In episode 42 of AmplificaCast, we had the privilege of welcoming two extraordinary guests, Denys Rodrigues, CFO at DQR Tech, and Ricardo Rodrigues, CEO at DQR Tech. They share their inspiring entrepreneurial journeys, highlighting the importance of determination, resilience and clear vision to achieve success in their careers.
Denys recounts his passion for technology since his youth, starting his career at age 14 and facing challenges along the way. He shares the experience of selling his company, Único, for R$30 million, and how this marked the beginning of new beginnings in his professional life.
Ricardo, on the other hand, describes his evolution from a banana seller at the fair to a leader in the world of technology. He emphasizes the importance of freedom, team management and the ability to overcome shyness to achieve your goals. Ricardo also highlights the importance of adapting and facing fear when opening a company and taking calculated risks.
Both guests emphasize the need to have a clear vision and well-defined objectives, in addition to the importance of building a good relationship in the work environment. They also discuss the work dynamics at DQR Tech, a more mature and stable company, which provides a better quality of life and time for family.
This AmplificaCast episode is a source of inspiration and valuable insights for entrepreneurs and business executives. Through Denys and Ricardo's stories, listeners can learn about the importance of determination, resilience and clear vision in the entrepreneurial journey.
Resilience and passion can shape an entrepreneur’s future
Denys, who began his career at the age of 14, highlights the importance of family support in his journey. He recalls his move to São Paulo, where, despite the distance, he remained close to his family, thanks to the flexibility of his father's work and frequent visits to Boituva.
Denys emphasizes that, from an early age, he had no time to hesitate or fear, as he was determined to follow his passion for technology. He says that, even without formal training in development, he was self-taught and influenced by his father's interest in computers. This passion led him to create systems for local stores and, eventually, to make the decision to move to São Paulo to work as a programmer.
Ricardo, on the other hand, started his career selling bananas at the fair, an experience that taught him about freedom, team management and entrepreneurship. He highlights the importance of overcoming shyness and fear to achieve your goals. Ricardo also shares his transition to the technology area and how his previous experiences helped him stand out in project management and the commercial area.
Both brothers agree that entrepreneurship is a journey of daily overcoming, where it is essential to face challenges with courage and maintain solid relationships with co-workers and clients. They also emphasize the importance of maintaining passion for what you do, whether it's programming or business management.
The determining factors for an entrepreneur’s success:
Facing fear, staying focused and cultivating passion are essential to achieving goals!
Denys Rodrigues reveals how the sale of his company, Único, to Linx for R$30 million was a mix of emotions. He describes how difficult it was to give up his “technological son”, but recognizes that Linx was the best choice to take care of and expand the product. Denys expresses a feeling of jealousy when he sees the product being discussed by others on LinkedIn, but takes comfort in knowing that it is in good hands.
Denys shares that despite the sale, his passion for software development continues. He still dabbles in programming as a way to stay current and describes it as a hobby he loves.
Ricardo Rodrigues highlights the importance of building a respectable name in the professional market. He advises that no job is insignificant and that it is crucial to respect people and dedicate yourself fully to each project. He emphasizes that reputation is key and that being well remembered by colleagues and customers is essential to long-term success.
The sale of Único to Linx was a careful process, in which Denys and his partner ensured that the purchasing company was able to take good care of the product. Denys highlights that Linx already had a team prepared to integrate and expand the product, demonstrating the importance of a good “fit” between the companies involved.
This chapter illustrates the emotional and strategic complexity behind selling a company and the importance of building and maintaining a good reputation in the business world. Denys and Ricardo's story serves as a source of inspiration for entrepreneurs seeking to navigate market challenges with integrity and passion.
First, make it happen; Then think about making money
Ricardo Rodrigues shares his experience of starting a business in the gastronomy sector, opening an Italian restaurant in the Aclimação neighborhood, in São Paulo. He describes how the constant pressure of sales and targets in the technology world led him to seek refuge in the kitchen. However, he soon discovered that entrepreneurship in the gastronomy sector presented even greater challenges, including the lack of time off, the need to deal with operational problems and the difficulty of sustaining the business with weekend activity alone.
