Today we’d like to introduce you to Denis Ramos.
Hi Denis, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey in the restaurant industry began more than 16 years ago in Brazil, driven by a passion for hospitality, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Over the years, I built my career from the ground up, eventually founding Kenzo Sushi Lounge in Santos, São Paulo, an award-winning restaurant recognized for its innovation, culinary excellence, and customer experience.
Throughout my career, I have always believed that restaurants should offer more than great food—they should create memorable experiences. This philosophy led me to develop unique concepts, marketing strategies, and community initiatives that helped differentiate my businesses in a competitive industry.
Beyond restaurant operations, I have been honored to receive multiple industry awards and recognitions for my contributions to hospitality and gastronomy. I also had the opportunity to host a television cooking show in Brazil, where I shared culinary knowledge, interviewed guests, and promoted the culture and creativity behind the restaurant industry.
In addition, I have contributed to the hospitality field through published articles, judging activities, educational initiatives, and media appearances. These experiences allowed me to share knowledge while continuously learning from other professionals and helping advance the industry.
In 2024, I co-founded Soulshi Lounge in Winter Garden, Florida. Bringing a new concept to the U.S. market has been both exciting and rewarding. Soulshi was created with the vision of blending exceptional cuisine, innovation, and a vibrant social atmosphere, embracing our motto: “More Than Sushi.”
Looking back, my journey has been defined by resilience, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence. From Brazil to the United States, every challenge has become an opportunity to grow, innovate, and positively impact the communities we serve.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road. Like many entrepreneurs, I have faced numerous challenges throughout my career.
One of the biggest challenges has been building and growing businesses in a highly competitive industry where customer expectations are constantly evolving. Success in the restaurant business requires much more than serving good food—it requires innovation, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the customer experience.
When I moved from Brazil to the United States and co-founded Soulshi Lounge, one of the most significant challenges was adapting flavors, concepts, and menu offerings to a new audience. American customers often have different preferences and dining habits, so it was important to find the right balance between authenticity, creativity, and local tastes.
Developing new dishes that would resonate with the American market while maintaining our identity required extensive testing, experimentation, and continuous refinement. Creating unique menu items and culinary experiences that stand out in a competitive market has been both challenging and rewarding.
The restaurant industry also presents ongoing challenges related to operations, staffing, economic fluctuations, and changing consumer trends. However, I have always viewed obstacles as opportunities to innovate and improve.
Looking back, I believe the difficulties were just as important as the successes. They taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of continuous learning. Every challenge helped shape who I am today as an entrepreneur, restaurateur, and leader.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about SOULSHI LOUNGE?
Soulshi Lounge is a contemporary Japanese fusion restaurant located in Downtown Winter Garden, Florida. Our mission has always been to offer more than great food—we strive to create memorable experiences. That philosophy inspired our motto: “More Than Sushi.”
What sets Soulshi apart is our combination of high-quality cuisine, creativity, hospitality, and atmosphere. While sushi is at the heart of what we do, we continuously develop unique dishes and experiences that blend traditional Japanese techniques with innovative influences from different cultures and flavors.
One of our greatest achievements has been successfully adapting our culinary concepts to the American market while maintaining authenticity and creativity. We invest significant time in developing original menu items, refining flavors, and understanding what resonates with our guests. Signature creations such as our Black Salmon, specialty rolls, and seasonal dishes reflect our commitment to innovation.
Beyond the food, we are proud of the community we have built. Soulshi has become a gathering place where guests celebrate special occasions, connect with friends and family, and enjoy an elevated dining experience. Since opening, we have been fortunate to receive outstanding feedback from our customers and establish a strong reputation within the Winter Garden community.
As a restaurateur with more than 16 years of experience, including founding and operating award-winning restaurants in Brazil, I am particularly proud of bringing this vision to the United States and continuing to innovate within the hospitality industry. Our goal is to keep creating unique experiences, introducing new culinary ideas, and making a positive impact on the communities we serve.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
If I had to choose one quality that has been most important to my success, it would be adaptability.
Throughout my career, I have learned that simply liking what you do is not enough—you have to truly love it. The restaurant industry is dynamic, demanding, and highly competitive. To succeed over the long term, passion must go beyond enthusiasm; it must become a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
Every day presents a new challenge and a new opportunity to create something better. Whether developing new dishes, refining guest experiences, leading teams, or adapting to changing market trends, I believe it is important to approach each day with creativity and a willingness to evolve.
Adaptability became even more important when I expanded my career from Brazil to the United States. Building a business in a new country required me to understand a different culture, different consumer behaviors, and new expectations. One of the most rewarding challenges has been creating dishes and experiences that resonate with the American market while maintaining authenticity and originality.
I also believe resilience and innovation are essential qualities. Some of our most successful ideas came from experimentation, listening to customer feedback, and continuously improving. In a competitive industry, standing still is not an option. You must be willing to learn, adapt, and create something new every day.
Ultimately, success is not just about achieving goals—it is about maintaining the passion, discipline, and curiosity to keep growing. That mindset has guided me throughout my journey and continues to inspire everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soulshilounge.com
- Instagram: @soulshilounge
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denis-ramos-b0484263
