7/31/2019 Meeting Henrique Alves Pinto in Jardins Paulista
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Brazils New-Generaon Serial Entrepreneur
Were strolling through Jardins Paulista, one of So Paolos
upmarket neighbourhoods. The street
scene is an eclecc mix of luxury bouques and old-school corner
shops, trendy restaurants and
high-rise apartment blocks. Its a sharp contrast to the favelas
that lie on the outskirts of thismetropolis, and once again
underscores the huge contrasts and enormous social dierences
that
exist in Brazil.
But things are changing Brazil is booming. It is one of the few
countries in the world with strong
economic growth and each year millions of people rise above the
poverty line. Later today, we are
going to talk to Henrique Pinto, who is part of a new generaon
of entrepreneurs. With their new
business ethics, these entrepreneurs are the driving force
behind the countrys new economic
power.
We sit down at a caf on Rua Oscar Freire and order two large
laes. Lets see what Google has
on Henrique, I say as I take out my iPad. Born in the city of
Belo Horizonte, a one-hour ight from
So Paulo, he started his rst business at the age of 18. Since
then he has founded more than 10
highly successful companies from scratch, I read out loud. And
as if that werent enough, his busi-
nesses are highly diverse, ranging from granite and marble to
business aviaon, through fruit juices
to cosmecs and construcon. Seems like everything he touches
turns to gold.
I wonder if theres a secret, Maarten jokes as he leans back and
takes a sip of coee. Maybe he
has a secret alchemists formula that he uses to turn all his
businesses into gold. I scroll through
the Google results. I cant nd anything about a formula, and hes
certainly not making a secret ofit. He is sharing his knowledge by
giving movaonal speeches to his employees and high-school
students.
What does he talk about? Maarten asks. What is the main message?
I tap on the iPad screen
and scroll down. Let me see... its about the power of the mind.
Here he quotes Henry Ford:
Whether you think you can or you think you cant, youre right. So
actually, I guess hes teaching
young people to believe in themselves.
Sure, Maarten replies, but its more than just words he shows
them that its possible. The guy
pracses what he preaches. I look at a photo of Henrique on the
tablet. Im seriously looking
forward to meeng him.
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