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With Less Than US$ 3,000, a Homemade Mixer, and the Intuition of a Young Bolivian Pharmacist, One of the Greatest Stories of Brazilian Entrepreneurship Was Born in Curitiba. Understand the Origin of O Boticário, which Went from Being a Small Pharmacy to Becoming One of the Largest Cosmetics Groups in Brazil.
The origin and creation of O Boticário is linked to the life story of Miguel Krigsner, a Bolivian who arrived in Brazil as a child, settling with his family in Curitiba (PR). The son of Jewish immigrants who escaped World War II, he grew up in a home marked by perseverance, hard work, and respect for human relationships.
In the 1970s, while studying Pharmacy and Biochemistry at the Federal University of Paraná, Miguel decided that he did not want to pursue a career in laboratories or the pharmaceutical industry. His desire was to become an entrepreneur. So, in 1977, with the equivalent of less than US$ 3,000 at the time, he opened a small compounding pharmacy in downtown Curitiba. Thus, the creation of O Boticário was born.
The name of the pharmacy alluded to the ancient apothecaries, professionals who handcrafted medications — and it reflected well the initial proposal of the company.
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The household appliance that consumes the most energy in Brazilian homes is not the air conditioner; it is located in the smallest room of the house, is used daily, and can account for up to 25% of the electricity bill, while an alternative in the same outlet can reduce this cost by up to 75%.
From Pharmacy to Cosmetics Brand: Miguel Krigsner’s Strategic Turnaround
What started with the compounding of dermatological creams soon gained another proportion. Observing that most of his customers were women and that many waited in the store to pick up their compounded medications, Miguel began to prepare artisanal cosmetics, such as collagen-based facial creams and seaweed.
The success of the formulas spread throughout the city of Curitiba, and soon the revenue from cosmetics surpassed that of the traditional pharmacy. This was the first sign that the future of the company lay in beauty — not just in health.
With business acumen and a bold spirit, Miguel began investing in the development of fragrances and personal care products, even in a phase when the national cosmetics market was limited. The creation of O Boticário was, therefore, more than just a store — it was a response to a market in need of innovation.
The 60,000 Bottles of Silvio Santos and the Birth of a Classic in Perfumery
One of the most iconic moments in the trajectory of Miguel Krigsner, founder of O Boticário, occurred in the late 1970s, when the brand was still taking its first steps in the field of perfumery. Determined to create an authorial line of perfumes, Miguel learned through industry contacts that businessman and TV host Silvio Santos had given up on launching his own fragrance brand in Brazil.
The reason? The project did not advance, but Silvio had ordered 60,000 glass bottles in amphora shape, which were stored in a warehouse in São Paulo. Upon learning of this, Miguel traveled to the capital with the intention of purchasing only a small part of the lot, as he did not have the money — nor the need — to acquire everything.
Upon arriving at the location, he was informed that the negotiation could only be done in a “all or nothing” manner. With no available capital and not even a place to store the jars, he risked everything: he closed the purchase, had the bottles loaded, and took them to Curitiba. His confidence was based on pure intuition and urgency.
With the bottles in hand, Miguel rallied his team and asked them to finalize the fragrance that was still in development immediately. According to him, there was no time for tests. Something had to be launched quickly to start selling and recover the investment made in the bottles.
This is how Acqua Fresca was born, a perfume with citrus and aquatic notes, which became a true sales phenomenon in Brazil — and remains today one of the brand’s most traditional fragrances.
Miguel Krigsner: The Founder Who United Science, Art, and Entrepreneurial Vision
The creation of O Boticário was much more than a commercial initiative. Miguel combined his technical knowledge in pharmacy with a rare sensitivity to meet consumer desires, especially the women who frequented his pharmacy in search of dermatological solutions.
He began developing collagen-based facial creams and seaweed, proprietary recipes, applied with scientific rigor, but with aesthetic and sensory appeal. The result was immediate: word of mouth made the products popular in Curitiba.
Miguel states that the secret has always been in the care for people. “I learned from my father that entrepreneurship is about dealing with people. Everything we built is based on that trust,” he declared in an interview with the Terra portal.
In addition, Krigsner attributes part of his entrepreneurial vision to his family’s story of overcoming, which went through wars, immigration, and new beginnings. This resilience is in the DNA of Grupo Boticário, which today employs thousands of Brazilians.
