Bridging Dubai and São Paulo, Vanessa Alcântara is transforming her personal journey—and a family legacy rooted in beauty—into the creation of ALMA. This project aims to bring together beauty, self-care, and wellness in a single space in the Moema neighborhood.
At 26, Vanessa has already navigated various professional phases. She has worked as a legal assistant and a DJ, become a content creator, and started a new life abroad. Currently based in Dubai, she is preparing to take on the role of founder, investor, and creative director of a business that encapsulates the insights and influences gathered throughout her journey.
Her connection to the beauty world began in childhood. Her mother owned a salon, and since her father traveled frequently, Vanessa would go there after school and spend the day observing the daily operations. Although she never performed the technical services herself, she grew up watching how customer service, personal care, and self-esteem played a vital role in the clients’ lives.
Her time in Dubai broadened her perspective on comfort, punctuality, infrastructure, and attention to detail. The goal is not to replicate a foreign model, but to adapt this experience for the Brazilian audience, blending international influences with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Currently in the planning stages, ALMA plans to offer hair, nail, and makeup services, as well as facial and body treatments, massages, and relaxation experiences. The inclusion of Pilates or yoga is still under consideration. The space is expected to open in January 2027, depending on the progress of the implementation.
Beyond the creation of the physical space, her journey highlights the challenges of developing a business in Brazil while living abroad. Remote meetings, creative decisions, operational oversight, and scheduled trips to São Paulo are all part of a process Vanessa intends to share from the very beginning.
For her, ALMA represents more than just a new professional venture. The project unites her family history, her experiences abroad, and her desire to build a business with a unique identity—one capable of integrating beauty and wellness without reducing self-care merely to physical appearance.
(Photos: @joseandresgil)
