In its nineteenth edition, Mérito Empreendedora revealed the story of four women who stood out in the areas of Industry, Commerce, Services and Social Work. The event, an initiative of the Council of Businesswomen of the Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Services of Caxias do Sul (CIC Caxias), was held this Monday (6th), during a special edition of RA, attracting an audience of approximately 250 people.
were honored Marlene Pessuto Baronin the Industry category, Marilete Deitos Alquatiin the Commerce category, Lola Hallsin the Services category, and Nilva Randonin the Social Service category.
“A night to celebrate one of the most powerful and inspiring forces in our society: the female entrepreneur.” In this way, the president of CIC Caxias, Celestino Oscar Loro, began the award ceremony of the 19th Entrepreneurial Merit. Loro recalled that entrepreneurship is a difficult and challenging journey for everyone, but that for women the difficulties are even greater due to the barriers and limitations imposed by gender inequality. “Even so, women, like our honorees, face these barriers and stand out in the business world. They are innovative, resilient and proactive,” he said.
The president of the Business Council of CIC Caxias, Grasiela Tesser, reiterated that “the challenge of being an entrepreneur, especially in our country, is guided by uncertainty and insecurity, combined with the genuine desire of Brazilians to make it work. The Entrepreneurial Merit therefore aims to honor women who chose to overcome challenges, conquered their spaces, left their marks and did so with determination, courage, dedication, but also with the lightness, subtlety and flexibility that only woman can have”, Grasiela pointed out.
Visibly moved, Marlene, Marilete, Lola and Nilva thanked the choice, feeling honored with the homage paid by CIC Caxias. Much applauded, each had their trajectory presented on video during the ceremony, also touching the public with their life stories. The event was honored by the deputy mayor Paula Ioris, by the councilwoman Marisol Santos, by the rector of the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), Gelson Rech, by the president of the Superior Council of CIC Caxias, David Randon, and by the families of the honorees, in addition to the members of the Council of the Businesswoman of the entity.
THE HONORS
MARLENE PESSUTO BARON – Industry Category
After eight years of experience manufacturing bikinis, Marlene Pessuto Baron created Di Praia in 1998. With only one seamstress, little machinery in a space of 48 m², she had, in addition to a lot of creativity, the desire to make this brand a reference in the beachwear sector.
In addition to the differentiated service and the quality of artisanal production, sometimes adapted to the customer’s taste, the brand gained prominence and preference, leading to the demand for a new space. With the intention of a more efficient production and also a place for customer service, it inaugurated a new headquarters in 2005, with 250 m², including the production unit and the showroom.
By seeking greater contact with the clientele, the brand began producing the fitness and swimming line, adding items to the portfolio that accompany women in different situations.
Over the years, Di Praia gained the protagonism of Viviane Baron who, united with the knowledge of her mother’s trajectory, brings her young look to the values of the family business.
With that, through constant improvement in trends and technology, the brand has conquered an audience that seeks comfort, sophistication and high quality.
MARILETE DEEITOS ALQUATI – Trade Category
Born in Caxias do Sul, Marilete Deitos Alquati, 65 years old, attended the Faculty of Mathematics and taught for 10 years. As she herself tells it, even while she was working in the classroom, Leti, as she is known, always had a little bag with something to sell.
His vocation as a shopkeeper only grew and even after he had taken a public tender for the City of Caxias do Sul, where he worked as an inspector until he retired, he decided to open a store in the basement of the house where he was born, at the same address where Moda Leti still lives today. is installed to serve customers during free hours. Over time, sales grew and the store took up the entire top floor of the house.
Always dedicated to everything she does, Marilete credits a large part of her success as a businesswoman to her family, which includes her mother and brother. Married, with one son and one granddaughter, she is also proud to act in favor of volunteering, having been president of the Women’s League to Combat Cancer in Caxias do Sul, an entity to which she dedicates herself with great love.
LOLA SALLES – Services Category
Hollandina Zelinda Bolzani de Salles, or just Lola Salles, 92 years old, is one of the most recognized seamstresses in the city. In more than seven decades dedicated to sewing, Lola accounts for the making of the official costumes of the sovereigns of the 1994, 1996, 2000, 2004 and 2016 editions of the Festa Nacional da Uva.
His trajectory, however, began long before he became involved with the Festa da Uva. At the age of seven, in 1937, she already helped her mother, Angelina Billibio Vidor Bolzani, who was a seamstress, and her father, Andrea Bolzani, who was a maker of leather horse saddles.
Lola was born with a gift for working with needles and fabrics, and by the age of 12 she had already conquered her own clients. The first gala dress, for client Jatir Marchioro Cislaghi, was made in 1946, when Lola was just 16 years old.
Around that time, the young woman sought professional training in the modeling course at Círculo Operário Caxiense, where she graduated in dress cutting on June 22, 1948. In the same year, Lola decided to open her own establishment, the Atelier Lola Salles.
She married Osmar Bernardo de Salles in 1957. From this union, Ana Lúcia, João André, Jorge Luiz and Maria Cristina were born.
NILVA THEREZINHA RANDOM – Social Work Category
Nilva Therezinha Randon was born in Caxias do Sul, on November 3, 1934. Daughter of David and Rosa Masotti D’Agostini and granddaughter of Italian immigrants, Dona Nilva, as she is known, is part of a large family of ten siblings, with whom shared a happy and happy childhood and youth.
Adept at reading, especially biographies and novels, Nilva studied at Grupo Escolar Maguari, Colégio das Irmãs do Sagrado Coração de Jesus in Ana Rech and at Colégio das Irmãs do São Carlos, in Bairro Santa Catarina, in Caxias do Sul. Active, she participated in the Catholic Action Group of the church and in the organization of parties in the neighborhood community.
In 1956, she married Raul Anselmo Randon and from this union she had five children: David, Roseli, Alexandre, Maurien and Daniel. Today, she has 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, with two on the way.
In 1966, together with her husband, she joined the Rotary Club Caxias, participating and acting in events organized by the entity. As a result of this, in 1973, the wives of Rotarians founded the Casa da Amizade, composed of wives of Rotarians who worked in philanthropic actions, having been president in 1975. She continues to participate in weekly work meetings.
In 1997, he joined the creation group of Banco da Mulher, a totally voluntary microcredit work, having been president and vice-president. “As long as I have the gift of being healthy, I will continue to do what is within my power”, says Dona Nilva.
The event was sponsored by the brands Ótica Lauro and Clínica Sterah, with the support of Móveis Dallas.
