. What profession did you want to have when you were a child? 

When I was around 5 years old, I went on a snow trip with the family and got totally excited about truck drivers. I loved the lifestyle, driving all around the world, the sense of adventure and freedom. Even today I still have the adventure bug, going into the unknown, and I guess that’s what keeps me going, knowing that I don’t know what is coming tomorrow… it’s exciting!

. Do you have a nick name? What’s the story behind it?

I had several nicknames but none that stayed. Also, being called Zé is simple enough, no need to complicate.

. Do you have a “Oh no!!!” moment you’d like to share with us?

Life is made of ups and downs, so we have a lot of Oh No! moments. Whenever you need to take difficult decisions that affect people around you, it is always unpleasant. Especially when you have to let go people not because of their performance but because of company performance in general… those are tuff. But every bitter experience makes you learn and grow and how you deal with it is what counts the most.

. Who is your hero and how did he leave a mark on you?

My grandfather. To me, he was and still is my greatest inspiration. From family to community or business he was able to build strong relationships, to be successful and make others successful with him, being humble and proud at the same time. Values that I take with me and wish to pass along as well. Big shoes to fill.

. Never say never again?

I did so many mistakes in life that I would not dare to use that word. The experiences we have shape the way we live, think, act. So I believe that, within the boundaries of your personal values, no one can ever say never, especially as an entrepreneur, where people depend on you, you have to do everything needed to support them.

. If you were given a genius in a lamp, what wishes would you ask for?

Probably two things: 

• Environmental reset, taking us to hundreds of years ago, ecologically speaking, making sure we leave a sustainable planet for my kids’ generation and teach them how to maintain it.

• Unlimited funds to test new business ideas.

. Name two of your guilty pleasures.

Food/Drinks and singing… surprisingly, the two go very well together.

. What’s THE dream?

To build something my grandfather would be proud of, that is my benchmark for life.