Kenneth and Ody Lugo Couple reaps rewards from hard work, giving back

Kenneth and Ody Lugo Couple reaps rewards from hard work, giving back

Kenneth and Ody Lugo Couple reaps rewards from hard work, giving backThis week has not one, but two Gables Greats, Kenneth and Ody Lugo.

Kenny graduated from Florida Christian and Miami Dade Community College while Ody graduated from St. Brendan and Nova University.

Ody was a schoolteacher with a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education who developed a talent for cake decorating. After a while, she found her part time cake business with her husband brought in more money than her job and the idea for opening a store developed. Kenny credits Ody with the idea of a salad restaurant.

Ody figured the cake business, which they had worked for 11-12 years, would not give them time in the future to enjoy life’s rewards, which proved to be a wise decision.The day they got a lease for their first store for Giardino Gourmet Salads in Coral Gables, Kenny got a call, as if by divine intervention, and was hired as a firefighter. This helped them survive financially the first year.

With little money for marketing, they used what they had to support various charitable events, which also served to achieve their faith-based mission. That plus hard work and word of mouth certainly was a godsend and has reaped great rewards.With several franchises now, Kenny shares how he and Ody had no clue how to start a business and learned on the fly.

He admits he read Franchising for Dummies, a book I suspect Kenny could now write and improve upon. He said it really turned out to be common sense. You serve a great fresh product, with amazing customer service, consistently and you get a great thing going.The couple’s passion for giving back and mentoring others is something that permeates their business philosophy. Coming from humble beginnings, they serve as amazing role models for others who were not handed a silver spoon but who are not afraid of hard work and taking on a challenge to improve their circumstances and achieve their dreams.

Giving back is something that they were exposed to early on in high school through a variety of clubs, so it is no wonder they continue to donate their time, talent and treasure as adults helping and becoming involved in such organizations as Honey Shine, Amigos for Kids, Kiwanis of Little Havana, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Zo’s Summer Groove, UM Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Kids Hope United, Easter Seals, Women’s Fund, Arroz Con Mango-La Liga Contra el Cancer, His House, Susan J Komen Cancer Foundation, and Caring Chef for Kids.Kenny and Ody’s generous spirit is one that their daughter Rebekah, 8, has inherited big time. At this tender age, already she has begun creating a non-profit “Living for Giving” and, while not yet incorporated, has like her parents begun helping others.


Connect To Your Customers & Grow Your Business

Click Here

Previous articleMiami-Dade welcomes new assistant director for MDPD
Next articleThe Meliá Nassau Beach Hotel: Bit of paradise in paradise
A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel , non profit consulting and management. Before joining Miami's Community Newspapers as a columnist and marketing specialist, Gloria was the Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee (6 yrs.) and first Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation (14 yrs.) and the Pinecrest Community Foundation (1 ½ yrs) . Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist for Community Newspapers writing Gloria’s Gab, that focuses on the non-profit activity, and a host of an online show, Gloria's Gab LIVE. Gloria serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables as Civic and Charity Chair, and is involved in the club's International Committee. She is an active Life Member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee and is Secretary of the Merrick Festival. She serves on the board of directors of the Coral Gables Woman' Club as Publicity Chair and also coordinates the club's monthly fundraiser for various charities with Gringo Bingo at Clutch Burger. In addition, Gloria participates in numerous other charitable events and is a member of the Business Forum Group, Profit Inc., the Greater Miami Festival & Events Association and the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. In other volunteer activity, Gloria helps Miami Christian School with fund-raising and PR; is an Ambassador and volunteers for events for A Safe Haven for Newborns. She is an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she enjoys singing in the choir every weekend.

3 COMMENTS

  1. So happy for all of all of you! It’s great to achieve such success. Such a fabulous group effort! Love Giardino!!

  2. What a fantastic couple. Not only their hard work, but all the organizations they donate their time & money to. Great article!!

  3. Congratulations Ken and Ody – well deserved recognition! Thank you for all of your support for A Safe Haven for Newborns as well! We appreciate YOU both and wish you tons of success!

Comments are closed.