SODIÊ SWEETS: EMPIRE OF SWEETNESS
By Giovanna Prates
From a small 20-square-meter space to one of the largest confectionery chains in the country, a story of perseverance, entrepreneurial vision, and love for family.
The journey of Cleusa Maria da Silva, founder of Sodiê Doces, is an inspiration for Brazilian entrepreneurship. Comingfrom a humble background, she worked as a day laborer in the fields, a sugarcane cutter, and a domestic worker beforediscovering in confectionery an opportunity to transform her life. In 1997, in the city of Salto, in the countryside of SãoPaulo state, she started a small business that would eventually become a brand with significant national and internationalrecognition.
The name Sodiê embodies the essence of her personal story: it was created by combining the names of her children, Sofia and Diego, reflecting the importance of family in her life and in building her legacy. Together with her mother, Cleusaturned challenges into opportunities and built a journey defined by courage, perseverance, and the ability to innovate.
Her son, Diego, also plays an important role in this story. Leading expansion projects and the development of newbusinesses, he has stood out particularly for the creation of Sodiê Salgados, expanding the family’s presence in the foodindustry and contributing to the continuity of a business built on dedication and a forward-looking vision.
Today, Sodiê Doces has more than 400 stores in Brazil and abroad, with a portfolio featuring over 80 cake flavors,including traditional recipes, specialty options, homemade cakes, sugar-free varieties, and new offerings that keep pacewith market trends.
The brand has expanded its offerings far beyond cakes, providing savory snacks, traditional and gourmet bite-sizedsweets, bonbons, premium chocolates, coconut candies, and the convenient Party Kit, which brings together a variety ofproducts to make celebrations even more special. Its portfolio also keeps up with evolving consumer preferences,featuring new products such as the Bolo Morango do Amor (Love Strawberry Cake) and Morango Cravejado (Chocolate-Covered Strawberry), as well as distinctive options such as whey protein cakes and beverages available at locations thatoffer these alternatives.
This diversity demonstrates the company’s ability to innovate without losing its essence: delivering flavor, quality, and happy moments. More than just a confectionery chain, Sodiê has become a brand that is part of birthdays, family gatherings, and celebrations that hold a special place in its customers’ memories.
Cleusa and Diego represent two generations of entrepreneurship, united by the strength of family and the desire to build alasting legacy. She embodies the courage to start from scratch and the vision that transformed a small business into amajor chain; he contributes to its expansion and the pursuit of new opportunities for the company.
