In July, TRIBUTUS celebrates four years in business. The company’s journey has run parallel to the evolution of the sustainable awards market in Europe. To mark this anniversary, we spoke exclusively with the brand’s founder and CEO, Paulo Ferreira. In an interview marked by honesty and transparency, Paulo shares the initial challenges, the turning point, the international expansion, and how his passion for trail running inspired the creation of a company with a sustainable DNA, focused on people and the circular economy.

1- What motivated you to create TRIBUTUS?

At the time, I hadn’t planned on taking on a project like TRIBUTUS. I was working at a company in the awardsindustry, and I began to feel that it was possible to create high-quality, well-designed awards that would make an impact without relying on traditional materials. This idea was gradually put into practice, but I soon realized that what I really wanted was to build a brand that had its DNA . By coincidence (or perhaps not), it was around that time that I met the person who would become my main business partner—and it was this partnership that led me to launch my own project, where I could put into practice everything I had envisioned for the business, grounded in the values I believe in and champion.

2- How or when did you realize that sustainability and eco-friendly awards would make a difference—that they would be the brand’s DNA?

For me, it was when I started trail running that I developed a different perspective on issues of ecology and sustainability—it was almost like an awakening. Later, as an athlete who competed and won medals and trophies, I began to pay attention to the gear itself and the materials it was made of. It was around 2017 or 2018; there were some awards for eco-friendly materials, but they lacked quality. Since I was already in the industry, I realized that no one was at the heart of the issue, dedicating themselves almost exclusively to sustainable materials. This gap opened the door to the possibility of innovating and creating something different. That’s when I had the vision and an increasingly strong desire to create a brand with this DNA; I knew it wouldn’t be just another passing trend.
After all, it turns out that the trend continues to evolve and grow. Climate change proves it—we’ve reached alarming pollution records. These days, people are increasingly concerned about sustainability, and event organizers and brands have already realized that this is the way forward and want their events to be as sustainable as possible.

3- What was the biggest challenge during the first few months?

Like any company starting from scratch, the biggest challenge in the first few months was gaining the trust of customers—even those who already knew me and were familiar with my personality and work style. And although people believed in the potential, it was still a new company; there was always some skepticism, and I had everything to prove. Building a new brand isn’t easy. But I was confident that the project had what it took to succeed and that things would move forward.
Once the company had established a certain structure, the next major challenge was expanding the team and expanding internationally. These are processes that take time and undoubtedly become real challenges.

4- What was the first major project or client that helped the company take the leap and grow?

It was the Globalsport and the Europe Marathon , without a doubt, and because of the record-short time we had to take on this challenge—it was an unexpected situation: the client approached us just three weeks before the event. It was a major project, and it raised our profile; that’s when we realized we could make a difference, even with a small team. The organizer himself was very pleased with our work. That was the moment we realized we could take on larger projects and that TRIBUTUS’s structure was up to the task.

5- What were the most memorable moments or phases of Tributus for you?

I’d say there were several. The first phase is always memorable—the company’s founding and the brand launch. Choosing the name—one that would be associated with what we produce, that would be easy to remember, and that would stick in people’s minds. The brand’s identity and communication were also significant milestones. Then, expanding the team and scaling up the business were major challenges, without a doubt. Another significant milestone was when we started exporting—first to France and now to Italy. In fact, there’s always a lot of anticipation when we expand the team to enter a new market —how we’ll be received in that country, whether we’ll be able to generate sales, and whether we’ll see a return on our investment.
Expanding the design team was also important. More recently, we revamped the brand’s image; I felt that was essential. We’re already on a different level, so it’s important for the brand to have a more international, modern, and youthful image. We’re also currently expanding and modernizing our facilities to make them more functional. So, there have been several key phases that have been very important.
Of course, these key moments and phases also relate to the company’s financial sustainability. From the very beginning, we’ve always chosen to pay and receive payments on the spot so as to avoid debt, without ever needing to turn to banks for loans or credit.

6- What are you most proud of when it comes to the company and the team?

Without a doubt, growth; without a doubt, the team. I strive to create an environment where everyone believes in the project, works with dedication and commitment, and feels that TRIBUTUS is, in a way, their own.
What makes me most proud is also seeing the growth we’re experiencing, being able to expand internationally and operate in other countries, but above all, it’s the recognition the team receives from clients. In the customer reviews that appear on Google—from customers in every country where TRIBUTUS operates—the company is praised for its responsiveness and personalized service, but also—and this is what gives me even greater confidence—for the support they receive from our sales representatives. So, the customer feels secure and supported, which is excellent for us—it’s a sign that our sales representatives are doing a good job. And, of course, when customers recognize how we support them and are pleasantly surprised by our service and our product, that makes me incredibly proud and confident that the team and the company are on the right track, and confident about the future.

7 – What value, mission, or purpose would you like TRIBUTUS to never lose?

May we never lose our authenticity. May we continue to do things with passion, honesty, and respect for people and the environment. May sustainability remain a core belief and not just a strategy. May the team remain united and focused on the same purpose, and may each member feel valued and included. May every employee feel like an integral part and a piece of the puzzle that is TRIBUTUS. May we continue to be an economically sustainable and profitable company, without losing our focus on people, and may part of what we generate be given back to or invested in society. May we all remain aligned in our commitment to being credible, reliable, and, of course, offering an excellent product. May TRIBUTUS’s personal touch, customer service, quality, and innovation continue to surprise our customers and the public.

8- Imagine it’s an awards gala and you’re about to go up on stage… what would you say to the clients, partners, and people who have trusted TRIBUTUS from the very beginning?

Essentially, I’d just like to say a huge thank you. Because no company grows on its own. To every client who chose us, every partner who believed in us, every person who has been and continues to be part of this journey and helped build TRIBUTUS—and above all, to the team that’s here every day—to all of you, a huge thank you. Looking back over these past four years, our growth has been phenomenal. It was well-planned and structured, and it has been balanced and sustainable. A lot of this is my own doing, of course, but I couldn’t have achieved this growth on my own—not by a long shot.

Paulo Ferreira,
interview by Sandra Marques Augusto

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