Aldo Vidinha
Home: Lisbon. Age: 45. Birthplace: Nazaré. Profession: Pharmaceutical industry executive. Organization: Freelance. Title: Senior Freelance Consultant. Alma mater: Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia. Languages spoken: Portuguese, English, Spanish, French.
Current project: Leading the start-up, commissioning and validation of two facilities: one for pharmaceutical manufacturing for a start-up and another for medical devices manufacturing for a major Danish multinational in Portugal. Recent professional development: Working as a senior freelance consultant to multiple companies within the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry. Latest accomplishment: Managing and completing the construction of my family house. Latest contribution to others: Working as a volunteer in the Fundação O Século in Carcavelos, Portugal. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Starting my own company, Stepscience, and growing it from scratch to having a team of 40 consultants and achieving an annual revenue of over 2M euros. Hobbies: Sports, movies, family. Recent travel or adventure: Las Vegas, Scotland, Thailand. Last book read: The 5am Club, by Robin Sharma. Own Your Morning. Elevate your Life. Recently viewed and recommended: The Substance, Adolesce, The Studio. Recent unique acquisition: Finished the renovation of a new work office.
Personality profile: Driven, focused, ethical, trustworthy. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Loyal. Moral compass: Do no harm and create positive impact — in people, projects, and the planet. How do you define a perfect friendship? The perfect friendship Mutual loyalty, trust and honesty. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Transparency, integrity, alignment, reliability, respect. What is your greatest joy? Being with my family and having quality time with them. What is your greatest fear? Losing any of them. What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Focus. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Lifestyle coaching.
What three emojis best describe you? 😄⚽✈️.
What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Investment in real estate, eating out with my family, holidays. What is at the top of your bucket list? Amazon forest and river adventure in Brasil. How do you relieve stress? Sports. What is your go-to workout? Gym, Padel, bike. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? My family.
What was your first paying job? Waiter in my uncle’s restaurant. What was your favorite college course? Mathematics. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Tetris. What book have you repeatedly read? Any Dan Brown book. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Star Wars, National Treasure, Jerry Maguire. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? My family picture and a motivation phrase. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My wife. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Don’t give up, go after your dreams. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Artificial intelligence. What is your favorite app? Friday. What is your go-to source of news and information? Newspaper apps, Google, Instagram, Facebook. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Google, ChatGPT, Deepseek. What company or organization do you most admire? Apple, for their innovation focus, despite their recent struggles to keep up. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? Covid pandemic. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Birth of both my children.
What is your big idea? A new construction concept that is sustainable and with negative carbon footprint from hemp-based construction materials. Applicable not only to residential housing but also for industrial projects and data centers. What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Building a new office for the new construction company. What change would you like to see in the world? Focus your energy on what is important to you, and don’t waste energy with minor things. What message do you want to send out into the world? Do your best to have a positive impact on others.
What widely held belief do you reject? That leadership is about control. True leadership is about trust, clarity, and empowering others to outperform you. What mega-trend most excites you? Artificial intelligence supporting businesses all around the world. What mega-trend most concerns you? Artificial intelligence replacing people in businesses all around the world.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Blueprints of Tomorrow. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Oscar Isaac. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? Isaac Newton. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A doctor. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Photo albums. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my whole family together and having the greatest last day. What advice would you give your younger self? Be more patient and continue following your dreams. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day.
Personal mission: To provide my kids the best tools to become successful in their personal and professional life. Personal motto: Lead with purpose, build with integrity. Favorite quote: “Success is not about power — it’s about purpose” (Robin Sharma). Desired epitaph: He built with purpose, led with heart, and left things better than he found them.
