Prologue / Prelude / Preface / Introductory Note
The first time I started a company was in 2008, while I was working full-time at the Faro Municipal Theatre. I opened a Copy Centre at the former Dom Afonso III Higher Institute, in Loulé, with a business partner who, sadly, is no longer with us: Ricardo Nascimento, to whom I pay a heartfelt and affectionate tribute (wherever you are, my partner).
I made several mistakes all at once, but I learned from every single one of them: financing, investment, contracts, sales, operations, accounting, human resources, licences, legal requirements, copyright – so many things. It was a true “second degree”.
My first experience as an entrepreneur — almost 20 years ago — culminated in the bankruptcy of Copialternativa LDA, my first-ever business.
Just like that. Simply to begin.
Those were years spent trying to outrun time itself: juggling multiple jobs simultaneously (full-time, part-time, odd jobs), the failed attempt to keep up with bills that snowballed relentlessly, selling the car, objects and furniture, renting out rooms in the house, and enduring an atrocious psychological process that involved depression, addictions, and the breakdown of professional, romantic, friendly and family relationships…
Extremely difficult moments.
An entire struggle to overcome what felt like an endless moment – which, as it happens, lasted from 2009 to 2012.
A remarkable experience, all the same.
Despite being EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, I learned a lot from that journey.
A lot.
I am grateful for every hardship I went through.
I never imagined I would be where I am today.
I am the managing partner of a company that has now been in existence for 10 years.
10 years… a decade.
Impressive.
If you had asked me 10 years ago how long this “project of mine” would last, I would have said: who knows, maybe 2 or 3 years…
Looking back, I am incredulous.
This is a year of celebration. Of contemplation. Of remembrance. Of looking back and feeling what has been accomplished.
These X (ten) Parts to which I commit myself serve to recall moments, celebrate people, honour commitments, and weave together some reflections on certain situations that I have experienced — that we have experienced.
For each year addressed, I will attempt to approach, in a simple way, the themes, events and milestones that I went through – that we went through.
There is a broader vision at the end of this undertaking.
B16 is the result of that.
My current dream is different. I aspire for the next 10 years to be less about me, and more about the people who are part of this project.
I need that. B16 needs that.
At the end of this adventure, we shall see what emerges from it.
Happy reading.
Bruno Gabriel
Business Shogun
