Strolling down Main Street in Hyannis, MA, it’s hard to miss the iconic Kandy Korner with its pink façade and glorious assortment of taffy, chocolates, fudge, ice cream, and souvenirs. What many might not know is the story behind its 34-year-old owner, Paulo-Vitor Paraguay, BSBA ’12.

Says Paulo, “My family is from Brazil, and we came to Cape Cod when I was six years old, so I grew up here.” After finishing high school, Paulo attended Cape Cod Community College. “After that, I wanted to go to business school, and I also wanted to be in the city, where everything was happening.”

Suffolk fit the bill. “Downtown Boston was where I wanted to be. I wanted that vibe and to start building connections and establishing a network.”

While in the BSBA program, Paulo concentrated on international business, but he was also inspired by his courses in finance and marketing. In particular, he recalled all he learned from the Marketing Executive in Residence, David Hartstein, BSBA ’85, MBA ‘86, founder and former CEO of KaBloom and KaBloom.com. As he was considering his career options, a chance opportunity led him to follow his entrepreneurial instincts. “I worked at Kandy Korner for a long time—throughout high school and college. During the spring semester of my senior year at Suffolk, the previous owner decided he was ready to retire. He reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, would you be interested in buying the business?’ I didn’t think twice. I bought the business a little over 12 years ago, before I even graduated.”

Despite the fact that he was just 23 years old when he bought the confectionary, his education, work experience, and entrepreneurial spirit saw him through his first years of ownership. “I didn’t go to Suffolk thinking that I was going to become an entrepreneur and start my own business. By my senior year, I was ready to work in corporate America and all that, but then the opportunity to buy Kandy Korner presented itself.”

Since those early days, Paulo’s business savvy led him to purchase the Palio Pizzeria, also on Main Street in Hyannis. “It’s very convenient because both businesses are literally across the street from each other. I get all my steps in going back and forth. We have a great team in both spots, and I would not be successful without them.”

Throughout his busy days, Paulo has remained an active Suffolk alumnus and loyal donor. In 2022, he was recognized for his service to the University as a “10 Under 10” honoree—and in 2023, he increased his annual giving and joined the Summa Society. Of particular interest to Paulo was supporting his Cape Cod community. When Paulo learned about the Dorothy A. Savarese Scholarship Fund that supports Cape Cod residents attending Suffolk University, he knew it was the perfect fit. Not only did he appreciate the opportunity to support a local resident attending his alma mater, he also personally knew fellow Suffolk graduate Trustee Dorothy Savarese, MBA ’04, HDCS ’21, as he is among the Board of Corporators for the Cape Cod 5, a community bank established by Dorothy.

“It’s important, post-Suffolk, to get involved in the community,” he says. “The skills I gained at Suffolk have helped me to be successful. Now I’m glad to pay that forward by helping others to attain their goals.”