Halto is a young company created by three KEDGE students or graduates: Hugo, Théo and Claude. Under this name hides a kit of arranged rum. Hugo, co-founder of the project, looks back on the genesis of this drink which will surely accompany you all summer!
Can you go back over your journey?
I did an ES baccalaureate in the worst high school in Arras, but it ended with a good grade. I joined a prep school in Douai, then I failed the competitive exams. So I cubed and my results were the same as in square, because of a transfer of notes. I got a 14 in EDHEC math and they gave me a 4. It was a significant point in my career.
So I joined KEDGE and JE. During a gap year, I felt the need to be valued in the eyes of others and I studied corporate finance. I spent six months in an investment fund in Paris, private equitythen six months in M&A. I then realized that I should not build my career based on others and I set up my first company: Halto. This is the first experience in which I am truly fulfilled.
What is the background of your associates?
Théo is originally from Vosges. He quickly moved to Montélimar where he met Claude. He then did a bachelor’s degree at KEDGE. His career is marked by the international. He went to New Zealand, he did an internship in Germany, he went to the United States and today he lives in London. Claude has always lived in Montélimar. He has a unique background because, before KEDGE, he completed a DUT in civil engineering.
Thus, Théo is responsible for the marketing part. He notably created the site. Claude takes care of logistics, order preparation and the finance side. For my part, I am in charge of the commercial part.
How did you meet them?
Claude was in my class in L3 and we really hit it off. The JE was not a walk in the park and he was always there to cheer me up in complicated times. One thing led to another, I met all of Claude’s friends in Montélimar, including Théo.
Where did the idea for Halto come from?
We noticed that there was a real craze for beer brewing kits. It’s very fashionable. At the same time, we noticed that mixed rum was coming back into fashion. So we combined the two ideas and said to ourselves: “ Why not make a DIY rum kit? »
How was Halto born?
Théo is a globetrotter, Claude has had a nose for wines and spirits since he was little and I have a very strong eco-responsible imprint. At home, I have bees, sheep and we operate in a short circuit. Thus, from the meeting of these three individuals was born Halto, exotic and fun arranged rum kits, since you have to make them yourself. The flavors are chosen according to the destinations that Théo was able to go to. It’s also eco-responsible since the packaging is 95% recyclable. Spices are transported by sea, sometimes even by sailing boat. Our products come from organic and sustainable farming.
You are very sensitive to the products you use. How do you find them?
I knew our spice supplier through a mutual friend. He selected his spices during his travels and set out to sell them. Today, it supplies plenty of palaces and great French restaurants. In terms of rum, we are lucky to work with a carbon-neutral distillery. It is supplied with energy by the crushing of sugar cane. It is therefore completely autonomous.
How did you think of the recipes?
Initially, we revisited the recipes of our loved ones which we reworked to improve them. We also worked with Théo on the regions which marked him. Thus, we use products from these regions for our kits. Spicy Benin contains bird’s eye chili. Our Kôchi chest is made from hibiscus flower, yuzu and ginger.
Where can Halto products be found?
The basic idea was to develop among individuals. So, we offer a website which markets all of our products. Our presence on social networks has attracted the attention of professionals, delicatessens, wine merchants and restaurateurs. We were even contacted by an events agency specializing in business seminars! We are therefore starting to be referenced by professionals and in stores in Montélimar, in Paris and in the Paris suburbs.
How do you imagine Halto in the future?
The highlight of our adventure is our appearance on the radio which was not planned. We were a hit and we had more than 200 orders. We are therefore facing a development problem. We launch a crowdfunding campaign on Kiss Kiss Bank Bank. The objective is to acquire premises to meet growing demand, but also to be able to launch sponsored campaigns on Facebook and Google. We also want to develop our territorial coverage by listing our products in stores, while developing our range on our site. We imagine expanding to Vodka, Génépi, Gin and even offering a subscription system. The ambition: to titillate the market giants.
Be careful, the abuse ofalcohol is dangerous for health, consume in moderation