Ricardo emphasizes the importance of having knowledge and experience in the sector before starting a business and how mixing a hobby with a profession can lead to a loss of passion for what you do. After a year and a half, he closed the restaurant at a loss and lost his apartment, but found support in his wife, who helped him get through this difficult time.
Denys Rodrigues, in turn, reports on his entrepreneurial journey with Único, a cashback and promotions company. He highlights the importance of having a good relationship with partners, like Linx, and how this facilitated the sale of the company for R$30 million. Denys also mentions the importance of family support and how his dismissal from Linx provided unemployment insurance that helped sustain Único in the first months.
Both brothers emphasize the importance of keeping doors open and building a good reputation in the professional market. They advise entrepreneurs to treat every job opportunity with passion and respect as this can lead to new opportunities in the future.
The importance of family support, industry experience and building a good professional reputation
Our guests share their entrepreneurial experiences, highlighting the challenges and passion required to make a company thrive. Denys recalls the early months of DQR Tech, when he and Ricardo worked tirelessly, multitasking and conducting interviews in challenging time zones. He emphasizes the importance of believing in the business and being willing to invest time and effort before expecting a financial return.
Ricardo, in turn, talks about his journey of opening an Italian restaurant, a passion that turned into a business challenge. He describes the constant stress of managing the establishment, balancing finances and dealing with the lack of time off. Despite his love for cooking, Ricardo discovered that starting a business in the gastronomic sector was more difficult than he expected, leading him to return to the world of technology.
Both brothers highlight the importance of family support in their endeavors. Denys mentions how his wife sacrificed her trust fund to support DQR Tech, while Ricardo talks about his wife's support during the restaurant's closure and the loss of their apartment. They agree that entrepreneurship requires an unshakable belief in the business and a willingness to face challenges without a plan B.
Denys and Ricardo advise entrepreneurs to have solid knowledge of what they are doing and to be prepared for difficult times. They emphasize that problems tend to increase as the company grows, but this constant concern is an integral part of the entrepreneurial spirit.
The reality of entrepreneurship is harsh! Success requires more than passion; It requires resilience, hard work, and a strong support system.
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Turning dreams into reality in the business world
Here, we discuss the challenges and responsibilities that come with entrepreneurship. Denys and Ricardo highlight that, in addition to the objective of generating profit, a company carries the responsibility of taking care of its teams and contributing to the local economy. Denys talks about the importance of having a clear vision of the business and being prepared for opportunities, while Ricardo reflects on the need to balance passion and prudence when undertaking.
Ricardo shares his experience of opening a restaurant, a dream that turned out to be more challenging than he expected. He highlights the importance of understanding the industry you are entering and being aware of the financial and personal implications of business decisions. After closing the restaurant at a loss, he values his wife's support and the importance of having a plan B.
The formation of DQR Tech arises from the complementarity of skills between Denys and Ricardo, combining technical and commercial expertise. They discuss the importance of being prepared to seize opportunities and having a solid go-to-market strategy. The company started with three developers and has grown consistently while maintaining a prudent approach to investment and expansion.
Denys and Ricardo emphasize the importance of defining clear indicators and having careful financial management. They believe that Denys' previous experience and the lessons Ricardo learned from the restaurant helped shape a more cautious and informed approach in subsequent businesses.
Success in business requires more than passion: it takes responsibility, preparation and a deep understanding of the market
Denys and Ricardo detailed the journey of DQR Tech, a technology consultancy that started with the founders' own capital and grew beyond initial expectations. They emphasize the importance of a conservative business plan and having clear indicators to measure success. Denys shares his experience in preparing Business Plans (BP) to present to investors at his previous company, Único, and how he brought this knowledge to DQR.
DQR's growth strategy was focused on service quality and proximity to the customer, avoiding the need for external capital. They highlight the importance of understanding customer needs and building true relationships to open doors and opportunities. The company developed an internal system that streamlines recruitment and management processes, allowing the rapid formation of teams of developers (squads) to meet customer demands.
