Hailing from Brazil, Gabriel spent his youth in a geographical region town, surrounded through nature and farms.
Now, as he lives in Singapore, surrounded through skyscrapers, he’s bringing a work of that right here thru his trade, The Berry Spot.
At 17, Gabriel had packed up and left to review trade management, which cultivated his pastime for sustainability and fairtrade practices.
He went directly to revel in other cultures, dwelling in nations like Taiwan and Bharat, and other towns in Brazil, sooner than after all settling in Singapore, the place he lives along with his spouse and son.
However why decide right here? Gabriel shared that on lead of his spouse’s paintings alternatives in Singapore, the selection additionally matched his dream to unfold the advantages of açaí to extra family in Asia.
“As a typical Brazilian who grew up practising sports and eating açaí frequently, I want to spread this habit and show that açaí can be much more than a dessert and its power can go far beyond the nutritive aspects,” he mentioned.
Gabriel elaborated, “I have always been passionate about sustainability and fairtrade, and The Berry Spot comes from an old dream to build something that could cause impact and benefit the whole chain, from local communities, to consumers and workers.”
Making his impaired desires a gift truth, he based The Berry Spot in August 2022.
Supercharging superfoods
As its title alludes to, The Berry Spot is all about açaí berries in addition to alternative “rainforest superfoods”, which please see superfoods from the Amazon jungle.
Past condition advantages, those superfoods also are remodeling the commercial dynamics within the Amazon jungle, the place family are moving from actions that hurt the jungle to ones that get better it.
However açaí berry isn’t unusual in Singapore anymore. Gabriel himself recognises this, pronouncing that the superfood marketplace has grown a quantity over time.
Then again, he thinks that simply because the marketplace is saturated doesn’t heartless that it’s saturated with the suitable issues.
“Every day thousands will try açaí for the first time and some players take advantage of this to offer açaí-based products with low fruit concentration—overly sweetened, and frequently overpriced,” he identified.
Thus, Gabriel noticed might potentially bring in an unique, higher-quality product that’s nonetheless obtainable and simple to devour in Southeast Asia.
No longer best would this resolution give a contribution against the Amazon’s financial system, it will additionally permit The Berry Spot to practise sustainable sourcing practices.
Except that, The Berry Spot additionally intends to arise out through permitting consumers the liberty to select limitless toppings with out paying residue for them.
They’re additionally launching alternative açaí primarily based merchandise equivalent to drinks and substances for the retail and meals provider sector.
“I believe it opens a world of possibilities for new recipes and I am sure our clients will come with great and innovative ways of consuming açaí,” Gabriel progressive.
Berry-picking for the suitable companions
The Berry Spot’s travel has now not been simple, the founder admitted. There were many demanding situations in the case of logistics, particularly as they’re sourcing high quality substances that require right kind reserve and transportation.
“Additionally, being a solo founder in a foreign country meant that I had to wear multiple hats and overcome cultural and language barriers to establish partnerships,” Gabriel spread out.
To triumph over those demanding situations, the founder considering construction a powerful community of providers and logistics companions and began attending occasions to amplify his private community in Singapore.
Nonetheless, the group faces hindrances in increasing the trade time keeping up the prime requirements of high quality and buyer revel in. That is coupled through expanding prices within the financial system, which calls for Gabriel to scrupulously supremacy bills time proceeding to put money into innovation and sustainability.
Shifting ahead, even though, Gabriel anticipates franchising to be a bulky a part of the trade style.
“We have been specialising in sourcing and creating healthy products and solutions and the best way to spread it and increase our impact is by partnering with those who know their community, culture, and habits,” he mentioned.
Necessarily, The Berry Spot is looking for to paintings with family who will also be ambassadors of the trade’s values and sight.
“I believe this synergy will help us to reach more people with more speed and consistency,” Gabriel mentioned.
X marks the spot
Settingup The Berry Spot, he had a capital of round S$100K, investment from the group’s personal wallet in addition to some capital raised from buddies and population.
“This was the only money we had access to, so we had no choice other than being profitable fast,” he mentioned.
With this mentality, The Berry Spot’s style is in line with lowering the territory wanted and automating processes to shed manpower—two really extensive prices in Singapore.
Gabriel mentioned that their outlet reached operational breakeven within the 3rd era. From there, they upped their center of attention on potency, and feature reached over 23% EBITDA in Q1 of 2024.
“While we are currently profitable with a solid and sustainable business model for the food service, we are preparing for a seed round to fuel our expansion into new markets, and launch new products to B2C and B2B clients,” he mentioned.
Taking a look forward, The Berry Spot has targets to amplify its presence in Singapore through opening brandnew shops in strategic places, which might be supported through its franchise style.
However past the island, Gabriel targets to go into brandnew markets throughout the Southeast Asian patch, diversifying their product choices to cater to other shopper personal tastes and desires.
“Ultimately, our goal is to establish The Berry Spot as a leading provider of açaí and rainforest superfoods across Asia, becoming a brand synonymous with health and sustainability,” he shared.
Be told extra about The Berry Spot right here.
Learn alternative articles we’ve written about F&B companies right here.
Featured Symbol Credit score: The Berry Spot