Rayzza Passos dos Santos is a clear example of how entrepreneurship can change lives, especially when driven by institutions that promote personal and professional development. In 2023, Rayzza enrolled in the entrepreneurship course from the *Building the Future* project, offered by the Ramacrisna Institute with support from Petrobras. Her journey so far shows how education can open doors to new opportunities and achievements. Let’s take a closer look at her story.  

Handmade Candles 

Since 2019, Rayzza has been producing handmade candles. At first, it was just a hobby, but it soon became a source of income. During the pandemic, she came up with the idea to turn her hobby into something profitable. She began producing candles for her family, and over time, she expanded her customer base. At that time, Rayzza worked under a formal contract and saw candle-making as an alternative income, earning a little extra during such a challenging period.  

But it was her sister’s suggestion that changed everything. That’s when Rayzza first heard about the Ramacrisna Institute’s entrepreneurship course. “I decided to enroll, without imagining the magnitude of what I could achieve. I was working under a formal contract and didn’t see this activity as my main income, just as an extra,” Rayzza explains. Despite not having high expectations, she was able to take time off work to attend the course. And from that point on, everything changed.  

The entrepreneurship course was crucial for Rayzza, both personally and professionally. She acknowledges that until then, she hadn’t realized how much she could invest in her business. “I had no idea of my product’s potential. The very attentive teachers gave me all the insight I needed,” she explains. More than just teaching about the market, the course helped Rayzza truly discover herself and her business.  

During the course, Rayzza learned how to manage her company, analyze the market, and most importantly, professionalize what she was doing out of passion. With the support of her teachers and classmates, she began to understand how her handmade candle production could turn into a solid business. “I learned how to manage my company, studied the market, and became professional in my field,” she recalls.  

Investments

Due to her excellent performance in the entrepreneurship course, Rayzza received financial support provided by the *Building the Future* project from the Ramacrisna Institute. “I stood out in the course, and because of that, I got the financial support made available to the top students,” she celebrates. With this funding, she was able to invest in the necessary equipment to expand her production, improving the quality of her candles and increasing her sales capacity. Today, Rayzza’s business, named *Immacolato Velas*, is established in the market, and she has already developed a strategic plan for the coming years.  

With an increasingly clear vision of the future, Rayzza is preparing to leave her formal job in 2025 and dedicate herself exclusively to producing her aromatic candles. “I’m getting ready to stop being a formal employee in 2025 and focus solely on candle production. I see myself growing, based on what I learned and the projection I made of the aromatic candle market, which is huge,” she reflects.  

Her ambition is significant: besides continuing to create high-quality candles, she wants to specialize in the olfactory aspect, expanding her business to serve brands, hotels, and companies. Her goal is to bring the sensory experience of aromatic candles into people’s daily lives, making them an essential part of environments and routines.  

Finally, Rayzza is always keen to express her gratitude to the Ramacrisna Institute. “I thank Ramacrisna whenever I can for the opportunity they gave me and for being my channel of transformation,” she says. She believes the institute was the gateway to her transformation, both professionally and personally. The support she received during the course was the starting point for her to believe in her own talent and entrepreneurial abilities.  

Entrepreneurship Course

Rayzza’s story is a powerful testament to how investing in education and entrepreneurship can be transformative. Thanks to the entrepreneurship course from the *Building the Future* project, she found her true passion and is preparing for an even more promising future. Today, Rayzza is a success story, showcasing how knowledge and determination can lead to professional success.  

The Entrepreneurship in Action Bootcamp is a course designed for those who want to start or redesign their business model and accelerates the structuring of an idea, project, or business using agile tools and methods applied by the most innovative companies in the market. The classes include instruction for 60 entrepreneurs and consulting services for 10 project participants.  

The course can transform more lives, like Rayzza’s. Help make this transformation possible. Contact us to learn more.