After years of experience in sales and chocolate-making, Vivian Lins Moreira decided to take the leap and open her own chocolate shop in Brussels. A long-held dream, made possible through hard work, support, and financing.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Vivian Lins Moreira, I am Brazilian, and I have always loved pastry-making and working with chocolate. In Brazil, I was already making Easter eggs that I sold in supermarkets.
When I arrived in Belgium in 2000, I worked in sales. In 2006, I had health problems and lost my job. That was when chocolate came back into my life.
I decided to train at CERIA in chocolate-making and pastry-making. During my internships, I met a chocolatier near my home, Yasushi Sasaki, who later hired me. I stayed there for 13 years, working both in sales and in the workshop.
In 2022, the need to start my own business became obvious. I felt it was the right time to make my dream come true. So I resigned, despite my fears.
Can you tell us about your project?
n 2023, I opened my chocolate shop, “Pra.Lins, by Vivian Lins,” with the desire to introduce people to Brazilian fruits and share the flavors of my childhood.
For example, the “Prestige Coco” praline is a tribute to the chocolate bars my grandfather used to give me when I was little.
I like combining original flavors, such as cupuaçu, a cousin of cocoa with a slightly acidic and fruity taste, which may be suitable for people who are intolerant to cocoa.
Is Pra.Lins a family story?
Yes, completely. I work with my husband, who helps me in the workshop.
My son works part-time managing the shop. He is also starting to create pralines and will develop our presence at trade fairs.
And my daughter, who has a background in accounting, helps us with all administrative procedures and invoice management.
What was your financial journey like?
I was fortunate to be supported by my former employer, who lent me money to purchase the business. I also obtained a bank loan, but I was still missing part of the budget.
I turned to the Centre Dansaert for advice. My contact, Maxime, helped me prepare my application and suggested that I apply for additional financing from brusoc by finance&invest.brussels, to ensure a minimum level of cash flow and invest in equipment.
Today, I have almost finished repaying my loan, and I am considering submitting a new application to develop the brand and the packaging.
What was your experience with brusoc like?
With brusoc, everything was simple. I came with a well-prepared application, thanks to the support I had received. They analyzed my project, asked a few questions… and since everything was in order, they approved it.
I was really happy. I felt that everything was finally falling into place to allow me to launch the project I had been dreaming about for a long time.
Any advice for other people who would like to get started?
Never hesitate to ask. You have to work hard, of course. And you must not think that the money coming in is immediately yours. You first have to pay the bills, anticipate expenses, and move forward gradually.
But above all, you have to dare. Dare to ask, dare to take the leap… and take care of your health.
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