Chatting with: Eduardo Santini

Santini has been offering “il gelati piu fini del mondo” since 1949. Being one of the newest members at LACS we’ve talked to Eduardo Santini, grandson of the founder and in charge of quality control for the brand.

Your work in three words.

Ice creams, innovation and management.

The best thing you like the most of your work.

Passion.

Describe a typical day at work.

A pass every morning in production. I’m in charge for launching new flavours e ingredients. I spend my afternoons in stores.

Do you listen to music while working?

Mainly when I drive from one place to the other. I listen to Radio Comercial.

How do you explain Santini’s constant and steady growth?

Expansion is directly correlated to quality. We will only be able to do so if we make ice creams the way my grandfather used to when he opened his first store in Estoril. If we do that we will be opening new points of sale and address our clients and friends needs.

If you LACS had an ice cream flavour, what would it be?

It would need to be something really innovating, different yet fresh with lots of fruit.

When you were a kid what did you want to become?

I’ve always wanted to be in store. I think it’s typical in family businesses for the predecessor to run the business one day. I think it is proving to be the case.

Your first job?

I’ve been here for 25 or 26 years now. In family businesses, we usually start from the bottom, so I started washing glasses, washing the tables and floors.

Na advice you would give to your younger self?

Let it flow. The journey is made of experiences with mistakes along the way. I could explain how to avoid making mistakes, but they are part of the learning curve.

Who inspires you the most?

My parents and my grandad. For someone who’s managed to build a company like Santini in 1949 despite difficulties of the time is a proof of great perseverance and commitment. Same for my parents who have managed to maintain the business going.

What’s the secret for success?

In our case is to keep things as they’ve always been, with great focus on product quality, and innovate. This is how we’ve managed to get where we are today.

Advices for someone who has just about started a business?

I have a business track record very specific. I’ve taken something that already existed and I was lucky to have my parents and grandfather. You need to be perseverant and good at what you do.

Preferred places in Lisbon?

It was a real surprise when they brought me to LACS for the first time. This little corner by the river as a real charm. We have the port, the boats, the docks and it’s a spectacular area. It almost has its own micro-climate. When it nice and sunny, it is my favourite place in Lisbon.