Raika Coutinho

Height: 5’8
Hometown: Kelowna, BC
Languages: English, Italian, Portuguese
Occupation: Entrepreneur

Raika is a Brazilian-Canadian with a dynamic blend of Brazilian warmth and Canadian resilience, she strides forward as passionate mental health advocate after the loss of her best friend to suicide, a seasoned problem-solving marketing specialist and ardent travel lover. With a heart as vast as her dreams, she carries fifteen years of experience in the beauty industry, blending grace with determination on every runway she treads.

Fluent in three languages, English, Portugueses and Italian, possessing an impressive ability to communicate across cultures, she is further enhancing her Spanish and French skills. Beyond her linguistic talents, Raika holds licenses for both guns and boats, illustrating her versatility and adventurous spirit. Her hobbies extend to musical pursuits, as she adeptly plays three different instruments. Furthermore, she’s a sports enthusiast, engaging in tennis, golf, and soccer with equal passion and skill.

As a former Realtor and Strata Manager, her journey in the real estate industry provided invaluable experience and insight. Now, as the owner of a marketing company, she combines her expertise with her entrepreneurial spirit to drive innovation and growth. Looking ahead, she has set ambitious goals to expand her real estate portfolio. Beyond business endeavors, she aspires to be part of projects that amplify the voices of marginalized communities, striving to make a meaningful impact on society.

Kindness is her compass, guiding her every endeavor as she navigates the intricacies of her dual heritage with grace and poise. Raika is not just a dreamer; she’s a visionary, committed to reshaping narratives and fostering change in the world around her.

What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?

Being active, specially outside is what I like the most, I grew up doing all kind of sports in Brazil such as skateboarding, horse riding, basketball and volleyball and of course soccer. Today I like to play golf, tennis, horse riding, hiking, go to a shooting range or boating, anything Be near the water/ nature is what makes me alive!

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.) *
My dad owns a music school, so I was lucky to be able to learn how to play 3 instruments, drums, guitar, some percussion instruments (tambourine, tycon, triangle etc…)

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

My dad owns a music school, so I was lucky to be able to learn how to play 3 instruments, drums, guitar, some percussion instruments (tambourine, tycon, triangle etc…)

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

Growing up, I played soccer at my city’s official team and I’m currently focusing on playing tennis, golf and learning English Riding as I grew up riding horses, so I’m super excited.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

My brother! He has always being an example to be. As a brother, a man, a son, a husband, a dad and today as a pastor. I’ve seeing him go through ups and downs and he remained kind and compassionate. He got it from my daddy. 🙂

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

I had many moments in my life that I consider an accomplishment, from the smallest to the biggest ones, but my proudest personal accomplishment was the day that I received my citizenship in Canada. I’m saying that because I know all the ups and downs that I experienced here for today stand proud as a Canadian. I use to always ask myself what was Gods purpose to bringing me here. When I received the citizienship, I realized that God was not only opening better doors for me, but for my family as well. And for this I’m the proudest!

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

My dad bought our first family car, an used Fiat Elba, altho it was used, it was a great car and as I grew up in a family that was heavily involved in the church, we would often use the car to drive people home in a rainy day after the church, drive to near farms to pray with people (there was no asphalt) or just normal use like driving us to school.

After while the car started to have several problems, as you can imagine. One day the car disappeared, we thought that it was stolen. Few weeks later my dad was invited to play in a church event at the city stadium. We all went to support as usual, but when we arrived there we saw people from our entire town and our Elba “brand new”, the entire town put money together to fix our car. My parents have the CD until today showing all the people who volunteered and helped financially to not only fix the car but also upgrade with ac, cd player and brand new tires. It was truly a moment that the entire family will never forget. 🙂

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

As a career, I aim to expand my marketing company globally and flip Real Estate. To accomplish those goals, I’m already working with international brands that will help me create the portfolio to infuse new costumers. In addition, I’m keeping an eye on the Real Estate market for portfolio opportunities.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

Represent Canada in the Miss Universe. This is currently my “dream job”.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I grew up in a small town in Minas Gerais – Brazil, with about 16,000 people. This city was surrounded by other small cities and farms, so I grew up very up near the nature, jumping from waterfalls, riding horses, eating mango from trees and playing soccer outside with my brother and sister. Heavily involved in church, even tho we were not always stable financially, I grew up seeing my parents making soup every Saturday for the families in need in our town, volunteering and taking from us to give to others. What not always was the best for us at the time. On my teens, I started to skateboard because I thought that I was “super cool” lol I was a tomboy and I love it! I wouldn’t change this side of me for anything!

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

As I left my parents house in a young age to “pursue my dreams”, I worked in so many jobs, but I remember that in order for me to move to the “big city” I had to work on a gas station pumping gas, I met some incredible people, saved money and moved. I also worked modeling in 5 different countries that gave me so much exposure to new cultures and I will forever be grateful for those opportunities.

List any volunteering you have done.

Growing up that was our job, and when I say that, I mean it. Our entire house hold was involved in volunteering in schools, churches, slums, prison… any place or way we cold help others.

What is your most unusual talent?

I don’t think I have one to be complete honest, I can speak multiple languages but I believe that is not that unusual nowadays.

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

Italy! There are so many cities that gives you complete difference feelings, Venice (a city in the water), Milan, Firenze, Gallipoli, Ostuni (the white city), Sardinia (the most clear waters) everywhere that you look or travel to is unique! To do not even mentioned the food. Fantastico!

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

I hope to have a family with at least 5 dogs, have my family from Brazil closer to me, be part of something that help other giving me a purpose in life that I will be proud of and own several Real Estate properties.