Kelly Alexandra Borges Lima: Winner of the 2025 Great Companies International Women Entrepreneur Award

Name: Kelly Alexandra Borges Lima

Business Name: Kitudo Flavours

Location: Melbourne , Australia

Category: Food & Beverage

Website: https://kitudoflavours.com.au/

Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-alexandra-93b1b597/

Company Detail:

Founded in 2018 and based in Melbourne, KI TUDO Flavours is a catering and frozen food business that brings the authentic taste of Brazilian finger food to Australia. They specialise in handcrafted savoury pastries filled with seven unique flavours, including a vegan option. All their products—except the Cheese Ball—are dairy-free, coated in golden breadcrumbs, and deep-fried to perfection for a crispy and satisfying bite.

Their offerings include traditional favourites such as “coxinhas” (chicken croquettes), cheese balls, and seasonal creations like their popular Easter “Ovo Coxinha.” Customers can enjoy their snacks freshly fried at events or take them home in frozen packs, ready to heat and serve.

As an immigrant entrepreneur, Kelly started KI TUDO Flavours to share a taste of Brazil with local communities and to build a cultural bridge through food. Their mission is to spread happiness and connection through high-quality, authentic flavours made with love and dedication.

Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:

What sets KI TUDO Flavours apart is the authenticity, quality, and heart behind everything they do. Their products are handcrafted using traditional Brazilian recipes, offering a genuine taste of Brazil that is hard to find in Australia. Each snack is made with carefully selected ingredients, attention to detail, and a deep respect for the culinary culture they represent.

They are proud to offer a diverse range of flavours, including a vegan option and mostly dairy-free selections, making their menu more inclusive. Their unique approach allows customers to enjoy their food both freshly fried at events or conveniently at home through their frozen packs.

But beyond the food, people connect with their story. As an immigrant woman entrepreneur, Kelly has built this business with passion and resilience, and that love shows in every bite. Customers choose KI TUDO Flavours not just for the delicious taste, but for the warmth, culture, and personal touch that come with it.

Challenges Faced During the Journey:

As an immigrant woman starting over in a new country, Kelly faced many challenges, personally, professionally, and financially. One of the biggest obstacles was the language barrier. Not speaking English fluently in the beginning made it difficult to communicate with suppliers, customers, and government services. It affected everything from understanding regulations to expressing the value of her products.

She also started KI TUDO Flavours with very limited resources and no local connections, in a market where Brazilian food was not widely known. She had to educate people about their cuisine, build trust from scratch, and adapt to a completely different business environment.

Without a big budget, she did everything herself—cooking, packaging, delivering, marketing, and customer service. Balancing this with family responsibilities and learning the local business culture was a daily challenge.

Despite all of this, Kelly remained determined. She focused on quality, consistency, and building strong relationships with each customer. Every obstacle helped shape her resilience and creativity. Today, KI TUDO Flavours is a growing business that proudly brings the flavours of Brazil to Australia.

Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:

Kelly's biggest advice to young women is: believe in yourself, even when no one else does. Starting a business is never easy, especially as a woman, but your passion, persistence, and purpose will carry you through. Don’t wait to be “ready” or for things to be perfect. Start with what you have, learn as you go, and trust your instincts.

Surround yourself with people who support your growth, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. There will be challenges, doubts, and even failures, but every step will make you stronger. Be proud of who you are and the unique perspective you bring.

As an immigrant, Kelly had to overcome language barriers, fear, and many limitations, but she never stopped dreaming. If she can build a business in a new country, from scratch, so can anyone. Keep going, and remember: your courage is your greatest asset.