Windy Shao windysjf@hotmail.com ORIGINALLY from the southern region of Brazil, coffee entrepreneur Gabriel Scholze da Silva has developed a profound connection with Shenzhen through discovering the cultural and spiritual similarities between the two lands. “There are significant similarities between the two countries, especially when talking about the southern side. I have been in China for almost seven years already, so I always tell everyone that one-third of me is Chinese,” he shared during an interview with Shenzhen Daily. As a partner of the Santa Coffee Group, Gabriel’s company was established with the aim of introducing Brazilian specialty coffee to China. “Our mission is not just to supply coffee but also to share the story behind its origin, celebrating the culture and labor behind every cup,” he emphasized. Gabriel and his partners chose China as the first target for expansion, leveraging their experience and local connections to establish a distribution network in one of the world’s fastest-growing coffee-drinking markets. By introducing Brazilian coffee to Chinese tables, the company is playing an instrumental role in promoting specialty coffee culture in a country traditionally dominated by tea. Beyond supplying coffee, the company functions as an ecosystem in which solutions for the coffee market are developed. This includes exporting Chinese coffee-related technologies such as roasting equipment and high-quality accessories to the Brazilian market. Business inception The inception of this business venture stemmed from Gabriel’s personal quest to experience complete Brazilian culinary traditions in China. Observing a gap in the market where the tradition of enjoying Brazilian coffee after a meal was absent, he felt compelled to introduce this aspect to the local scene, which is largely dominated by Italian coffee. “In China, we like to gather with Brazilians on holidays or birthday parties. But I found that something was missing. Every time in Brazil, after the self-service meat meal, we have a cup of coffee. But here, only Italian coffee was served. Then I became more interested in the coffee industry,” he said. Recognizing an opportunity to offer customers a full Brazilian culinary experience, Gabriel began exploring various business models and their suitability for China. The journey began by meticulously sourcing and selecting coffee beans directly from Brazilian farms. Gabriel is dedicated to creating a seamless supply chain, ensuring that every step from bean to cup is carefully orchestrated. Working closely with his Brazilian team, they search for the finest coffee beans to entice the Chinese palate. “We have numerous agents in Brazil who work with coffee farmers to source the best beans, and we oversee the entire supply chain,” Gabriel explained. He has visited many of Shenzhen’s independent coffee shops. Known for its vibrant coffee culture, the city is home to around 10,000 coffee-related enterprises. “We focus on these independent coffee shops, where we can directly engage with the roasters, exchange knowledge, and determine the best products suited for these establishments,” he said. Long-term plan Looking ahead to his future in Shenzhen, Gabriel envisions building a family, establishing a life, and embracing the vibrant city as his own over the next decade. What truly fascinates him about working in Shenzhen is the abundant opportunities it presents. “Foreigners here can leverage their cultural understanding, language skills, and connections with the locals to exchange experiences and extend mutual help. When you respect and appreciate the culture, the Chinese people are extremely welcoming,” he noted. Considering Shenzhen an ideal place for individuals to pursue their career aspirations, Gabriel encourages others to explore the city for its diverse opportunities. He firmly believes that with a unique business and willingness to collaborate with industry peers, anyone can carve out a niche without direct competition. Witnessing a notable increase in revenue since the company’s inception, Gabriel emphasizes the significance of sustainable growth moving forward. “We are cautious about growing too rapidly, but considering where we started from — zero — our new challenge is to ensure sustainable growth.” | 