Do what you truly love – you only live once!
On the bustling Beira-Mar Beach, amid the sounds of laughter, the footsteps of tourists, and the sweet aroma of açaí, stands Sandra—or rather, Sandra do Coco. With over 20 years of experience, she has transformed a simple cart into a business full of soul. Her story is one of overcoming adversity, flavor, and love for what she does.
How it all began
My name is Sandra, but here in Beira-Mar many people know me as Sandra do Coco. My history with entrepreneurship began more than twenty years ago, selling coconut water on the beach. It was a simple job, but one I did with dignity and a lot of determination. Over time, I learned, facing the ups and downs of life as a street vendor, until a new chapter began to unfold.
When Beira-Mar underwent a major renovation, the opportunity arose to participate in the bidding for the new kiosks. That’s when everything started to change. I registered as a microentrepreneur and, with courage, entered the competition. We won lot 2. At the time, my husband dreamed of working with açaí, but we had never been able to put that plan into practice—the priority had always been coconut. With the new space, he decided to open a pastry shop, and I continued with coconuts… until I discovered myself.
The discovery of açaí
I started testing açaí little by little. I added one option, then two… and suddenly, I realized that this was my place. Açaí took over, won over customers, and before I knew it, I had truly found myself. Today, Brisas do Açaí is more than a business—it’s my identity.
We work with natural açaí, made with care. But we also offer some popular creams, such as cupuaçu, pistachio, and strawberry. We don’t have a large structure, so I chose to focus on what works. These flavors have built customer loyalty, and the logistics work well this way. Sometimes they ask for something different, but the essentials are always here—with quality.
I chose to work with açaí not only because I like it, but because it is a healthy, light food that is sought after by those who seek well-being. Nowadays, everyone is looking for gluten-free, lactose-free options, and açaí fits perfectly into this lifestyle. It came into my life like a glove.
The challenges of entrepreneurship
Of course, the road wasn’t easy. Entrepreneurship in Brazil is a daily challenge. Costs are high, taxes are heavy, and labor is a constant problem. Hiring people who really want to walk alongside you is very difficult. I have no formal training in business administration, I’ve never had a large business—I come from the ground, from the streets, from the reality of someone who learned by doing.
“You start a business without knowing if it will work, but you have to believe. If you don’t believe, no one else will.”
I have thought about giving up, yes. There were days when everything seemed too complicated—especially because of the difficulty in finding committed employees. It’s not just about knowing how to serve or prepare the product. It’s about wanting to be together, to build something.
Today I am 52 years old and I continue to learn, a little every day. I adapt, I make mistakes, I correct them, I continue. Because despite everything, I love what I do.
The magic of Beira-Mar
Luckily, we are in a privileged location, in a tourist area. During the day, there is less activity—the heat drives tourists away, who prefer to visit other beaches. But when night falls, Beira-Mar comes alive. The weather changes, a pleasant breeze blows, people leave their hotels to go for a stroll… and pass by here. That’s when everything happens.
“The night at Beira-Mar is magical. People come calmly, wanting to eat well and enjoy the atmosphere. And our açaí is part of that itinerary.”
Today, Beira-Mar offers everything: pastries, hamburgers, ice cream, bars, restaurants, scooters… But açaí remains the flagship product. And I’m still here, smiling, serving each person who stops at my kiosk with care. Some come out of curiosity, others are long-time customers. And they all leave with more than just a cup in their hands—they leave with a little bit of my story too.
Entrepreneurship isn’t easy. It requires courage, faith, and a lot of persistence. But it is possible. I am proof of that. I started with a cart, with coconuts, with calloused hands and without knowing what lay ahead. Today, I have a steady business, loyal customers, and a reason to wake up every day and keep fighting.
“If I can do it, anyone can. You just have to believe, work with love, and not be afraid to start over.”
Attention, memory, and affection
Before arriving here, I went through a lot. I worked for other people my entire life, starting at a very young age. My last job was at a salon, where I stayed for seven years. I enjoyed customer service, selling products, talking to customers… but chemistry, hair, those things, weren’t my thing. What I really loved was human contact, interaction, that good energy that comes from providing good service. And that’s exactly what I found again when I came to Beira-Mar.
