New Businesses in Times of Coronavirus

Entrepreneurs see the crisis as an opportunity and invest in new sectors. After six years in the furniture rental business for parties and events, Cíntia Dutra decided to “roll up her sleeves” and take on new challenges.

“With the pandemic, the holding of parties significantly decreased, impacting my segment. But I didn't give up. I understood that this could be an opportunity. I went back to the factory and decided to develop furniture,” said the entrepreneur.

With the decision for the new investment, Cíntia reports that she doubled her working hours. “Before the pandemic, I wasn't on the front line. I was more in management. Given this new challenge, I had no choice. I needed to dedicate much more than 100% to make it work,” she said.

Another entrepreneur who seized the opportunity was Ivan Machado, who works in the textile sector. He decided to invest in the real estate market and will bring RE/MAX, considered the largest in the world in its field, to Espírito Santo. “It will be the first franchise of the 20 planned for the next two years,” he stated.

When asked about opening businesses during the pandemic that affects the whole world, Ivan says that the fact does not directly affect his work unfolding in the digital universe. “The client can know the property digitally, with a 360º tour, meetings will be held via videoconference, among other conveniences,” he shared.

The crisis motivated

Cíntia Dutra recalls that the pandemic enhanced a project that was already underway. “The crisis with the pandemic gave me the opportunity to have time to dedicate myself. Now I have been working hard to have a furniture industry focused on the party segment, with a high standard of quality. Even now we have made hires, purchased equipment, and established partnerships even with industries from other states for machine sharing,” she revealed.

Now the entrepreneur's goal is to achieve ISO quality standards. Therefore, she takes the time to gain more knowledge and train employees, preparing the company for this stage.

“The fulfillment I have felt at this moment, even with the crisis, is indescribable. I have grown as an entrepreneur and as a person. In addition to the satisfaction of providing job opportunities at a time when layoffs haunt society as a whole,” she shared.