A Cuban family, who relocated to Brazil and initially made pizzas to order from their home kitchen, has successfully opened their own culinary business in the state of Minas Gerais. This achievement came after balancing their regular jobs with extensive nighttime work hours.
Daniela Martínez Hernández shared their inspiring journey through a video on Facebook, detailing how her family managed to establish a pizzeria in Tarumirim, Brazil.
A Fresh Start in a New Land
"We are a family of migrants who chose to start from scratch in Brazil," said Daniela, describing a story filled with hard work, patience, and determination to succeed far from their Cuban homeland.
Their journey wasn't easy. By day, they were employed at a market, and in the evenings, they dedicated themselves to crafting pizzas for home delivery.
From Humble Beginnings to Growing Demand
Initially a side hustle, their venture grew as satisfied customers spread the word. Each new order was an opportunity to expand their fledgling enterprise.
"Our home was soon filled with orders, laughter, and the aroma of freshly baked pizza," Daniela recalled.
The family continued their home-based operations while saving to purchase the equipment and materials necessary to transform their domestic project into an official establishment.
Realizing the Dream
Building their business didn’t happen overnight. As Daniela explained, they gradually acquired everything needed, never losing sight of their dream to serve customers in a dedicated location.
"With effort and patience, we collected all we needed for our dream, until one day we said: it's time to take the next step," she shared.
That pivotal moment arrived when they decided to secure a commercial venue and fully commit to their developed business.
"We found a location, took the leap, and here we are today, with our own pizzeria in Brazil," Daniela announced proudly.
A Thriving Business in Tarumirim
The pizzeria is located at Praça Monsenhor Horta, number 42, in Tarumirim, a municipality in southeastern Brazil's Minas Gerais state.
This location matches public business records that identify gastronomic activities in the plaza. A Brazilian business directory also lists an establishment under Daniela Martínez Hernández’s name at Praça Monsenhor Horta, 22/42, in the heart of Tarumirim.
The video Daniela shared shows family members working together, pizza creations, and glimpses of the business premises, with Daniela speaking in front of Cuban and Brazilian flags.
These symbols capture a significant part of their narrative: a family leaving their native land to find new opportunities in Brazil through their hard work.
Lessons from Early Supporters
Their story highlights the crucial role of early customers, word-of-mouth recommendations, and the decision to reinvest earnings to enable further growth.
"Dreams do come true; you just need to work on them with love and faith," Daniela emphasized, inviting others to follow their family's business journey.
"We are a family of Cuban entrepreneurs, and this is just the beginning of many more dreams here in Brazil," she concluded.
Cuban Entrepreneurs Around the Globe
This family's experience mirrors that of other Cuban emigrants who have launched culinary businesses after starting with limited resources and developing unique recipes.
In Mexico, for instance, Cuban entrepreneur Ricky Thyam successfully established a pizzeria in Mérida, Yucatán, after arriving in 2017 and embarking on other ventures.
Originally from Banes, Holguín, Ricky explained that his culinary business began when he experimented with Cuban pizza recipes. A friend ordered ten pizzas, and that initial request became the launchpad for Atope Pizzas.
Over time, he involved his parents in the venture and hired employees, while considering expanding to other cities.
In the United States, there are also stories of Cubans who have turned to the culinary industry to build new lives. Dany González, from Caimito, Artemisa, opened a food business in Kendall, Miami, with two friends, focusing on grilled meats and Cuban cuisine.
After emigrating to the U.S., Dany decided to become an entrepreneur following his experience in the culinary sector. His business, Al Fuego Grill, was born from the decision to take the risk of working independently.
"If you don't take the risk, you'll always wonder if it could have succeeded," he stated.
However, entrepreneurship also comes with challenges. A Cuban woman who opened a pizzeria in Houston revealed in July 2025 that she was considering closing due to a lack of customers, just six months after starting operations.
Her experience highlighted the economic challenges small businesses can face even after opening their doors.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Entrepreneurial Ventures
What inspired the Cuban family to start a pizzeria in Brazil?
The family was driven by the need to start anew in Brazil and saw the opportunity to create a business from their culinary skills, starting with making pizzas from home.
How did Daniela Martínez Hernández's family manage to grow their business?
They grew their business through hard work, perseverance, word-of-mouth marketing, and reinvesting their earnings into expanding their operations.
What challenges do Cuban entrepreneurs face when starting a business abroad?
Challenges include limited initial resources, navigating new markets, and the economic difficulties of maintaining a small business in a foreign country.