From Loss to Success: The Journey of Pasta Livia.

UNDP Albania

May 26, 2023

Founded in 2014 by entrepreneur Durim Shahinas, Pasta Livia has established itself as a prominent player in the gastronomy industry. With a steadfast commitment to meeting the diverse culinary needs of their customers, Pasta Livia has become a trusted supplier for numerous local businesses, providing them with the finest pasta available on the market.

UNDP Albania

Author

Nora Kushti

Communications Specialist, UNDP Albania

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you faced significant challenges, earnestly searching for a way forward?

Have you ever dedicated your time and energy to a business endeavor, only to encounter setbacks along the way?

Have you ever experienced the uplifting support of someone who extended a helping hand precisely when you needed it the most?

For those who have encountered such trials, the story of Durim Shahinas, the proud owner of Pasta Livia, serves as an unwavering source of inspiration and hope.

With the support and invaluable guidance from UNDP, Durim's business embarked on a remarkable journey, triumphing over adversity, and paving the way for resounding success.

This inspiring journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of tailored assistance, showcasing that with the right mentorship and unwavering determination, dreams have the potential to materialize into tangible achievements.

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The UNDP's Economic Recovery and Resilience Programme funded by the governments of the United Kingdom and the Netherlands aims to stimulate the economy by revitalizing micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and enhancing their competitiveness.

The programme deploys two proven methodologies for business recovery: In Motion and the Supplier’s Development Programme. The Supplier’s Development Methodology was introduced to Albania with the support of UNDP's Regional Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean. This tried and tested methodology, adapted to the local context, brought the expertise and success of the programme from distant shores to empower entrepreneurs and enterprises in Albania.

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The Supplier's Development Methodology Strengthening Value Chains

At the heart of the programme's efforts is the Supplier's Development Methodology, which focuses on fortifying local value chains, promoting exports and reducing imports by developing national suppliers. This comprehensive programme provides technical assistance through trained and certified business consultants to a selected "value chain", involving “the client company” or “the buyer” and its strategic suppliers. The programme encompasses six stages, including promotion, diagnosis, client company-supplier interaction, improvement plan design and implementation, and documentation and replicability.

The Journey of Pasta Livia

Founded in 2014 by entrepreneur Durim Shahinas, Pasta Livia has established itself as a prominent player in the gastronomy industry. Renowned for its meticulously crafted and hand-made fresh pasta, the company has garnered a reputation for delivering unparalleled quality and taste. Durim's passion for excellence extends beyond his signature pasta, as he also imports and exports a wide range of flour products and their by-products. With a steadfast commitment to meeting the diverse culinary needs of their customers, Pasta Livia has become a trusted supplier for numerous local businesses, providing them with the finest pasta available on the market.

But this journey was not without its challenges. Pasta Livia, an integral component of the value chain connected to the client company "STARMAR" diligently supplies their handcrafted pasta to fulfill STARMAR’s guests’ culinary needs. With STARMAR encompassing a hotel, bar, restaurant, and beach bar, Pasta Livia and six other businesses part of the value chain participated in the UNDP programme.

"I must admit that I initially had strong reservations about participating in the programme. However, it didn't take long for us to recognize the immense potential for growth and improvement that awaited us. My staff and I went through one year of personalized assistance and training. At the initial stages, the programme provided us with a 360-degree diagnosis of my businesses and helped identify areas that required strengthening, such as leadership and management, financial management, marketing and customer care, social media management, sustainable business practices, HACCP food safety system implementation and other quality protocols. The comprehensive support that followed has truly transformed our business and set us on a path towards success."

Under the guidance of the program, Pasta Livia has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a stronger entity with enhanced management practices, heightened productivity, improved product quality, and more efficient customer care procedures.

UNDP Albania

Before participating in the programme, Pasta Livia faced challenges, operating without proper contracts or clear guidelines. However, the diagnosis phase of the programme enabled the company to identify and address this crucial issue too. By implementing the knowledge gained, Durim aimed to improve and expand his business, ultimately increasing its profitability.

Today, Durim takes immense pride in presenting detailed technical sheets for his products, accompanied by comprehensive contracts for each client, and a formidable presence across various social media platforms. Utilizing the modules and practices he has developed, he now excels in delivering superior technical assistance and customer care services to Starmar, as well as his other valued clients on the best techniques for preparing and accompanying his pasta. The profound impact of the program has been nothing short of transformative, leading Durim to affectionately dub it the "Michelin star programme" for his business.

Under the guidance of the program, Pasta Livia has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a stronger entity with enhanced management practices, heightened productivity, improved product quality, and more efficient customer care procedures. Consequently, the company has solidified its position in the market. Notably, sales have witnessed a substantial surge of 30%, prompting Pasta Livia to actively consider a significant expansion of its workforce. The true extent of the program's impact on sales levels and workforce will become evident after the peak summer season.

Whether it's a cozy trattoria, a bustling restaurant, or a specialty food store, Pasta Livia's distribution network ensures that their exceptional products reach every corner of the community, delighting both chefs and fresh pasta enthusiasts alike.

Knowledge sharing

Not only has Pasta Livia experienced remarkable growth, but Durim also recognizes the importance of educating other businesses that purchase his products. He shares his newfound knowledge on conducting business correctly, contracting, sustainability, and more, helping uplift the entire industry.

The UNDP's commitment to supporting MSMEs and building sustainable value chains is proving instrumental in transforming dreams into reality.

Craving for fresh pasta Livia? You know where to order them: On their active social media patforms.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100037206950079

https://www.instagram.com/pasta_livia/