Paprika Catering was founded in 2021 by Waterbury, VT residents Jennifer McCabe and Jacqueline de Achaval. They started a company combining their culinary backgrounds and collective love for empanadas “because they are a taste of Argentina,” Jackie’s home country. Their business roots began by catering a family wedding. Soon they were selling at farmers markets and began catering.
Jen and Jacqueline began making their empanadas – considered a shareable food among Argentinians who proudly state “things taste better when shared” – in a rented commercial kitchen space. As the company grew, they sold their empanadas via wholesale and quickly wished to export outside of Vermont. To do this, they needed to secure a USDA license and be subject to FDA audits during meat processing. At the same time, they were seeking dedicated kitchen space and eventually purchased a former burrito shop on Foundry Street in Waterbury, VT.
Shortly after the sale and move, VMEC Business Advisor Louis Prue happened upon Paprika Catering as he was making client calls in Waterbury and Jen and Jacqueline were renovating the space. After seeing the shop, Louis offered VMEC’s assistance for any future business plans. Being now familiar with VMEC’s services, they subscribed to the bi-monthly e-newsletter and learned about the Maker’s Fund. Being Waterbury business owners, customers of Northfield Savings Bank (not a requirement of the fund’s guidelines) and seeking to expand the business into a larger retail space, awareness of the fund came their way at the right time.
High on the priority list and necessary for the intended expansion was machinery and packaging. While Paprika’s empanadas are handmade, the equipment needed would help to increase the capacity and, similar to manufacturing, focus on consistency and quality. Jen indicated that they wanted to grow their business without getting into a lot of debt. Their intention in applying for the Maker’s Fund was to help with some of the overhead costs and make the transition and growth of the business possible.
Paprika never planned on going into the retail sector; it was their customers who were asking for it as they wished to purchase their empanadas at grocery and convenience stores. As hands-on owners, Jen and Jacqueline like to do things themselves but knew nothing about packaging and package design. This is where the Maker’s Fund came in which helped to pay for the expertise needed for the box selection and its design. VMEC brought in Tessa Vande Griek of TVG Production who brought her expertise in brand, design, color concepts, layout and so much more. Recyclable and environmentally friendly packaging was important to Paprika’s project. Most importantly the collective goal of the owners and their designer was that the branding represent the mission and spirit of the company.
“The NSB and VMEC Maker’s Fund helped validate and derisk our packaging project,” stated Jen. “It took the opportunity from never to now. Our business is helping to make good food accessible to people. The expansion into the retail business would not have been possible without the Maker’s Fund. It allowed us to expand outreach beyond Waterbury and our empanada shop.”
As an added bonus, Jen and Jacqueline endeavored to document their process and help train new staff. In order to grow their workforce, they turned to HireAbility Vermont, an employment and career development resource for Vermonters living with a disability. Whether you’re seeking retail or wholesale empanadas, make Paprika Catering your taste of Vermont!
To learn more about the Maker’s Fund, view the following links below: