Have you ever stopped to think about how a man who faced dyslexia in childhood ended up creating one of Brazil’s biggest retail empires? Yes—Luciano Hang’s story is exactly the kind that deserves more attention.

Born in 1962 in Brusque, Santa Catarina, Hang grew up in an environment where work was practically a religion. His parents worked in the textile industry, and from an early age he already showed that entrepreneurial streak. At just 17, he began working at the **Fábrica de Tecidos Carlos Renaux**, and soon after, at 21, he had already acquired Tecelagem Santa Cruz. In other words, while many people his age were out partying, Hang was already building his first empire.

But the real turning point was in 1986, when he and Vanderlei de Lima opened the first Havan store. The name came from combining their names, and what started as a small fabric shop turned into a profit-generating machine. Over time, Hang bought out his partner’s share and went on to control everything by himself. The company evolved—moving away from a focus on textiles—and transformed into the department store we know today.

Growth was impressive. From one store in 1986 to more than 100 stores across Brazil by 2017. In 2003, he had already launched e-commerce. Those stores with that slightly American-style architecture, featuring replicas of the Statue of Liberty, became practically a symbol. All very strategic, very well thought out.

And then comes the interesting part: Luciano Hang, who is now over 60 years old, has amassed an estimated fortune of about 3.2 billion dollars. He ranks among Brazil’s richest, and much of that came from Havan, but he also has his fingers in other businesses—shopping centers, energy distributors, and media investments. The man diversified.

What’s curious is that Havan has never gone public on the stock exchange, despite generating huge revenue. In 2021, estimates pointed to a valuation of 45 billion reais, but the IPO never happened. A strategic decision, I guess.

Now, what truly catapulted Hang into pop culture was his presence on social media. Starting in 2017, he began appearing more in the company’s campaigns and videos. And that’s when the nickname that really stuck came to be: “Old Man from Havan.” At first, it was more critical, but the man was smart and turned it into a marketing strategy. It worked. It became a meme, became a brand, became everything.

In recent years, Hang has also gained notoriety for his political stances. He openly supported candidates during the 2018 and 2022 elections, got involved in public debates, and sparked controversies. All of this only amplified his visibility even more.

But no matter what, he built something real. From a small fabric shop to a recognized national chain, with a strong visual identity and a standout presence. Luciano Hang’s path shows that even with obstacles at the beginning, when you have determination and vision, you can turn a regional business into a national powerhouse. That’s a fact.