Today we’d like to introduce you to Elcio.
Hi Elcio, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in Brazil, the son of a farmer. I followed what I would call the “traditional path” at first — college, corporate work, building a career. But even early on, I felt a strong desire to build something of my own, something aligned with what I believed, not just what was expected.
Over the years, I started and led several businesses in Brazil, including a clothing brand and leadership roles in a multinational company. Some of those experiences were successful, others were painful. Eventually, in my 40s, my wife and I made a life-changing decision to move to the United States so our children could study at BYU. We came together as a family in 2005, even though it meant leaving established businesses behind.
Around that same time, I went through a personal transformation related to health, energy, and purpose. I realized that success without vitality and meaning is empty. That realization — combined with my wife’s incredible talent for cooking real, nourishing food — planted the seed for Aubergine Kitchen.
In 2014, we opened our first small café in Utah. We had no investors, no brand recognition, and we were doing things very differently. But we were deeply committed to our purpose. One restaurant became three, then more. Today, Aubergine continues to grow, but more importantly, it continues to serve people in a way that aligns with why we started in the first place.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. The road has been anything but smooth.
I experienced one of my biggest failures earlier in my career, when a business I helped build collapsed during an economic recession in Brazil. It took years to recover — financially, emotionally, and spiritually. That failure humbled me and taught me lessons I could not have learned any other way.
With Aubergine, the challenges were different but constant. We chose from day one not to serve soda, not to use refined sugar, not to fry food, and not to cut corners on ingredients. Many people told us we would not survive. Some consultants even advised us to compromise our principles to be “more profitable.”
Then COVID hit. Our sales dropped nearly 75% almost overnight. It forced us to adapt quickly, trust our people, and stay calm in uncertainty.
Through every struggle, one thing became clear: when you are anchored in purpose and values, you can endure very difficult seasons without losing your direction.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Aubergine Kitchen exists for one simple reason: to change people’s lives with real food.
We are a fast-casual restaurant, but we operate with a very intentional philosophy. Food is fuel. It should give you energy, clarity, and vitality — not leave you feeling heavy, tired, or regretful.
What sets us apart is that we do not compromise: no refined sugar, no seed oils, no fried food, only extra-virgin olive oil, and only real, whole ingredients prepared with care.
These choices are significantly more expensive, but they are non-negotiable for us. Our guiding principles have never changed since day one.
Brand-wise, what I am most proud of is trust. Every day, guests tell us, “This is the only place I can eat and feel good.” That trust means everything. We are not chasing trends. We are building something enduring.
What I want readers to know is this: Aubergine is not about being perfect or extreme. It’s about making better choices, consistently, and creating a place where people feel better when they leave than when they arrived.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson is that long-lasting success — in business and in life — only happens when your purpose is bigger than yourself.
When ego, money, or recognition become the center, problems are inevitable. But when you operate with integrity, humility, and a desire to contribute, challenges become opportunities for growth.
I’ve learned that values only matter when they cost you something. I’ve also learned that problems are not the enemy — they are the path.
At the end of the day, life is not about careers or titles. It’s about contribution. As long as I can contribute, grow, and help others feel better — through food, leadership, or simple human interactions — I feel I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://auberginekitchen.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubergine.kitchen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1A66BykgQ2/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/auberginekitchen/
