Maria Santos

For five years, I organized electronic music events across São Paulo, constantly battling high platform fees and struggling to reach the right audiences. When traditional ticketing platforms took 10% + fees from every sale, it meant either charging attendees more or accepting lower profits - neither option felt sustainable.

From Event Organizer to Community Builder

My journey with Movuca began as a frustrated customer. After switching my events to the platform and seeing immediate savings and better audience engagement, I realized this wasn’t just a better ticketing solution - it was a fundamentally different approach to community building.

What I Bring to Movuca

Having organized over 200 events, I understand the challenges facing both organizers and venues:

  • Venue Relations: Building partnerships that benefit local businesses
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Respecting diverse community values and traditions
  • Authentic Growth: Fostering organic community development vs forced expansion
  • Event Quality: Maintaining high standards while scaling accessibility

Community-First Philosophy

My role at Movuca focuses on empowering existing communities rather than creating artificial ones. This means:

For Organizers:

  • Providing tools that amplify authentic community connections
  • Sharing best practices for sustainable event management
  • Facilitating collaborations between complementary events
  • Supporting cultural preservation and evolution

For Venues:

  • Helping small businesses leverage social discovery
  • Creating sustainable revenue streams beyond one-time events
  • Building long-term customer relationships
  • Strengthening neighborhood cultural identity

Real Impact Stories

One of my favorite success stories involves a small boteco in Vila Madalena that was struggling to attract customers beyond their immediate neighborhood. Through Movuca’s community features, they started hosting weekly samba circles that now regularly sell out, attracting both locals and visitors who appreciate authentic Brazilian culture.

The owner told me: “Movuca didn’t just bring us customers - it helped us become a community center.”

Cultural Expertise

Born and raised in São Paulo, I have deep connections across the city’s diverse cultural scenes:

  • Underground Music: Electronic, indie, and experimental communities
  • Traditional Culture: Samba, forró, and regional Brazilian music
  • Arts & Literature: Gallery openings, poetry readings, and cultural events
  • Neighborhood Life: Street parties, festivals, and community celebrations

Looking Forward

As Movuca expands across Brazil, I’m excited to learn from different regional cultures and help adapt our platform to support diverse community needs. Each city has its own rhythm and cultural traditions - our role is to amplify these authentic expressions, not standardize them.

Personal Mission

“Great events aren’t just entertainment - they’re opportunities for human connection, cultural exchange, and community building. Technology should make these connections easier and more accessible, while preserving what makes each community unique.”

Organizing an event or managing a venue? I’d love to hear your story and explore how Movuca can support your community. Reach out at [email protected]