Ricardo and Denys discuss the challenge of balancing the ambition for growth with the responsibility of taking care of their team and the families that depend on the company. They emphasize that financial success is important, but it is not the only objective of a company. DQR seeks to maintain a profitability of 20% per month and carries out periodic analyzes to adjust its plans and investments.
Throughout the conversation, the importance of family support and resilience in the face of challenges becomes evident. Denys mentions how his wife's guarantee fund was crucial in the first months of DQR, and Ricardo reflects on overcoming difficulties after the closure of his restaurant. Both agree that it is essential to be clear about your own strengths and seek partners who complement your skills.
DQR Tech's journey is an example of how combining technical expertise, business skills and a customer-centric approach can lead to entrepreneurial success. Denys and Ricardo demonstrate that, with careful planning, dedication and building solid relationships, it is possible to grow sustainably and make a difference in the technology market.
Maintaining a healthy balance between professional and personal ambitions
In the entrepreneurial journey of Denys and Ricardo, co-founders of DQR Tech, customer relationships and business transparency proved to be fundamental pillars for success. They emphasize that longevity and sustainable growth in large client relationships are indicative of a job well done. Furthermore, the ability to present a solid track record of fruitful collaborations acts as a powerful calling card in the market.
Another crucial aspect highlighted by entrepreneurs is transparency in pricing. They believe that clearly separating costs and profits for the customer strengthens trust and partnership. This also reflects the importance of cost management and the responsibility to manage resources efficiently.
In the management of DQR Tech, transparency extends to internal communication about financial indicators. Denys and Ricardo set a profitability target of 20% per month and emphasize the importance of constant adjustments to achieve this goal. They highlight that the analysis of these indicators is a continuous process, which involves quarterly and annual reviews to ensure the company's financial health.
The challenges faced throughout DQR's trajectory are also addressed. They discuss difficult decisions, such as dismissals of employees who did not meet expectations and the need to adapt to investments that did not generate the expected results.
A crucial point for DQR's success was the complementarity between Denys and Ricardo's skills. They highlight the importance of understanding one's own strengths and seeking partners who fill gaps in the team's skills.
Finally, Denys and Ricardo address the balance between work and personal life. They discuss how to integrate professional matters into family life and the importance of having outlets, such as sports and hobbies, to maintain well-being. Ricardo, about to become a father, reflects on the new challenges and joys that fatherhood will bring.
Entrepreneurs leave valuable advice for those just starting out: focus on what you're good at, avoid mixing personal finances with company finances and approach new investments with caution and planning. They emphasize that business success requires dedication, transparency and solid financial management.
AmplificaCast and the dissemination of entrepreneur journeys: Lessons learned from Denys and Ricardo
At the conclusion of the interview with AmplificaCast, Denys Rodrigues and Ricardo Rodrigues, from DQR Tech, emphasize the importance of maintaining control over the company and making conscious financial decisions. Offering products or services that do not benefit the company's cash flow is a clear example of what to avoid. They highlight that it is crucial to know when and how to invest, always focusing on sustainable growth.
The conversation not only provided valuable insights into Denys and Ricardo's entrepreneurial journey, but also highlighted the importance of maintaining the company's essence and principles along the way.
The breakfast analogy, where you ask yourself whether you are the chicken (involved) or the pig (committed), illustrates the depth of commitment necessary for business success. They advise you to consider carefully before giving up control of the company in exchange for immediate investments. Preserving the company's identity and philosophy is critical, especially when considering bringing new partners or investors on board.
Denys and Ricardo highlight the importance of mutual trust and harmony in business partnerships. They encourage entrepreneurs to surround themselves with people who share the same values and vision. For those who want to follow in their footsteps and connect with them, they are both active on LinkedIn. Just search for “Denis Rodrigues DQR” and “Ricardo Rodrigues DQR” to find their profiles.
Finally, we would like to thank the entrepreneurial brothers for the opportunity to share their experiences at AmplificaCast, a space offered by the marketing solutions agency Amplifica Digital. We are an agency specialized in digital marketing and we offer the entire infrastructure of a professional studio for podcast recordings, among many other services. For those looking to amplify their brand in the digital world, Amplifica Digital is the ideal strategic partner.
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