Silvia Domenech discovered early on that business and food share a natural kinship. He began in the restaurant world at fourteen and, from that moment, felt certain that this was his path. He pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration in Girona and later studied Market Research and Techniques in Barcelona.
Born in 1978 in Santa Pau, where the La Fageda group he now leads was founded, he built his career in the product and packaging sector of a cosmetics company and later with the multinational Nielsen. He also collaborated with firms in food distribution and, in time, started small business services and a market research consultancy.
Through his advisor, he repeatedly attempted to reach Christopher Columbus, the founder of the Garrochina cooperative. He remembers, with conviction, that La Fageda always remained in his sights. He describes it as a remarkable, unprecedented and unique project from his homeland. In 2010, after a dinner with the company’s executives, he began assisting to revive the ice cream production and sales division at a Badalona warehouse, and the jam division was eventually moved to the Santa Pau site, crafted in the traditional workshop manner.
By then, the team began diversifying the dessert and yogurt lines. He explains that, like everything at La Fageda, the effort was about business units designed to meet social needs. The jam unit, for instance, was launched when the forest nursery lost its function and workers there could not join the yogurt factory as production accelerated. The goal was to create jams that supported steadier activity.
Curiosity
La Fageda represented a business and social venture that intrigued him deeply, and over the years he has affirmed its special nature, its capacity to contribute, and its potential for his own growth. For the managing director, working at La Fageda offers ongoing learning in an environment where human relationships carry significant weight. The connections forged are enriching, and what living is really about is the relationships that are woven.
He often says retirement would be wonderful at La Fageda, yet he is clear that if he cannot contribute as much as the project deserves, someone else should take the lead. Purpose outranks personality.
Listening, empathy, and understanding who the other person is stand out among his strengths. He practices these virtues consistently, because current work rhythms can make people feel disconnected and spark conflicts. He also strives to slow down impulses and avoid rushing to conclusions that may seem different later on.
Strengthen and improve
Among the most pressing challenges he faces is strengthening and improving everything done so far, especially in a climate of strong economic uncertainty where costs have more than doubled in the past year. He points to La Fageda as a living example: the aim is not mere financial gain, but to sustain and expand social services through prudent management.
La Fageda is comprised of four non-profit organizations aligned around a shared mission: enabling people with intellectual disabilities, mental disorders, or vulnerable situations to integrate into society through fair, dignified work. The Fageda Foundation oversees dairy, jams, ice cream, farm operations, horticulture, and visitor services, employing 252 people. Last year the group produced 92 million yogurts and desserts and generated 28.2 million euros in revenue. [Citation: La Fageda Foundation]
The Garrotxa Charitable Services Foundation runs occupational therapy services, employment programs, and housing services, with 49 employees. Fageda Sociedad Cooperativa Catalana Limitada coordinates recreational and sports activities for members, while El Faig de La Fageda operates as a work placement center for people without disability certification and in vulnerable situations. [Citation: Garrotxa Charitable Services]
“It’s a business project that lets you feel the perfect fit between yourself and what you do,” concludes Domènech. [Citation: Interview with Domènech]
Forty years in the third sector
La Fageda is described as a company within a social project by its managing director. The cooperative, founded in 1982 to provide jobs for people with mental illness, is grateful to every consumer who chooses one of its products. Domènech adds that the purpose is continuous and steadfast, and each act of consumption supports more opportunities and life choices for vulnerable people. [Citation: La Fageda history]