Meet Andre Almeida | Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andre Almeida and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andre, what role has risk played in your life or career?
When my wife and I decided to open our first business, we were starting from scratch. We didn’t have enough capital (I had to take out a $100K loan with my grandma), we lacked experience (we were just 24 years old), and, honestly, we weren’t fully prepared. But what we did have was an unrelenting drive to succeed, and we were willing to do whatever it took. Long hours were the norm—working 12+ hours a day, 7 days a week—because we knew that dedication was our ticket to success.

When I think about risk, I focus on understanding what’s truly at stake. Risk, in its essence, is the possibility of losing something valuable. Back then, the primary risk for us was our time, which we had plenty of since we were young. But now, with a family and three children, risk takes on a whole new level of significance. It’s no longer just about time—it’s about securing the future of my family.

That said, risk is an inherent part of entrepreneurship. We all face risks daily. Today, I run 8 businesses, including Gracie Barra schools in Simi Valley, Oxnard, and Camarillo, The Baker’s Daughters in Simi Valley, real estate ventures, and Pipeline Marketing & Consulting. Together, these businesses employ more than 50 people. None of this would have been possible without a strong appetite for taking calculated risks.

When evaluating any new opportunity, I always weigh the potential upside against the risks involved and ensure the return on investment justifies it. For example, we have one of the largest Jiu-Jitsu schools in the world, with over 1,500 students across three locations. So, is it risky for me to invest $1 million into a new location? Sure. But my experience, or “insider knowledge,” places me in a position where the risk-adjusted return is very favorable—much more so than an investor without that insider knowledge.

My advice for anyone taking on risk is this: create your own advantage. Build up your insider knowledge in the area you want to invest in. By doing so, you can tilt the odds in your favor and significantly increase your chances of success. Go for it!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We believe that Jiu-Jitsu has the power to transform lives, and we witness this transformation every day. Our mission is to share the positive impact of Jiu-Jitsu with as many people as possible, helping to enrich lives and strengthen communities. Currently, we operate Gracie Barra schools in Simi Valley (where we’ve been for nearly a decade), Oxnard, and Camarillo, serving over 1,500 students who are using Jiu-Jitsu as a powerful tool for personal growth and self-development.

Running a business is never easy, but when you’re driven by a clear purpose and you can see the progress, you begin to feel the profound impact you’re making in people’s lives. It’s that energy and sense of dedication that fuels our commitment to success.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a business owner is the importance of becoming a problem solver. People will bring you challenges every day, and as your business grows, so will the problems. The key is to embrace those challenges and approach them with the mindset of finding solutions that keep pushing your mission forward.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I were to plan the perfect day for a friend, I’d start with the best breakfast in LA at The Baker’s Daughters in Simi Valley. From there, we’d head to Surfer’s Point in Ventura for some great waves. Afterward, we’d take a drive down to Santa Monica for lunch at my favorite sushi spot, Sugarfish. To cap off the day, I’d grab my skateboard and cruise along the Venice Beach boardwalk watching the sunset.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unwavering support of my wife, who has been my rock through every challenge and has always stood by my side, helping me in every endeavor I take on. I’m also deeply grateful to my older brother, Ricardo Almeida, who was there for me in the early days of my career, taking on countless risks on my behalf. His willingness to support me and believe in my vision meant the world to me, and I’ll be forever grateful for everything he did to help me get started.

Website: https://www.graciebarrajiujitsu.com

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