Once upon a time, there was a world where a poor girl with the face of a princess met a charming prince and lived happily ever after. But in the modern world, the story is quite different. That poor girl finds happiness through her own achievements. Maqueli, known on social media as Maqueli Florida, was born in a small rural town in Brazil and has become a renowned executive in the United States. Leading two companies she founded, she has generated over 40 million reais in revenue. Now, as one of Florida’s most famous real estate agents, she sold over 74 million reais worth of properties in just the first half of this year alone. Her success may have something to do with her 5-star rating on Google Reviews and her focus on providing premium service to investor clients. She has also been a large-scale real estate investor since 2013, and she says her scope of property investments has only grown since then.
A Journey of Success
Maqueli began her career as a model, participating in major beauty contests, such as Miss Brazil. This phase opened doors for her to work with big brands like TV Globo, ELLE, Havaianas, L’Officiel, Werner Coiffeur, L’Oreal, and many others. Although her modeling work provided a platform of visibility, it was in the world of investments and real estate where she truly built her legacy.
Graduating in accounting from UNISC and certified as an investment specialist by ANBIMA, Maqueli always had a sharp business sense. Even before moving to the United States, she was already heavily invested in real estate in Brazil. In 2019, Maqueli moved to Florida under an EB-1 visa, granted only to professionals with extraordinary abilities. Since then, her career has skyrocketed. Maqueli quickly obtained her real estate license and stood out in Florida’s real estate market, especially among Latin American clients. However, her ambition goes far beyond personal success and culminated in the creation of a social project in her hometown.
Giving Back: Let Them Talk
Even at the peak of her career, Maqueli never forgot her roots. This sense of gratitude and social responsibility led her to create the project Let Them Talk. The program, entirely funded by her, provides underprivileged children from her hometown access to learning the English language, a skill that can transform lives.
The choice to teach English was no coincidence. Maqueli knows from personal experience how mastering a second language can open doors and expand horizons. English, the language of global business, can be a game-changer for these children, allowing them to dream big and pursue opportunities beyond Cerro Branco. “I know how much English changed my life, and I want to give these children the chance to dream bigger. Besides English, this project also works on their self-esteem, giving them a broader vision of dreams and the future,” says Maqueli.
The “Let Them Talk” project is more than just an educational initiative; it symbolizes Maqueli’s mission to make a lasting impact on her community. By funding the study of English, she is planting seeds of hope and opening a path for new generations to overcome the barriers that often limit opportunities for those born in rural and low-income areas.
Next month, she will launch her first book in brazilian portuguese and also in english version, titled “A Practical Guide to Real Estate Investing for Beginners.”
Hora de Imigrar / Time to Immigrate
To effectively meet the growing demand from Brazilian investors relocating to Florida, Maqueli has teamed up with the prestigious immigration firm Linhares Law and Julio Silva CrossCountry Mortgage to launch the “Time to Immigrate/Hora de Imigrar” initiative (horadeimigrar.com). This project provides a free initial consultation, offering access to a team of 12 licensed professionals specializing in key areas such as Immigration, Real Estate Investment, Financing, Tax Planning, Financial Strategy, Business Internationalization, Student Planning, Health Insurance, Currency Exchange, and even advice on improving Credit Scores and obtaining a driver’s license.
The project is partnered with LIDE Orlando and its president, Gustavo Prezia, an organization recognized as one of the most important business hubs for Brazilian entrepreneurs worldwide. The project also features a weekly podcast produced in collaboration with MultiStudios, a podcast studio located inside a shopping mall of the Multiplan chain, the largest shopping center administration company in Brazil.