Gonzalo Perrín would never have thought that at the age of 29 he would become a partner and manager of a biscuit factory. He was still taking up Hotel Catering sciences when he got to learn about the Economy of Communion (EoC), and was so deeply struck that he put aside his studies to put the ideals of the EoC concretely into practice. “n 2008 – he recounts – I gave up my job and returned to my country, and at O’Higgins I started to produce biscuits, at home to begin with, while I was setting up the factory and buying the suitable machines.” Today he runs “Pasticcino”, a factory that is part of the Solidaridad industrial park in the Argentinean little town of the Focolare, and where 2.5 million biscuits are produced yearly, distributed to 25 chains of bars and cafes. He is currently considering the possibility of opening a branch in Brazil, at Spartaco, the EoC hub of the Focolare centre close to São Paulo.

To keep in line with the spirit of the EoC and share the company’s profits with the poor, Gonzalo even got to the point of asking the banks for a loan. Another particular experience is that among the staff of the “Pasticcino”  there is a visually-impaired employee, Charley. During a visit, some pointed out to Gonzalo that Charley was an extra expense for the company: “In fact, it may seem a bit costly,” he replied, “but what you don’t see on the balance sheet is that he represents a great asset for the company because of the ideas he proposes, and for the good atmosphere his presence imbues among the colleagues.” In fact, today Gonzalo considers Charley not only as an employee, but more as a consultant and friend.

To those who asked if this was all worthwhile, and if he did not wish to earn more, he answered: “At times when I get into a friend’s car, I say to myself: what a great car! But I myself have never been in need of anything and the important things in life are relationships, which are things money cannot buy. I don’t know how long the company will last, but if it doesn’t, the relationships will remain, and these are the most precious things I possess.”

Recently, Gonzalo had to conclude a big business deal with a new client: “We have already met five times. Ten days ago I attended the sixth and it seemed like things were really moving ahead. But since then I have passed my time looking at the telephone and waiting for it to ring. I was going crazy, when, during my dad’s birthday, my grandma who is 82, asked me how the company was faring. I told her all the details of this new business and she answered: “Don’t’ worry Gonzalo, if this new deal with that company doesn’t pull through, it will be for the better.” I don’t know how, but with those words, my worries vanished somewhat.”

After a few days it was grandma’s birthday and “precisely on that day the client I was talking about accepted me as his supplier!” The Pasticcino factory is expanding!