Lavender Entrepreneurs Turn Small Londrina Farm into Growing Brazilian Business

In 2017 former advertising professional Marcos Paulo Romani and his wife Dóren de Andrade Faria left their previous careers to start a lavender farm on about 1,000 m² of land in the district of Espírito Santo, Londrina, Brazil. Without prior experience, they cultivated lavender, learned harvesting techniques, and eventually founded the brand Santa Lavanda. The couple now extracts essential oil from the plants, producing roughly two litres per year that are sold in 5 ml bottles, and they also generate income from experiential tourism and training courses. Santa Lavanda offers mentorship and courses that have attracted students from several Brazilian states as well as Argentina and Portugal. Today the farm has expanded to about 2,000 m², and the founders report both commercial success and personal fulfillment.