Today we’d like to introduce you to Leonardo Martins.
Hi Leonardo, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I look back to 2021, I remember the courage it took to open Bossa ’N Roll Records in the middle of the pandemic. At a time when many small businesses were closing their doors, I held tightly to the vision I carried. My years of management experience helped me navigate the uncertainty, and little by little, what began as a small shop became a place where people could reconnect with the timeless culture of vinyl.
From the very beginning, I knew we were building something far greater than just a store. Vinyl is history pressed into grooves and each album tells the story of a generation, an artist, a cultural moment. Preserving that, making it available for discovery, and introducing it to young students and musicians gives our work a cultural and educational value that stretches far beyond our city. That’s why I see it as something of national, even global, importance: it keeps music heritage alive while opening doors for the next generation to study, learn, and create.
Over the years, I’ve worked to position myself to carry this mission forward. We’ve grown our presence not only in Florida but also online, connecting with collectors and music lovers across the country and the world. We’ve earned trust from those searching for rare titles and from young artists discovering analog sound that many of whom are now releasing their own albums on vinyl.
Looking ahead, our vision is clear. We plan to expand into Tennessee, bringing jobs, workshops, and cultural opportunities to communities that will benefit most. For us, the store is not just a business but a hub, a place where students can study music and analog formats, where collectors can find what they thought was lost, and where the culture of vinyl continues to inspire. In this way, our growth will directly benefit the country by preserving culture, creating employment, and strengthening the bridge between music’s past and its future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Opening the store in 2021, right in the middle of the pandemic, was far from a smooth road. In fact, it felt like starting a race against the wind. Many small businesses around us were closing their doors, supply chains were unstable, and people were cautious about spending. For a new record store, it meant not only fighting to survive but also convincing the community that vinyl still mattered in such uncertain times. On top of that, one of the biggest challenges was sourcing records themselves, finding rare titles in good condition is never easy.
What helped me push through was my background in management and the belief that music is timeless. I had to be creative and finding ways to reach customers online, building trust with collectors worldwide, and slowly growing a loyal base locally and nationally. There were moments of doubt, but each challenge forced me to learn, adapt, and innovate. Looking back, those struggles shaped the resilience of our business. They proved that even under the toughest circumstances, a clear vision and persistence can turn obstacles into stepping stones… and sometimes, even into treasures worth preserving.
As you know, we’re big fans of Bossa `N Roll Records. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At Bossa ’N Roll Records, our mission goes far beyond selling vinyl. We specialize in preserving music history, curating rare and hard-to-find titles, and creating access for younger generations to discover analog culture. What sets us apart is that we don’t see records as just products , we see them as cultural artifacts that carry stories and connect people across time. This work has significant value because it contributes to education, preservation, and access to a form of art that is once again thriving as new musicians continue to release their albums on vinyl.
I bring to this mission not only passion, but years of management expertise. Since opening in 2021, I have built a resilient brand in the middle of the pandemic, expanded our reach through both local presence and global platforms, and developed strong ties with students, musicians, and collectors.
We are proud to be recognized as a space where people can find everything from iconic rock albums to Brazilian gems, from new releases by today’s musicians to vintage pressings you can’t easily find elsewhere. Beyond sales, we see our role as educators too , opening the doors for students and young musicians to learn about analog formats, music history, and the cultural impact of vinyl. Also our store is inclusive and accessible, welcoming customers with disabilities. For us, vinyl culture isn’t just about preserving music, it’s about opening the doors so that everyone can share in it.
Brand-wise, what makes us proud is the community we’ve built around music. Customers walk in not just to shop, but to share stories, memories, and discoveries. We want readers to know that our mission goes far beyond commerce: we restore, preserve, and circulate culture. Whether someone is chasing a rare title, discovering vinyl for the first time, or releasing their own record, we want Bossa ’N Roll to feel like home.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about Orlando is its incredible diversity and cultural energy. It’s a city where people from all over the world come together, bringing different stories, traditions, and sounds. That mix makes Orlando a perfect place for a record store like ours , because vinyl is also about diversity, history, and connection. I love how the city embraces creativity and how many young people, including college students, are eager to discover music in its analog form.
What I like least is the heavy traffic, which can make it harder for small businesses to get the steady foot traffic they need. But even that challenge pushes us to grow beyond our four walls.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bossanrollrecords.com
- Instagram: @bossanrollrecords
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bossanrollrecords
Image Credits
Personal archive.
