From Near-Bankruptcy to R$ 1.9 M: One Agency's Comeback

How Did a Web Agency in Recife Almost Go Bankrupt?

Felipe Pereira founded Unu Digital in Recife, Pernambuco, in 2003, starting with nothing more than his personal computer and a borrowed room. He formalized the business the following year and grew steadily, building websites and landing pages for clients across Brazil.

What Went Wrong Along the Way?

As the agency expanded, Pereira became fascinated by the world of digital products — e-books, online courses, webinars, and podcasts. He shifted his focus toward content production and left daily agency operations in the hands of employees. The consequences were severe.

Revenue dropped sharply. By 2016 and 2017, Pereira was mixing personal and business finances just to cover urgent expenses. "I remember needing to buy clothes for my second child, a one-year-old baby at the time, and not being able to pay even for a second-hand onesie," he recalled. He described those years as the worst of his life, marked by intense anxiety.

What Drastic Steps Did He Take to Survive?

Pereira made tough calls. He cut personal and business costs to the bone, laid off half his team, moved to a smaller office, and took out a bank loan just to cover payroll and severance. Only then could he breathe and plan his next steps.

What Decision Actually Changed Everything?

The turnaround came from returning to basics: digital marketing services. In 2019, he launched a second company, Revolução Digital, offering a training programme for marketing agencies in a model similar to franchising — but without royalty fees, geographic restrictions, or rigid contracts. The programme trained more than 630 agencies across 18 countries.

Pereira later stepped away from Revolução Digital and also left Acelera Franchising — an accelerator that supported brands such as YES! Cosmetics — to focus exclusively on Unu Digital. In 2025, the agency posted revenue of R$ 1.9 million.