There is a story circulating in the retail market that I find very interesting to follow. Ilson Mateus, this entrepreneur who founded Grupo Mateus in the Northeast, is practically a success story you don't see every day around here.

The guy was born in the 1960s in Imperatriz, Maranhão — a region that didn't have much infrastructure at that time. In the 1980s, with few resources, he tried his luck in Serra Pelada as a gold miner, but like many others there, it didn't work out very well. He left there and returned to Maranhão, and that's when the real interesting story began.

He opened a small grocery store in Balsas and, unlike many, realized he could do more. He started with logistics, transporting goods between cities — a very strategic move that expanded the business. From there, Armazém Mateus grew and naturally evolved into what we now know as Grupo Mateus.

In the 1990s and 2000s, the expansion accelerated significantly. He created Mateus Supermarkets, then Hiper Mateus, entered the pharmacy sector, and later innovated with the wholesale-retail model through Mix Mateus. He diversified further with Eletro Mateus, created his own industry with the Bumba Meu Pão brand — basically building a well-structured retail ecosystem.

The major milestone was the IPO in 2020. During the pandemic, he managed to raise around R$ 4.63 billion on B3 — the largest initial public offering in Brazil that year. With the funds, he accelerated store expansion, strengthened logistics, and closed strategic partnerships like with Bradesco.

What stands out in his strategy is that, while large competitors focused on urban centers, Grupo Mateus dominated less-explored markets in the North and Northeast. He maintained disciplined growth even with this rapid expansion.

Ilson Mateus's fortune was estimated at US$ 1.7 billion according to Forbes a few years ago — a reflection of the appreciation of GMAT3 shares and consistent operational growth. For those who follow the stock market, the Grupo Mateus case is relevant because it shows how well-structured regional companies can create real value in Brazil.

If you invest in retail or want to better understand the potential of companies outside the traditional axis, it's worth keeping an eye on this entrepreneur's trajectory. His story is practically a manual of entrepreneurship and resilience in the Brazilian market.