In this episode of Brazil (is not) for Beginners, Isaac sits down with Marcos Couto, President and CEO of Alper Seguros, seasoned insurance executive, and veteran board member. With nearly 40 years in the industry, Marcos has done it all—from starting out in marine insurance at 14, to leading growth strategies at companies like ACE Brazil and executing major turnarounds at Tempo Assist and BR Insurance, now Alper Seguros, a consolidator transforming Brazil’s fragmented insurance brokerage landscape.

Marcos shares the lessons learned from a career defined by bold moves, high-stakes decisions, and a deep understanding of how governance, strategy and a focus on execution and performance shape long-term success. Whether you’re interested in Brazil’s unique business dynamics, leadership under pressure, or scaling companies in tough markets, this conversation delivers insights well beyond the world of insurance.

Other key topics include:

• Why strategic career moves can matter more than linear growth

• What it takes to turn around struggling companies and drive big exits

• How governance, transparency, and board alignment impact business growth

• The playbook for consolidating industries through mergers & acquisitions

• Why meritocracy and culture are critical in scaling high-performance teams

• The hidden opportunities in Brazil’s insurance and brokerage markets

• And lots more…

'Brazil (is not) for Beginners’ is back with a new video episode! This time, Isaac interviews Arcelia Gallardo, from Mission Chocolate, elected BEST CHOCOLATE for 2 consecutive years by VEJA SÃO PAULO COMER & BEBER.

In this episode, Arcelia shares her fascinating journey from working in the culinary industry in Los Angeles to starting her acclaimed chocolate business in Brazil. Key points include the educational mission behind her successful enterprise, and thechallenges and joys of running a small business in Brazil.

Other takeaways from the conversation include:

•      Brazil's unique chocolate culture

•     The historical and cultural significance of cacao

•     The significance of local and sustainable ingredients in Mission Chocolate's bars 

•     The technical process of bean-to-bar chocolate making

•     The process of sourcing cacao and building relationships with farmers

•     How the Brazilian palate for chocolate has evolved

•      And lots more...

In this episode of 'Brazil (is not) for Beginners,' Isaac welcomes Rafa Lichtenecker, VP of Operations at ID Wall, to discuss the complexities and challenges of fraud in Brazil. With 14 years of experience in the fraud and payment industry, Rafa shares his journey from operations to becoming a fraud specialist. The conversation covers the various types of fraud, and dives deep into the unique challenges faced in Brazil.

Rafa highlights the importance of early risk assessment for companies, the role of AI in both aiding and complicating fraud detection, and the significant impact fraud can have on businesses and consumers. He also shares some of his own stories facing fraudsters adding "If you, as a fraud professional, have never been beaten up by fraud, like you are definitely not prepared to work in this field."

Other takeaways from the conversation include:

•      The importance of early risk assessment to prevent significant fraud losses.

•      Different types of fraud: first-party, second-party, and third-party.

•      Unique challenges of managing fraud in Brazil.

•      The evolving role of AI in fraud detection and prevention.

•      Practical steps for companies to protect themselves from fraud.

•      The rise of phishing and scams targeting Brazilian consumers.

•     The impact of fintech innovation on fraud dynamics in Brazil.

•      The necessity for continuous adaptation in fraud prevention strategies.

•      And lots more...

In this episode of 'Brazil (is not) for Beginners,' Isaac welcomesTalita Lacerda, CEO of Petlove, Brazil’s largest pet ecosystem. Talita recounts her inspiring journey from a humble background to leading a major company. The conversation delves deep into the pet industry in Brazil, Petlove’s evolution from an e-commerce platform to a holistic pet care provider, and the peculiarities of Brazilian pet ownership.

Key topics from the discussion include:

·      The pet industry's rapid growth in Brazil, now the third largest market globally.

·      Petlove's transformation from an online retail model to a comprehensive ecosystem offering pet health plans, grooming, and SaaS solutions for veterinarians.

·      The cultural importance of pets in Brazilian households, with Brazilians now have more pets than children.

·      The recent strategic acquisitions that Petlove has made, such as acquiring Vet Smartt and Dog Hero, to enhance its service offerings.

·      The challenges and opportunities in managing a pet care business in Brazil, including managing logistics, delivery and consumer demands.

·      Talita's smooth transition from board member to CEO, and how her focus on collaboration helped maintain the core cultural values of the company.

·       And more...

In this episode of 'Brazil (is not) for Beginners,' host Isaac Matzner interviews Frank Wundheiler, a corporate CFO with over 25 years of experience in various industries including telecom, technology, media, agriculture, and retail in Brazil. Frank shares his insights on the role of the CFO, the unique challenges of operating in the Brazilian market, and his philosophy on team building.

