Adulthood
BU Campus
Early Career:
Evando tapped into the restaurant industry as a college aged student and worked his way up in many different restaurants. Early on after graduating from Boston University with a Bachelor's degree in hospitality and a Master's degree in business, Evando continued to work at restaurants in the Boston Area as he was living in an apartment in the Back Bay at the time. He started by bussing and waiting tables until he started to take on managerial roles.
Early Family Life:
"It was 1999 and Evando was working his normal Friday night shift at Ciao Bella, a restaurant in the city. It was that night that he would meet his future wife: Melissa Ananias (Melissa Kassel at the time)" (Emma Ananias 6:39). A few years later in 2001 he and Melissa Kassel would get married and move into a suburban home in Needham, Massachusetts. In 2004 they had their first child together, Emma Ananias. Two years later in 2006 the two would go on to have their second child together, Gabriella Ananias. That same year there was another important addition to the family: Rosy, the Golden Retriever!
The Teddy Bear Village daycare, Framingham, MA
A New Beginning:
In 2008, Evando and Melissa Ananias separated. Melissa moved a few streets over in Needham, Massachusetts with her two daughters Emma and Gabriella. Evando moved to Stoneham, Massachusetts where he lives with his brother Eloi. Unfortunately, the next couple of years were pretty tough for Evando. His other brother Elias was deported back to Brazil and not so far after, their mother passed of ALS in 2009. Two years later in 2011, Evando felt a sharp pain in his chest. His family has a medical history of heart problems and it turned out to be quite serious. Nearly escaping death, Evando survived a quadruple bypass surgery on his heart.
Car Ride!
Boston University:
In 1987 when Evando Ananias was a 19 year old young man, "he immigrated to America alone, leaving the rest of his family behind in Sao Paulo, Brazil" (Emma Ananias 2:37). He came to America to get an education while attending Boston University. This was a new start for Evando, the hope for a better life motivated him every step of the way. He did now have a dual citizenship: Brazilian and American. When Ananias arrived at Boston University he was placed in a college for the international students of BU. At university, Evando studied business as well as hospitality. It was in college where Evando got his first job in America. Ananias began working in the restaurant industry. He worked at a casual diner where he waited tables making little money, mainly relying on tips. Later throughout his 4 year B.A. at Boston University, Evando would go on to work at many different restaurants, gaining lots of experience in the industry.
Emma Ananias (right), Gabriella Ananias (left)
Time for a Change:
By the time Emma and Gabriella were born, their mother and Evando's wife, Melissa Ananias was making major career strides herself. Melissa owned five different daycares called the Learning Zone scattered around the Greater Boston Area and was about to open a sixth. Melissa successfully opened and ran her sixth daycare for about a year until Evando wanted a career change. Evando was tired of working in the restaurant business and wanted to try something different. After going back to school to get certified and acquiring the proper teaching licenses, Evando was ready to make his move. By 2007, Evando was done with his schooling and purchased Melissa's newest daycare facility. Evando changed the name from the Learning Zone to The Teddy Bear Village daycare. At this point, he and his wife Melissa were both pursuing entrepreneurial businesses in the child care industry.
Family Meal!
The Present (2021):
Present day, 2021, Evando is still living in Stoneham, Massachusetts with his brother Eloi. Evando's daycare is running smoothly despite the global pandemic and he is spending lots of time with his two daughters, Emma and Gabriella.
The American Dream:
Evando Ananias' immigration story is one of many ups and downs. But that's life! With family around him all the time and a successfully operated self run business I'd say Evando is living the American Dream.
