People are at the heart of Allan Soto’s business ventures.
“I have three areas of focus – special needs, underserved children and ending generational poverty,” said Soto, who was named the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020.
MORE: Women in Business Highlighted at Augusta Metro Chamber Meeting
A native of Miami and the son of Cuban immigrants, Soto is the founder and chief executive officer of Vinea Capital, a business management organization, which oversees several companies including ABLE Kid Services, Soto ALG and Pineapple Ink Tavern.
ABLE Kids offers services such as applied behavior analysis therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy to children with special needs.
[adrotate banner=”19″]
“If children are reached before they enter school, the higher the odds of a good prognosis,” he said. “Early intervention is key.”
Currently, there are four locations of ABLE Kids, but Soto said an additional six will open within the next 90 days. They are located in several cities including Augusta, Columbia, Atlanta and Savannah.
His Soto ALG assists adults with special needs with residential services as well as day centers and community day services. Some of these programs help them in developing skills needed for entering the workforce.
He also owns Pineapple Ink Tavern, which he calls a “passion project.”
The restaurant opened at 1002 Broad in March 2020 right on the cusp of the pandemic.
It would’ve been bad timing if Soto was relying on the restaurant to be self-sustaining, but he was able to keep it operational because of his other streams of income. That financial position enabled him to help others when other restaurants were shutting their doors.
“When they were laying off people, we were able to hire talented people,” he said.
And Pineapple Ink Tavern with executive chef Brandon Smith went on to be named best new restaurant by “Augusta Magazine” last year.
[adrotate banner=”23″]
Soto said he’s guided by his Christian faith in his business dealings. While he isn’t where he planned to be, he knows he’s where he’s supposed to be.
Soto had considered a career in medicine, but he graduated with an economics degree from Johns Hopkins University instead.
After college he found himself in Washington, Ga. operating assisted living homes there.
“I thought ‘I’ll do this a couple of years,’” he said. “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”
Soto decided to follow God’s plans instead, and it’s led him to where he is now.
He said he was humbled after receiving the award from the chamber.
MORE: Cynthia Rhodes Set to Mentor Black Women in Business
“It’s a testament to the work we’ve done,” he said.
Not only has Soto invested in the lives of the people of Augusta, but he’s also invested in the city. He purchased the Leonard Building at 702 Broad St. and is renovating the building.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
[adrotate banner=”50″]
