Lucas Moreira Dos Santos, a 29-year-old Brazilian immigrant, has transformed his life from a $10-an-hour landscaper to the proud owner of Urban Street Pizza in Brookfield’s Four Corners. His story is a testament to perseverance and the pursuit of the American dream.
Arriving in Danbury at 19, Moreira Dos Santos spoke only Portuguese and took on landscaping jobs. Within a decade, he not only mastered English but also became a successful pizza shop owner. “I’m getting new customers every day. Brookfield is a big area. There’s a lot of new buildings coming up, and many people are moving here,” he said.
Moreira Dos Santos’ journey began in Brazil, where he worked in construction and briefly studied engineering. Seeking a better quality of life, he moved to the U.S. with his family in 2016. He started in landscaping and construction before venturing into the pizza business as a delivery driver for Wilton Pizza.
It was at Wilton Pizza where Moreira Dos Santos met his mentor, Matthew Criscuolo. “He’s a hard-working guy on a mission. He’s driven, he’s motivated. He’s got an entrepreneurial spirit,” Criscuolo said. Recognizing Moreira Dos Santos’ potential, Criscuolo nurtured his skills and passion for the business.
Moreira Dos Santos’ breakthrough came during the COVID-19 pandemic when he stepped up to fill a staffing gap at Urban Street Pizza in Brookfield. “I started making pizza. I knew I could handle the busy times,” he recalled. His dedication and quick learning allowed him to master every aspect of running a pizza shop.
In 2022, Moreira Dos Santos became a partner in the business, and by March of the following year, he took full ownership of Urban Street Pizza. Now, as he works towards obtaining U.S. citizenship, he dreams of expanding his business ventures.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Moreira Dos Santos offers simple yet powerful advice: “Don’t give up. It’s going to be hard work, but think of your future and just keep going.”
As Brookfield continues to grow, so does Moreira Dos Santos’ vision for his future in the pizza business and beyond. His story serves as an inspiration for immigrants and entrepreneurs alike, proving that with determination and hard work, success is within reach.