Anyone who comes here falls in love with it. It’s as if the place embraces you. And that’s exactly how it was for me: I came, saw this beautiful sea, this hustle and bustle, this mix of people from all over the world… and I didn’t want to leave. I started with a little stand on Iracema Beach, I believed in it, I persisted, and then I participated in the lottery for the new Beira-Mar project. Later came the bidding, and then Brisas do Açaí was born.
This place is very special to me. It’s not just a tourist spot—it pulsates. There’s something alive here, something that changes every day. One day there’s a show, the next day dolphins appear, the next day they set up a brand new, super modern gym. There’s the salted popcorn vendor, the sweet popcorn vendor, there’s açaí, pastries, people walking, laughing, dating, living. And in the middle of it all, there I am, with my kiosk, part of that energy.
“Beira-Mar isn’t something you give yourself to… it’s something that gives itself to you.”
Community and loyal customers
When I talk about my customers, I have a lot of good things to say. I have loyal customers from all over—from Fortaleza itself, but also from Pindoretama, Caucaia, Maranguape. And many of them came through referrals from others. There are tourists who come and come back, or send friends and relatives. We become almost like a family. It’s funny, because many people think I sell açaí or coconut. But no. What I sell is service. That’s what makes the difference. Welcoming, listening, treating people with kindness. That’s priceless.
Today, I can’t even say if I have more local customers or tourists. In the past, with coconuts, it was mostly the locals. But now with açaí, I think it’s even more tourists. And it’s good to see this mix, this exchange. And when customers come back, call you by name, recommend you to others… that’s when you feel you’re on the right track.
Expansion and flavors
About expanding… look, a lot of people ask me why I’m not on iFood. I know that if I put coconut water there, it would be a success. But I can’t handle it. I serve very carefully, by appointment, and that’s what I can offer at the moment. There’s no point in promising the world if I can’t deliver. I’m aware of that. With açaí, maybe one day I’ll go for delivery, yes. It’s easier to transport. But coconut water is not feasible. It is perishable, sensitive, and requires careful logistics. So, if I do it, it has to be done right.
Today, my most popular flavors are creme de ninho, açaí — of course —, and now pistachio, which has become a favorite. My favorite? Açaí and cupuaçu. Ah, cupuaçu is the best! A fruit from the Amazon, full of history. We serve it in cream, like a dessert. Up north, people even eat it with fish and flour, right? But here we’ve adapted it. And there’s also the new cone that just arrived, to refresh people even more.
Create your own flavors? I’m not much of an inventor, to be honest. I prefer something practical, quick, especially because I’ve been through a lot. In 2011, I had cancer, so today I see the world through different eyes. If someone has already done something good and shows me that it works, I use it. Like the “strawberry of love” that’s all the rage on social media. I leave that to the confectioners. I go for the easy logistics.
Memorable stories and advice
Memorable moments? Well, with açaí, there hasn’t been one that has left a deep impression on me yet. But with coconuts… ah, with coconuts I have several stories. Once, a tourist came up and said, “Your coconuts are the most expensive I’ve seen from Iracema Beach to here.” So I looked at him and said, “Sir, I don’t sell coconuts. I sell service. Would you like to buy some?” He stopped, thought about it, and said he would. And he even paid me triple the original price, saying it was the cheapest and most special service he had ever received in his life. That made an impression.
There was also Rita Brito, a journalist. She observed me and wrote a beautiful article about it. She said, “Your coconuts are the most expensive, but what caught my attention was the way you treat people.” I don’t even sell coconuts—I sell hospitality, listening, care. That’s what makes the difference.
Because in the end, it’s not the product. It’s the way you treat others. You never know who’s going to show up at your counter. And even on days when we’re not feeling so good, we’re the face of the business. We’re the ones who impact others.