Key takeaways from the conversation include:

•⁠ ⁠The three key pillars of a CFO’s role - managing performance, process transformation & compliance, and strategy & investor relations.

•⁠ The complexities and myths of Brazil's tax regime and capital markets and the importance of maintaining cash.

•⁠ ⁠The importance of building strong, transparent and reliable finance teams and the need for continuous team development to adapt to changing business environments.

•⁠ ⁠The cultural nuances that foreign CFOs must navigate when doing business in Brazil.

•⁠ And lots more...

In our second video episode of “Brazil (is not) for Beginners,” host Isaac Matzner interviews Thomas Troisgros and Andre Meisler, the founding team of Grupo TT. Recorded live at Thomas’ restaurant Oseille, in Rio de Janeiro, they share their professional journeys from banking and cooking to creating a renowned burger joint in Brazil. They discuss the origins of their business, the challenges and triumphs in the restaurant industry, and their innovative approach to Brazilian cuisine.

Key takeaways from the conversation include:

•     The importance of resilient and creative entrepreneurship in Brazil.

•     Developing innovative Brazilian-inspired culinary items like guava ketchup and sweet potato rolls.

•     The role of personal passion and background in shaping business success.

•     Adapting to market challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving business models.

•     Building strong partnerships and focusing on staff well being to enhance customer experience.

·      And lots more...

In this episode of 'Brazil (is not) for Beginners,' host Isaac Matzner interviews Aaron Stanley, the founder of Brazil Crypto Report. They delve into the crypto market in Brazil, discussing its adoption, unique characteristics, and how it compares to other markets. Aaron shares his journey to Brazil, highlighting how his interests in crypto and journalism converged, enabling him to create his media platform. Key takeaways from the conversation include:

•     The significant adoption of crypto in Brazil despite not having a deep-rooted crypto industry.

•     Factors driving Brazilians' interest in crypto, including speculation culture and limited investment options in traditional markets.

•     The role of major financial institutions and fintechs like Nubank in mainstreaming crypto investments.

•     Regulatory developments, including the Central Bank's Drex initiative and upcoming crypto regulations.

•     The underrated importance of Latin America in the global crypto narrative.

·      They also discuss Aaron's personal experiences living in Brazil, including cultural observations and the challenges and rewards of residing outside major urban centers.

·      And lots more...

In this episode of “Brazil (is not) for Beginners,” Isaac interviews Lucas Abreu, founder of the media platform Sunday Drops, who shares his journey from venture capital to content creation. The conversation delves into Lucas's inspirations, and his dedication to maintaining consistency and authenticity in his content creation. Lucas also talks about some of the sectors he is most excited about. Key highlights include:

•      The rapid integration and transformation brought by AI across various sectors, particularly education.

•      A look into the Brazilian venture capital scene, focusing on the emergence of new managers and the opportunities in secondary markets.

•      ⁠The importance of self-sustainability over reliance on venture capital for entrepreneurs.

•      ⁠An examination of the challenges and unique possibilities in Brazilian industries such as healthcare, fintech, and elder care.

•      The rapid growth and challenges of the creator economy in Brazil.

•      The importance of understanding local contexts to achievesuccessful investments in Brazil.

•      His ability to deliver quality content by maintaining andcultivating his curiosity.

•      ⁠And lots more...

In this episode of “Brazil (is not) for Beginners,” Isaac interviews Lina Kempf, co-founder of Aliança Empreendedora, about her organization's mission to support micro-entrepreneurs in Brazil, often from lower-income backgrounds. Lina shares her personal journey from Colombia to Brazil, detailing how her experiences with junior enterprises in Curitiba inspired her to focus on social ventures. Key takeaways from the conversation include:

·      The unique challenges faced by micro-entrepreneurs inlow-income communities;

·      The evolution and impact of Aliança Empreendedora’ssupport programs;

·      The critical role of public policy and advocacy inempowering micro-entrepreneurs;

·      Success stories highlighting the personaltransformation of individuals through entrepreneurship;

·      The cultural and economic importance of promotingentrepreneurial self-awareness and dignity among marginalized groups.

·      And lots more!

In this new episode of "Brazil (is not) for Beginners," Isaac speaks with Tim Chamberlain, co-founder of Brunel Partners, about the intricacies of investing in Brazil. Tim shares his journey from the UK to Brazil via Asia and New York, his role working to raise capital for Brazilian funds and his personal experience living in Brazil including opening a bar in São Paulo.

The conversation delves into various topics including:

·      Tim's background and transition to Brazil

·      The growth and challenges in the Brazilian investment landscape

·      Specialized investment opportunities in Brazil, from agriculture to climate-related projects

·      Tim’s personal experiences of fostering children in São Paulo

·      Lessons learned from running a pub in Brazil

·      And lots more