Recent data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor states that over 48% Brazilians intend to start a new business in the next 3 years. Furthermore, two-thirds of the population are confident in their entrepreneurial abilities, and, moreover, just over half (51%) believe that the fear of failure is not a deterrent to starting a new business. Entrepreneurship expert Reginaldo Boeira experienced three major setbacks before achieving success. He owns KNN, one of Brazil's top 5 language franchise networks, as well as several other companies in diverse sectors.
"If I could leave just one lesson for anyone thinking about starting a business, it would be: don't be afraid to invest. Fear is a barrier we all have, but success only comes to those who decide to overcome it. I've faced many major challenges, and in none of those moments have I considered giving up. On the contrary, I learned the importance of resilience and persistence. Each failure taught me how to 'adjust the sails', to understand the market and to seek new opportunities," they say.
Before founding KNN Idiomas, Reginaldo Boeira had a journey marked by ups and downs. At 12, he began his entrepreneurial journey selling sweets to support his humble family. With determination and effort, he tried other ventures, such as a butcher shop and a semi-jewellery business, but without success. Reginaldo's third "fall" came in an IT company, and from that moment, he understood that to be a successful entrepreneur, he needed to invest in what he truly enjoyed, and that money would be a consequence. In Reginaldo's case, he decided to invest in languages.
I learned English as a child, thanks to a little battery-powered radio I got. Curious, I'd try to learn with the help of a dictionary. This passion for the language led me to invest in the language teaching industry. Furthermore, a passion for entrepreneurship also propelled me to teach other businesspeople how to make money and succeed, which is why the franchise model has been so successful. And working with what you love is undoubtedly one of the most important pillars for lasting success. When we're involved in a project or business we're truly passionate about, our dedication goes far beyond physical effort or hours invested. We're completely immersed, connected to the mission of what we do, and that gives us a unique strength," explains Boeira.
"Of course, during the journey, if things go wrong, the secret is understanding that failure is part of the process, and that often it's a learning experience and a springboard to success. And Brazilians have this tenacity of 'never giving up'; it's almost a motto that people carry with them, and it needs to be adopted in different areas of their lives – professional, personal, business, and even health, as is my case. I recently overcame cancer and continue with constant follow-ups, valuing life and never giving up on having more and more complete health every day to pursue all the projects I have for myself and my companies," states Boeira.
Beyond KNN Idiomas, Reginaldo, with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, has expanded his businesses by establishing new companies, such as Phenom Idiomas, which has been operating in Brazil for 3 years and has opened over 50 locations nationwide; Boeira Construtora, focused on the construction sector in the Itajaí Valley region of Santa Catarina; and also ventures in marketing, foreign trade, and tourism, such as Rancho Otto, in the Santa Catarina mountains, a highly sought-after tourist destination throughout the year.
Business landscape in Brazil
According to recent research, Brazil has registered more than 60 million National Registry of Legal Persons (CNPJ) entries throughout its history. Of this total, just over 21 million are active. The research also shows that 94.5% of active businesses are parent companies, followed by 5.5% of subsidiaries. The majority of active companies are parent companies, representing 94.5%, while only 5.5% are subsidiaries. Importantly, micro businesses (ME) account for over 771,000 of the market, and most of these are individual entrepreneurs (MEIs), comprising 75.62% of the total.
