Aparecida Ayres, a 47-year-old entrepreneur from the traditional caiçara community in Paraty, Rio de Janeiro, is leveraging her ancestral knowledge to create sustainable business opportunities through her restaurant and tourism center, Rancho Ayres. Paraty is a town known for its serene landscapes and rich history, and Ayres has been able to connect the local environment with a business model that respects and promotes the region's cultural and natural heritage.

Ayres has a deep-rooted connection to her territory, which spans over 150 years of family lineage on the coast of Rio de Janeiro. At Rancho Ayres, she utilizes marine algae not only as a business venture but as a means of combating real estate speculation that threatens the local ecosystem. The use of algae, which has been a traditional practice in her community for agricultural purposes, has now been transformed into a strategic innovation that supports sustainable development while nurturing the ecological balance of her surroundings.

Since participating in a course on algiculture and sustainable territorial development in 2021, Ayres has focused on integrating indigenous practices with modern business strategies. Her success highlights the importance of local knowledge in entrepreneurship, addressing critical issues like environmental conservation and economic sustainability. By doing so, she sets a precedent for others in similar communities to follow, fostering a spirit of innovation grounded in respect for their cultural and natural identities.