For those who dream of leaving everything behind and coming to work near the sea, my advice is: go for it. Leave everything you don’t love behind. Because near the sea, the energy is different. I don’t know if it’s the iodine, the wind, or the sound of the waves. But it’s something else. And entrepreneurship is challenging, it’s not for everyone. But if you love what you do, go for it. Believe in yourself. Because if you don’t believe, no one else will.
And even if it doesn’t work out — at least you tried. Better that than spending your life wondering, “What if I had gone?”
Future and purpose
When I think about the future of Beira-Mar, what comes to mind most is the need for more trees. I would love to see more greenery around here. Especially during the day, it is sorely lacking. From dawn until early morning—from 5:00 to 7:30—Beira-Mar is full of life: runners, cyclists, sports coaches. But when the sun starts to heat up, around eight or eight-thirty, things change. The movement disappears, the heat punishes, and Beira-Mar becomes sad, still. And I know that this could be different if there were more trees, more shade, more breeze.
In the section where I work, between Rui Barbosa and Desembargador Moreira, there are almost no trees. Further ahead, there is more greenery, there are stalls that work better with this structure. But here… there is very little. And I’m not saying this to complain, no. On the contrary. I always say that nothing is out of place. Everything has its time, its reason. I just think that if it’s going to improve, it should be to add value. If it’s going to bring benefits to those who live, work, or visit here, then bring it on! But if not, it’s better to leave it as it is.
And look… not every change is for the better. Many people think so, but I disagree. Sometimes it improves for one person and worsens for another. And, at the end of the day, I’m one of those people who prefers to look ahead. I don’t get stuck in the past. There have been so many challenges over the past 20 years, so much progress, so many obstacles overcome… For me, everything is exactly as it should be. The important thing is to remain grateful.
Now, if there’s one thing I firmly believe in, it’s the power of local businesses. Yes, they strengthen the neighborhood and transform lives. Here in Beira-Mar it’s no different. There are people who come from far away, spending months saving money just to bring their families here. This drives everything: the popcorn vendor, the neighbor’s parking lot, the guy who rents bikes, the kebab seller, the guy who takes care of the cars. It’s a cycle.
It’s like a neighborhood square. When there’s life, there’s movement. And with movement comes opportunity. The lady who used to sell hot dogs at her front door now sells them in the square. The boy who used to just play soccer in the street now earns money washing cars. And that’s development. It’s income. It’s transformation. And Beira-Mar has always been that: movement and transformation. And it will be much more.
And the future of Beira-Mar? Ah, I think it’s growth. And not just with tourists, you know? With people from here too. There are two huge developments coming to Espigões, big things, with a big impact. There will be more movement, more infrastructure, more tourism. And there’s no point in complaining about the big guys. Those who have money make money — and those of us who are nearby end up benefiting too.
It’s like I always say: if it weren’t for the giants, the little ones wouldn’t even exist. We learn from those who are ahead of us. And I’m very observant. I’m not one to envy anyone, no. What I really like is to learn. To improve. To grow. That’s what life is: a constant school. And I’m already rich, you know? Rich in health, gratitude, experience. My mission now is to become a millionaire—in stories, in purpose, in joy.
When I was younger, I thought I needed to study more, do more. And maybe I did, but I was one of those who wanted to play volleyball all day (laughs). And that’s okay. Everyone has their own path. The important thing is to recognize the blessings we have received. And I have received many.
The taste of Beira-Mar
To wrap up, if you asked me, “What flavor represents Beira-Mar?”, I would answer without hesitation: açaí. It has everything to do with this place. It is energy. It is vibrancy. People mix it with banana, whey, powdered milk, each in their own way. But it alone says it all. Sweet, refreshing, full of strength.
Açaí is that food that energizes: runners want it. People who come to concerts want it. People who sit down to watch the full moon rise over the sea want a little pot in their hands. Açaí is the taste of Beira-Mar. It is the flavor of those who want to live longer and better.
And that’s why, even with the heat, with challenges, with everything, I’m still here. Because this place still has a lot to give — and I still have a lot to offer.
Are you interested in the Beira Mar of Fortaleza and its surroundings? Then click HERE!
