Maria Ines runs an art gallery and event space from her apartment, is launching a networking group for businesses, and manages a Facebook page for empty nest parents.
Simone is an author, mindset mentor, and co-leader of the entrepreneurship committee in the group Mulheres do Brasil.
Priscilla is an architect specializing in interior design who brings Brazilian style to homes around the world.
What do these three entrepreneurs from different business areas have in common?
Well, first of all, they are all Brazilian. But that just scratches the surface.
All three are creating space for women to expand their businesses and creative projects in a world where the odds may be against them.
Maria Ines
apART
http://apartprivategallery.com
Maria Ines did not follow a typical path. Some would say she “wore many hats.” She studied Chemistry in college to please her parents. But after spending a year visiting the U.S., she found her true calling in hospitality.
Starting from scratch, Maria moved to the U.S. and tried a variety of careers, from preschool teacher to nonprofit founder. She wanted to explore new possibilities after her children grew up and dreamed of developing a private art gallery in her NYC apartment called apART.
By coincidence, Maria discovered another woman in São Paulo doing something similar. Naturally, they joined forces. Ready for the challenge, Maria began promoting artists, leading fashion shows, and even hosting Vogue photo shoots with apART, directing the profits to her nonprofit organization to help elderly and disabled communities in Brazil.
Always seeking challenges, Maria Ines’ entrepreneurial spirit led her to get involved in other projects. She launched a support group on Facebook for women called Empty Nest S.O.S., collaborating with 15 nationalities and leading live events for women to connect and discover their hidden talents.
“I have always felt very inspired by women in very underprivileged communities,” says Maria. “Very powerful women who work so hard to make ends meet. Single mothers, they are incredible and true entrepreneurs without even knowing it.”
Her latest venture is a networking group called Global Networking Empire, created to connect professionals from different fields by offering social and professional events.
What motivates her is encouraging women to launch their dreams, even when it seems impossible. While many women in Brazil struggle to survive, they have incredible passions and potentials. Maria encourages them, urging them to believe in themselves.
“When you want something, and if you want the business to succeed, you have to take action and just do it,” she says.
Simone Mitjans
Grupo Mulheres do Brasil
www.grupomulheresdobrasil.org.br
If women get stuck on their path to entrepreneurship, Simone should be their spiritual guru. An author, mentor, and business consultant, Simone knows what women are dealing with.
As a mother, Simone quickly realized that the best way to create more time with family was to be her own boss. “I knew I wanted to follow my passions,” she told us.
While balancing the launch of her own business and family life, Simone heard about the Grupo Mulheres do Brasil, a group created by entrepreneur Luisa Trajano, president of Magazine Luiza SA, to support Brazilian women living around the world. For her, the organization fulfilled her desire to connect with women while also addressing the needs of her community.
Founded in 2013 in São Paulo, today GMB is represented in 19 countries. In NYC, the group has 9 committees: health, women’s rights, arts and culture, education, immigration, public policy, events, communication, and entrepreneurship.
As co-leader of the entrepreneurship committee in NY, Simone assists women by fostering a network of Brazilian professionals, supporting small business initiatives, and offering mentoring services. For her, the key to their success lies in finding existing projects and foundations in Brazilian communities and helping them achieve a greater impact. “We are not going to reinvent the wheel,” she concludes.
As a mindset mentor, Simone shared with us her secret to creating an amazing business: “Do your homework, prepare, research, talk to people who have been through it.” She says luck doesn’t hurt either, but women will be able to withstand the ups and downs of launching a business with careful preparation.
Priscilla Rossetti
Rossetti Design
@Rossettidesignnyc
Priscilla graduated in architecture and has always had a passion for interior design. After taking several specialized courses in New York, she noticed a market need for contemporary interior design.
“Rossetti Design was created to serve the Brazilian community in the tri-state area. Brazilians like modern furniture, light colors, straight lines, and a cleaner décor; different from most of what is currently found in New York and neighboring areas,” she said.
“Before the pandemic, I mainly worked with in-person meetings with clients, but I was already serving online clients in Brazil and Portugal. My first client was a restaurant in Manhattan, and they invited me to decorate their home in Portugal.”
With the pandemic, Priscilla’s online services became her main asset, attracting many new clients interested in adapting their spaces to the reality of having the whole family at home, studying and working. 
“Working online means greater client involvement. They need to be able to articulate their needs, goals, and engage in the project development process.”
Priscilla says that perhaps some of these changes are here to stay, but that might not be a bad thing. A more adaptable workspace might just enhance our work experiences and provide more work-life balance.
The biggest challenge, she says, is networking with language barriers. As an immigrant, she highlights the importance of a solid education for those looking to start a business in the United States.
To succeed with a new business, Priscilla suggests investing in courses – she recommended those from the New York Art Institute – while keeping an eye on new trends. Even visiting local art galleries can bring inspiration and allow the mind to discover new things.
The stories of these three women share a common trait: to succeed, you need to adapt and keep your eyes open for the opportunities around you.
Stay tuned for more stories of incredible women here and share with us your favorite entrepreneurs in the comments section below!
ILANA LIPSZTEIN
Journalist & Entrepreneur
Instagram: @ilana_wip
ilevents2@aol.com
Photos Maria Inês & Priscila: Imprensa