Brazil (is not) for Beginners

In the first episode of the new season of “Brazil (is not) for Beginners,” we try something a bit different as we visit Let's Beer in Vila Mariana, Sao Paulo, to interview Guto Procopio, a beer sommelier and co-founder of one of the first bottle shops in the city. While enjoying a few beverages, Isaac and Guto delve into the evolution of Brazil's craft beer industry, share personal journeys in the...

In Recap Episode 2 of 'Brazil (is not) for Beginners,' we’re bringing you the highlights from our expert interviews as we gear up for a new season. Explore the challenges and rewards experienced by both startups and established businesses, gaining expert perspectives on building essential relationships, navigating bureaucratic complexities, and understanding the subtle cultural nuances tha...

Missed any episodes of Season 1 of "Brazil is Not for Beginners"? This episode is your essential guide! While we are hard at work on a new season, this episode brings together the key takeaways from our expert interviews, offering invaluable insights and actionable advice for doing business in Brazil. Learn how to navigate cultural nuances, build strong relationships, overcome bureaucratic challen...

In this season’s final episode of "Brazil (is not) for Beginners," host Isaac Matzner is joined by his co-founders, Daniel Pizarro and Eduardo Nuzzi, to discuss their startup Teddy and their challenging decision to wind down. The co-founders reflect on their three and a half-year journey, sharing insights on: ·      The challenges of launching a startup, especially in Brazil; ·      The hurdles of...

In this insightful episode of “Brazil (is not) for beginners,” host Isaac Matzner welcomes Sergio Suchodolski, Partner and Executive VP at VR Investments, to discuss the intricate landscape of employee benefits in Brazil. Sergio shares his extensive background in development finance and his journey at VR Investments. They explore the origins of the program as a solution for food insecurity, and th...

Giving Tuesday inspires generosity and highlights the importance of philanthropy around the world, including in Brazil. In this episode of "Brazil (is not) for beginners," host Isaac Matzner interviews Leonardo Letelier, Founder & CEO of Sitawi Finance for Good. They discuss Brazil’s philanthropic landscape, its history and trends. Leo talks about his background in engineering and consulting,...

In the latest episode of “Brazil (is not) for beginners,” host Isaac Matzner dives into the dynamic nature of Brazil's Northeastern business culture with Saulo Castro, a Corporate Lawyer and Partner at Valença & Associados. Saulo shares his background as a lawyer, bass player, and cook, and his experiences living in both the Southeast of Brazil and the US, in addition to the Northeast. They al...

In this insightful episode of “Brazil (is not) for Beginners,” host Isaac Matzner welcomes Denise Coronha Lima, Cross-Cultural Specialist and founder of Rio Total Consulting.  Denise shares her journey from teaching Portuguese to foreigners to becoming an expert in intercultural coaching and corporate consulting. They discuss: · The importance of cultural intelligence to bridge cultural gaps. · Ef...

In the latest episode of “Brazil (is not) for Beginners,” host Isaac Matzner speaks with Ana Buchaim, Chief People Officer at B3 – the Brazilian Stock Exchange – about how B3 is shaping the future of Brazil's financial landscape. Ana shares her long experience working in financial markets as well as her experience leading her own podcast “O que tem na sua carteira?.” They talk about: - The role of...

In this insightful episode of "Brazil (is not) for Beginners," host Isaac Matzner interviews Phillip Klien, CEO of ClickBus, to explore the intricacies of Brazil's bus transportation industry and his unique perspective as a tech-executive with an American-Brazilian background. PK shares anecdotes from his career as a founder and at companies like Twitter and Uber, PicPay, and ClickBus, as Isaac an...

In our latest episode, Isaac sits down with Nick Johnston, cofounder of Bacio di Latte, São Paulo Urban Distillery/Jardim Botânico Gin and Social Beans to talk about his experience launching high-end consumer products in Brazil. Isaac and Nick cover: •⁠ ⁠Nick’s journey to Brazil and how he fell in love with it. •⁠ ⁠⁠The importance of details in building brands and growing them over time. •⁠ ⁠⁠The...

Kicking off this Second Season of Brazil (is not) for Beginners, Isaac chats with Jorge Vargas Neto, CEO of BHub, about his entrepreneurial journey, and the complexities of tax and compliance systems when it comes to doing business in Brazil. They cover all things taxes, corporate structures, and a range of other topics, including: Jorge’s natural transition from lawyer to entrepreneur and how he...

