Before leading a global content company, Fabiano Cid was chasing a dream on stage.
He trained as an actor, wrote a novel, and even sold sandwiches to survive. But life had a different path for him. One that would lead him through failure, growth, and ultimately, impact.
“I was an actor and I gave up after not making any money,” Fabiano shares. “Then I tried becoming a diplomat… and finally found localization.”
This Merging Minds episode isn't just about business. It's about identity, resilience, and community.
His Start in Localization Was Anything but Typical
When Fabiano applied for a translator job in the 1990s, he didn’t have formal experience.
But he had something rare for the time: a website where he published poetry and plays.
“Renato Marinato hired me because I had a website. That was a big deal back then.”
This moment kickstarted a long journey from freelancer to founder.
Building a Company, Then Almost Losing It
Fabiano’s company in Brazil grew to 20+ people. He had clients like Oracle, Red Hat, and LinkedIn.
But when the 2014 financial crisis hit, everything changed.
“I was at the top of my game… then it felt like a punch in the stomach.”
Instead of giving up or selling out, Fabiano fought to keep his team together.
He turned down offers that wouldn’t protect his employees and held on, hoping for a better outcome.
Eventually, he sold the company twice but never walked away from his people.
Leading While Struggling
Fabiano has led during some very tough times personally and professionally.
“I’ve dealt with depression. I’ve questioned who I am. But I started reaching out. I built a support network. That changed everything.”
He reminds us that leaders don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be human.
From Localization to Global Content
Fabiano believes the industry is changing, and fast!
“We’re not just localizing anymore. We’re doing global content. It’s about brand, governance, accessibility, and impact.”
This shift is also attracting attention from outside localization, especially from investors focused on data, scale, and transformation.
Being a Queer Leader and Giving Visibility to Others
Fabiano also opens up about what it means to lead as a gay man.
“I was lucky. But how many trans people or queer women have prominent roles in our industry? Not enough.”
He’s calling for more visibility and inclusion. Not just for white gay men, but for everyone underrepresented in leadership roles.
What We Can Learn from Fabiano
Here are some key takeaways from this powerful episode:
- Failing is part of growth
Fabiano faced near-bankruptcy but used it as fuel to evolve. - People matter more than profit
He made tough choices to protect his team, even when it hurt. - Don’t lead alone
Support networks, therapy, and mentorship are game changers. - Representation matters
Visibility isn’t a luxury, it’s a responsibility.
“At the end of the day, it’s about talent and people. Without them, we’re doomed.”
Fabiano’s journey reminds us: you don’t have to be rich or perfect to be impactful.
You just have to show up, care deeply, and keep evolving.
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