how our idea gradually turned into a full-fledged restaurant — one filled with heart, culture, and flavors that bring people together.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
we specialize in crafting delicious pasta, ravioli, and baked goods. Located in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, our restaurant is dedicated to serving up authentic and flavorful dishes that will satisfy your cravings.
With a passion for quality ingredients and traditional recipes, our team is committed to providing a memorable dining experience for every customer. Whether you’re a pasta aficionado or simply looking for a comforting meal, we invite you to join us at Soul Pasta for a taste of culinary excellence.
Soul Pasta – a restaurant in the casual street food genre. Our establishment offers you fresh pasta, several types of ravioli dressed with your choice of homemade sauces. In addition to all this, you can try freshly baked bread, sandwiches, and desserts. Cooking has been a lifelong hobby for me, and I often cooked a lot for my family, as it is part of our culture. And more than 10 years ago, when my husband and I were not married, we dreamed of opening a small and cozy establishment for the soul. Soul Pasta, a fast-growing fresh pasta brand based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We specialize in producing authentic Italian pasta using modern techniques to ensure the highest product quality and customer satisfaction. Our team offers: • Fresh premium-quality pasta: We craft traditional pasta varieties like Mafalde and Bigoli, using only the finest semolina flour. • Production capacity: Our production line allows us to manufacture up to 50 pounds of pasta per hour, ensuring consistent supply to meet both retail and wholesale needs. • Variety of partnership opportunities: Soul Pasta actively participates in pop-ups, supplies local stores, farmers markets, and engages in online sales. We also offer pasta supply for corporate clients, office deliveries, events, and restaurants. We are already working with several breweries and stores in the region, and we are currently looking to expand our network of partners to distribute and market our products further.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
At the very beginning of our journey, after opening our restaurant, we invested heavily in online advertising — running targeted campaigns, boosting posts, and trying various marketing strategies. But despite all our efforts, the number of customers wasn’t growing as quickly as we had hoped. We realized it was time to think outside the box.
That’s when a friend of ours came up with an unexpected idea: what if my husband started driving for Uber and used that opportunity to personally promote our restaurant? It sounded unconventional, but we decided to give it a try. My husband began driving and handing out our menu and business cards to every passenger, telling them about our food and concept.
The impact was immediate. On his very first day, he picked up a couple who lived just a few blocks from our restaurant. He told them about our place and gave them a menu. The very next day, the woman — her name was Rio — came by, placed a large order, and later left us a glowing review on Google Maps along with a heartfelt post on Facebook sharing her experience.
That one post changed everything. Overnight, we gained over 200 new social media followers, and customers began showing up — excited to try the food they had read about. Word of mouth started to spread quickly, and people began talking about the quality and flavor of our food.
Another major boost came from connecting with local bloggers and influencers on Instagram. We reached out with a simple message, and everyone who responded received a special Pasta Gift Box — filled with our fresh handmade pasta, two signature sauces, cheese, and olives. Soon, they started posting about us, creating content, and some even visited the restaurant to meet us in person.
Step by step, thanks to creative thinking and the incredible support of our community, our restaurant began to grow — not just as a business, but as a place where people come for connection, culture, and unforgettable flavors.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
The answer to how we’ve grown a strong, trusted reputation lies right in the name of our brand — Soul Pasta. We pour our heart and soul into everything we do, from the quality of our ingredients to the way we treat every single customer. This isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a philosophy built on care, authenticity, and connection.
From day one, we’ve prioritized food quality and listened closely to the individual preferences of our guests. Early on, we faced serious issues with third-party delivery platforms like UberEats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. Delays, poor handling, and inconsistent service affected the customer experience — and that didn’t sit right with us. If we wanted to live up to our name and truly honor our guests’ expectations, we knew we had to take full control.
So we started delivering orders ourselves. My husband personally made deliveries, handing meals directly to customers. But he did more than just deliver — he engaged. He asked for feedback, listened to suggestions, thanked them for their support, and simply had conversations. People were genuinely surprised: the owner of the restaurant was delivering food and checking in personally. That level of care created trust and formed meaningful relationships.
Fast, reliable delivery became one of our biggest strengths. We understood how important timing is to customers, and we made sure every order arrived promptly and in perfect condition.
We also started following up with customers after their orders — quick phone calls to make sure they were happy, and to show that we truly cared. This hands-on, customer-first approach became a defining part of our brand.
We took it further by offering inclusive menu options for vegans and those with gluten intolerance. People felt seen, valued, and respected — and that mattered.
Most importantly, all of our food is made from scratch. No shortcuts, no pre-made ingredients — just fresh, handcrafted meals, made with purpose. That quality speaks for itself. Combined with real care for our community, it’s what helped Soul Pasta grow beyond a business — into something people genuinely connect with.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://soul-pasta.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/soulpasta_?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083668756599&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: Check out Soul Pasta:
https://instagram.com/soulpasta_?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083668756599&mibextid=LQQJ4d
http://soul-pasta.com/
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Km89fX8YxzEMh6n29?g_st=ic
https://www.ezcater.com/catering/soul-pasta-3
https://shop.marketwagon.com/products/fresh-fusilli-pasta-one-pound?redir=true
https://www.tiktok.com/@soulpasta_pgh?_t=8kXthalWGPi&_r=1
Image Credits
Kamila Batyrova -co owner