Isaac chats with Roberto Borcic, a partner at Pullman Morrison, and Jianggan Li, the Founder and CEO of Momentum Works, about Asian companies' expansion into Brazil. They cover topics such as market entry strategy, cultural adaptation, strategic hiring, the complexities of doing business in Brazil for Asian companies, as well as:  Brazilian market dynamics, including the unique nuances that re...

Isaac and Débora Maria, an operations manager and relocation expert at LARM Brazil, discuss the challenges and considerations for foreigners moving to Brazil. Débora provides valuable insights into the complexities of relocating to Brazil and highlights the importance of thorough preparation for a successful transition. The conversation covers: ⁠The complexities of moving to Brazil, including navi...

Isaac speaks to Amanda Martins, the Founder of LatAm Trampoline, a product launch and operations specialist who helps businesses successfully expand into Latin America. They talk about: Entry strategies, including MVP testing, localization, and partnering with locals. Brazil's large market, tech-savvy population, and how founders may face less competition than in other markets. How a grasp of...

Isaac chats with good friends and Fintech visionaries Andrew Endicott, the Co-Founding Partner at Gilgamesh Ventures, and Alex Johnson, the author of Fintech Takes, about the Fintech landscape in Brazil.  They discuss: Brazil's growing importance in the global Fintech landscape and its vibrant entrepreneurial culture. How fintech innovations like PIX and Open Banking, alongside the development...

Isaac sits down with long-time friends Sebastian Dominguez, the CEO of Builders, and Débora Mioranzza, the VP of Sales for the Americas at Degreed, to talk about hiring and building teams in Brazil. The three cover a lot of ground, including: Advice for companies hiring foreigners, and how blending local and international perspectives can be advantageous. The importance of relationship building, i...

Isaac sits down with Julia de Luca, an investment banker at ItauBBA specializing in tech coverage, and author of the LatAm Tech Weekly Newsletter. Coming off the recent launch of her report “The Next Big Thing LatAm 2024,” Julia talks about the trends she is watching and Brazil’s unique tech landscape, including: The trends she is watching, not just for 2024, but out to 2030. ⁠The challenges and o...

Isaac and Moises Assayag, a Turnaround and Transformation Specialist working with major Brazilian football clubs, discuss the business of football (futebol) in Brazil. Including: Brazil's unique football system and the rapid transformations underway. Football Economics 101 and the historical financial struggles of Brazilian football clubs. The challenges involved in investing in Brazilian foot...

In this extra-special bonus end-of-year episode, Isaac and Fernanda Caloi, Director of Special Projects at Latitud, discuss community-building in Brazil.  Fernanda shares valuable insights on the importance of putting people first and maintaining a balanced community dynamic where trust, mutual support, and shared experiences are prioritized. They touch upon the strengths and communication challen...

Isaac nerds out about insurance with Carlos Azevedo, Partner and Co-Head of the Insurance Practice at Pinheiro Neto.  They discuss: The Brazilian insurance landscape; its challenges and opportunities, arising from historical legacies and traditions. Why, contrary to popular opinion, insurance is indeed sexy.  The need for breaking barriers, and technology's role in overcoming bureaucratic chal...

Isaac speaks with Guta Tolmasquim, the Founder and CEO of Purple Metrics, about building brands in Brazil. The discussion covers: The shift from online to offline interactions and the importance of community in marketing in Brazil. Challenges in the global marketing landscape, and the changing dynamics between brand building and demand generation. Guta pushes for Brazil to contribute to the global...

Isaac speaks to Gustavo Camargo, a partner at Bain & Company in the São Paulo office and a leader of the Private Equity practice in South America, about best practices for investing in Brazil. They cover: Pre and post-investment strategies, misconceptions about investing in Brazil, and the importance of a long-term commitment. The need to understand the local market, build relationships, and m...

Isaac speaks with Ruben Guerrero, the CEO of WeBull Latin America, about building businesses in Brazil as a foreigner. The conversion touches on: Brazil's evolving landscape and the founding of Sproutfi to address financial education challenges, aiming to provide accessible investment options. The unique challenges of building a startup in Brazil, with an emphasis on the need for a deep unders...

Brazil (is not) for Beginners is a podcast about the opportunities and challenges of doing business in Brazil. Host Isaac Matzner is the founder of Teddy , a startup based in São Paulo. Isaac talks to business leaders, startup founders, historians, academics, and his friends about why Brazil is a unique place to work and do business. Episodes will air monthly, beginning with three episodes on Octo...