The study "Female Entrepreneurship – Under the Lens of the Continuous PNAD," conducted by Sebrae based on data from IBGE, indicates that Brazil reached the mark of 10.4 million female entrepreneurs in 2024, the highest number in the historical series and representing a growth of approximately 42% compared to 2012. Despite the progress, female participation is still below potential: although 51.7% of the working-age population is composed of women, they represent only 34.1% of business owners in the country.
In this scenario, the trajectory of Juliana Stephani from São Paulo stands out as an example of how passion can transform into a business opportunity and a reference for innovation. A veterinary doctor by training, with specializations completed outside of Brazil, Juliana combined two of her greatest passions, animals and travel, to found PETFriendly Turismo, an agency specializing in the transportation of dogs and cats.
"Women bring a humanized, detailed, and innovative vision to business. The growth of female entrepreneurship in Brazil is an opportunity to show that we can increasingly occupy strategic spaces and generate positive impact in society," comments Juliana.
The company offers complete solutions for families who need to relocate their pets within and outside the country, acting from the planning and route development to the issuance of international documents, airline tickets, ground transfers, monitoring during the journey without the pet owner, and the sale of essential items, such as carriers and transport bags.
The business model has shown impressive results. In 2024, PETFriendly Turismo recorded revenue of R$17,453,500, with over 7,000 services performed and 1,900 clients served. Currently, the agency organizes an average of 70 trips per month and projects to reach the mark of 100 trips per month by the end of 2025. To achieve this, it is betting on an expansion plan that forecasts growth of 151% in the next year.
The founder's goal is to transform the company into a complete ecosystem, capable of offering everything that involves the transportation of pets with comfort, well-being, and safety. Among the new areas under study are in-person support services at airports, issuance of certifications and visas for pet owners, as well as applications that facilitate communication with airlines.