The Second Store and the Birth of the Franchise
The turning point in the story of O Boticário was the opening of the second store, in 1979, at Afonso Pena International Airport in São José dos Pinhais, in Greater Curitiba. This strategic location made the products known to passengers from all over the country.
Airline employees began taking the cosmetics as gifts or to resell in other cities. With demand growing, Miguel Krigsner realized the potential for national expansion. Thus, in 1980, even when the term “franchise” was still little known in Brazil, the first franchised store of O Boticário was opened in Brasília.
In a few years, the model was consolidated. By the end of the 1980s, there were already 800 stores spread across the country. Today, with more than 3,600 units in 1,700 Brazilian cities, O Boticário is recognized as the largest franchise network in Brazil, according to the Brazilian Franchise Association (ABF).
O Boticário Today: A Multichannel Beauty Ecosystem
Currently, O Boticário is part of a group that brings together several brands, such as:
- Eudora
- quem disse, berenice?
- The Beauty Box
- Vult
- Dr. Jones
This portfolio offers more than 9,000 products, sold through physical stores, e-commerce, and direct sales, in a multichannel model that consolidates the company as a leader in the beauty sector in the country.
With more than R$ 8 billion in annual revenue, Grupo Boticário employs about 7,000 direct collaborators and more than 22,000 franchisees and beauty consultants.
Sustainability and Social Impact: Beauty with Purpose
Since 1990, Grupo Boticário has also stood out for its social and environmental actions. It created the Grupo Boticário Foundation for Nature Protection, which is now a reference in the preservation of biomes such as Atlantic Forest and Cerrado.
The company maintains two private nature reserves, in addition to funding dozens of environmental projects across Brazil. In its manufacturing units, it invests in circular economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and recyclable packaging.
In cities such as São José dos Pinhais (PR), Registro (SP), Camaçari, and São Gonçalo dos Campos (BA), the company also invests in professional qualification, culture, and community well-being. For the founder, the community is an extension of the company, and the entrepreneur must take care of the place where they operate.
Family Values and Resilience: The Roots of the Group
Miguel Krigsner states that what he learned from his father — a merchant who escaped war — was essential for the growth of the brand. Values such as respect, trust, and perseverance shaped the corporate culture of Grupo Boticário.
Amid the economic crises of the 1990s, Miguel faced financial difficulties and even called suppliers to explain that he needed time and trust. He paid each one of them before the agreed-upon deadline. This act built a trust relationship that remains to this day in the production chain.
These episodes show how the trajectory of O Boticário is based on solid relationships, not just commercial strategies.
The Role of the Physical Store in Times of Digitalization
Despite the advancement of e-commerce, Miguel believes that the physical store remains the heart of the operation. According to him, the contact with products, the possibility of trying them out, and the welcoming atmosphere at the point of sale are irreplaceable.
Today, stores are more than commercial spaces: they are sensory experiences that connect the consumer to the brand. This combination of physical and digital has ensured customer loyalty and supported expansion.
The Formula for Success: Attention to Detail and Commitment to the Future
The founder of O Boticário summarizes his journey with an important lesson: opportunities do not arise by chance, but as a consequence of dedication and attention to detail. For him, luck is being prepared for the unexpected.
Miguel states that if he could go back in time, he would do it all again. His advice for new entrepreneurs is clear: there is no shortcut to success. One must learn from mistakes, grow over time, and act with purpose.
From a Small Pharmacy to the Largest Beauty Group in Brazil
The story of O Boticário shows that you don’t need much money to build an empire — just vision, courage, and commitment. What started as a small pharmacy in Curitiba became one of the largest cosmetics groups in Brazil, with national and international impact.
Today, Grupo Boticário is synonymous with beauty, ethics, innovation, and social responsibility, being an inspiration for thousands of entrepreneurs who dream of transforming realities through simple ideas.
And all of this was born with less than 3,000 dollars, a home mixer, and the dream of a young Bolivian.
No Boticário tudo é tão falso, quanto a foto do miguel na capa desta matéria!
Uma história de grande sabedoria , fé,garra e perseverança,isso acontece quando temos fé e determinação,muito grata por nós passar isso
Amo o boticário também ,e todas as marcas .
Sou revendedora do grupo boticário, fiquei muito admirada pela história do senhor Miguel.fico feliz fazer parte dessa história como revendedora.atual