More than a Brunch spot in the Algarve

Thanks to my work, I meet many interesting people, but I didn’t realise just how inspiring Martinho’s story was when I first discovered Evolution. At first, it was the business itself that caught my attention — a unique concept combining electric vehicles with a trendy brunch spot. Curious to learn more, I arranged to meet Martinho at Evolution in Faro, and it quickly became clear that not only his business but also his life journey was extraordinary.

Martinho was born in Lisbon but, at just eight months old, was adopted by a family of Angolan descendants living in Almancil. His two siblings were also adopted, each from a different family. He describes his childhood as difficult and challenging. Although the family had electricity, they lacked drinkable water, and life was far from easy. His parents were strict, and from a young age, Martinho felt he wanted more from life.

A talented and determined student, he often wondered where his drive came from, as he never knew his biological parents. He believes that part of our destiny is already decided before we are born and that we end up exactly where we are meant to be. He also has a strong interest in numerology, noting that the number eleven, which appears in his birth date, symbolises intuition and purpose. Still, he credits much of his ambition to his upbringing, which forced him to become independent early in life.

Feeling misunderstood at home, Martinho found support in an unexpected place — his chemistry teacher. The teacher recognised his talent and encouraged him to push himself further academically. Martinho still remembers the first day the teacher entered the classroom and told the students that most of them would give up because the subject was too difficult.

“For me, when I hear something like this, I immediately want to prove the person wrong and show that I can do it,” Martinho says. “In the end, I found common ground with the teacher, and I consider him an important figure in my life.”

Martinho became one of the best students in his class, dreaming of one day studying cardiology. He completed one semester at university but had to stop due to financial difficulties. Like many locals in the Algarve, his path eventually led him into hospitality. While working in a restaurant in Vilamoura, he met his first wife, who is Ukrainian. Together, they had two children: a son and, later, a daughter. Although life seemed stable, Martinho still felt unfulfilled in the restaurant industry.

Building a life abroad

Inspired by stories from a cousin living in Norway, he decided to make a life-changing move. Martinho relocated alone to Norway while his wife and children remained in the Algarve. Determined to build a better future, he worked tirelessly in hospitality, often taking on long hours to save enough money to bring his family over. Thanks to his strong work ethic and leadership skills, he quickly progressed into supervisor and management roles.

As the years passed and their children grew older, his relationship eventually ended, but Martinho remained deeply involved in their lives. Having experienced a difficult childhood himself, he is committed to providing the best possible life for his children. He especially admires the Norwegian school system, which has zero tolerance for bullying and emphasises equality and well-being.

While working at a ski resort in Norway, Martinho met his second wife, a Hungarian who runs a successful nail art business. Around the same time, his own career continued to evolve. After securing his first restaurant manager position, he later moved to Oslo to work for Scandic, the largest hotel chain in Scandinavia.

From hospitality to Tesla

Always searching for new challenges, Martinho eventually decided to apply for a job at Tesla after hearing about opportunities there from a friend. He began as a service adviser but quickly advanced to senior service adviser thanks to his dedication and eagerness to learn. During a period when Tesla was heavily focused on service automation and remote diagnostics, Martinho became regional supervisor for the Virtual Service Team in southern Norway. His role involved overseeing customer support and helping relay technical feedback to developers, contributing to improvements in the company’s services and systems.

“Tesla was a company where I could use my driven personality to grow and help the company grow as well. It was a great experience,” he says.

During this period, Martinho and his wife welcomed their daughter Chloe. While on maternity and paternity leave, the family decided to spend several months in Portugal, drawn by the warmer climate and fresh food. Returning to the Algarve reignited Martinho’s connection to the region and sparked the idea for a completely new venture.

Creating Evolution

“Many Portuguese people still drive combustion-engine cars without realising how much money they could save by switching to electric vehicles,” he explains.

Combining his experience in hospitality, customer service, management and electric mobility, Martinho envisioned a concept store unlike anything else in the Algarve — a place where people could explore used electric vehicles in a relaxed environment while also enjoying quality food and coffee. He found the perfect location in Faro and launched Evolution. What began as a small café attached to a car showroom quickly developed into one of the Algarve’s most popular brunch destinations.

“If you eat better, you live better,” Martinho says. “We offer a carefully curated menu of fresh, seasonal food and handcrafted drinks, designed to be shared, savoured and enjoyed.”

That philosophy is reflected throughout Evolution’s menu, which was developed with the help of a well-known Norwegian chef. Today, Evolution operates around two core passions — exceptional brunch experiences and sustainable electric mobility.

Driving change for the future

“I decided to focus on used electric vehicles to make electric cars more affordable,” Martinho explains. “It’s the middle and working class that I’m here for, and I’m always happy to answer questions and support people through the process of buying an electric vehicle.”

“We’re not just selling cars — we’re driving change, shaping a smarter, cleaner and more sustainable world for future generations. We invite people to discover the latest trends in electric mobility and find the perfect vehicle that matches their lifestyle and values.”

From a difficult childhood in the Algarve to building a successful business that combines sustainability, hospitality and community, Martinho’s journey proves that determination and strong will can transform even the hardest beginnings into something extraordinary.

Evolution insta: @evolution_conceptstore

Address: R.Eng.Aboim Sande de Lemos 1A, Faro