A former City trader, Lavinia was made redundant from her Director role at an investment bank without warning, but went on to follow her true passion for food & founded a luxury Italian confectionary brand, Lavolio Boutique Confectionary. Lavolio is now hugely successful, turning over £400k annually (doubling revenues annually) and has been served to the Royals at Buckingham Palace on several occasions. Lavolio is stocked in 200 premium independent stores including the V&A, Fortnum and Mason and the British Museum.
1) What is your name and where do you live?
My name is Lavinia Davolio and I currently live in London. I was raised in Italy and lived in China and the USA before moving to the UK to work for an Investment Bank.
2) What is your favourite soulventure?
A really indulgent meal. For example, dining at the Fat Duck was one of the most extraordinary culinary adventures I’ve ever experienced.
3) What’s something that no-one would guess about you?
4) What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
As I am living with chronic pain, I’d love to have a magic wand to make it go away.
5) If you could be doing anything, anywhere, right now, what would it be?
What I am doing right now. I have made the conscious decision to follow my heart and my passion. This is why I consider myself one of the luckiest people around. I have ideas and I make them. I created the number one luxury Italian confectionery brand in the UK and have sold over one million chocolates since I started.
6) Of what are you most proud?
It’s so fulfilling to have an idea, make it happen in real life, and see how much this idea is appreciated by my customers. Every time I receive an internet order from Amazon or my site I am so happy I do a little dance! I have a clear and simple vision; Lavolio’s dream is to make better quality confectionery with proper ingredients and to create a beautiful taste experience. I aim to WOW my customers with my unusual flavours and luxury presentation: Lavolios are beautifully presented in specially designed gift boxes, which you will definitely want to keep.
7) Who do you most admire and why?
Anyone who is successful and loves to give back. I admire people who are generous and kind and take the time to help others.
8) Best kiss of your life?
A dark and windy evening in Stockholm, on the shore near the water- it was the beginning of quite an adventure…
9) What is a new skill you’d like to learn (and why?)
10) Woods, mountain, city or sea?
11) If you could say one thing to lots of people, what would it be?
12) What makes you happy?
The little things in life.
13) What is your guiltiest pleasure?
A whole box of Lavolio Nutty Forest disappearing before lunchtime at the office.
You can follow Lavolio on Facebook here @ilovelavolio
