Home: New York, NY. Birthplace: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Organization: SRP Consulting – The Merchandising Authority. Significant other: My partner and best friend, Avi. Alma mater: Boston College Carroll School of Management. Languages spoken: English, Portuguese (fluent) and Spanish (conversational).
Current project: Building my business blog about the art and science of merchandising (geared towards helping brands build better product assortments for sustainable growth). Latest contribution to others: Volunteering at two organizations that empower women; as a career mentor at Bottomless Closet and as a start-up advisor at Astia Angels. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? From a fifteen year corporate executive career to start-up founder and consultant. Hobbies: Fitness (running, spinning, Tracy Anderson method, hot yoga); collecting contemporary art; aspiring DJ (electronic music). Last book read: Navigating the Metaverse – A Guide to Limitless Possibilities in a Web 3.0 World, by Cathy Hackl, Dirk Lueth, and Tommaso DiBartolo.
Personality profile: Alternating between ENTJ and INTJ (borderline Extrovert/Introvert and Intuitive, Thinking, Judging). What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Passionate. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Mutually inspiring, a shared passion for innovation and for collaboration. What natural talent have you neglected? Drawing. What is your greatest fear? Not accomplishing everything I want to do (not reaching my absolute full potential). What is your guilty pleasure? Karaoke. I can’t really sing, but that doesn’t stop me! What is at the top of your bucket list? Experiencing the northern lights somewhere in the Arctic Circle. How do you relieve stress? Long runs while listening to my favorite music.
What three emojis best describe you? 💥💡💞.
What was your favorite college course? Probability & Statistics; The Study of Color. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Designing clothes for my paper dolls. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Moulin Rouge. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Artificial intelligence – for both personal (streaming music) and professional reasons (exciting and useful insights). What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Art galleries, walks in nature, people watching from a sidewalk café; most anything that slows my mind. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? My family’s move to the US, from Portugal and then Brazil, when I was three. Led to an understanding of cultural and economic differences, to a strong work ethic and fierce independence.
What is your big idea? If retail and fashion brands would be more transparent about what’s working (i.e. selling well) and what isn’t, they could avoid a good deal of over-production that is harmful to our planet. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Encouraging this transparency by getting brands to share knowledge and insights in a thoughtful way that wouldn’t make them feel threatened or vulnerable to their competition. What mega-trend most excites you? NFTs. I’ve always loved art and music, and now some NFT artworks combine music from my favorite producer. Very thrilling!
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Pursuing Patterns and Conquering Curves: My Life In Fashion, Business, and Love. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Julia Louis-Dreyfus. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A fashion designer. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My binder of all the Mother’s Day letters written by my kids.
Personal mission: To say, do, teach, and/or create things that add value or spark joy for others. Personal motto: Never stop learning. Favorite quote: “The ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do” (Steve Jobs).
