We were lucky to catch up with Jose-Noel Rocha recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jose-Noel, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
I believe that what you do consistently, you will eventually become. My self discipline comes from who I want to be.
Self-discipline isn’t outright denial of your desires or desserts, it’s harmony with the you that defines your legacy. When I find myself loosing determination, I ask myself questions like:
– Are you someone who’s hard working?
– Someone who can achieve their dreams?
– Someone who makes yourself proud?
– Someone who loves and cares for themselves?
Answering those questions positively in the midst of challenges can give you the boost needed to follow through. If you can’t find a positive answer to those questions, it can set you on a path toward rekindling hope, and rediscovering passion.
On the subject of building legacy: if you have a chance to be remembered by many – self-discipline is needed to answer the call. If you have the chance to be remembered by few, it’s even more important to be a force for good.
Chase after your best self and you won’t even notice when you surpass them.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I love to do marketing for small businesses and innovative brands, but I’m most proud of creating J.L. Rocha Collections with my Dad. We started this small leather goods brand before I went to college as an homage to our family history and a way to give back to the people in our home town.
I grew up visiting Leon, Guanajuato with my family. I would spend hours with my grandfather in his workshop and always cherished the memories and lessons he gave me. My father made it possible for us to bring our family history into the United States, and I am proud to continue this legacy while shipping our product across the globe.
All our pieces are handcrafted by artisans in our home town, we focus on passing along ethical practices, providing fair wages, and placing all our efforts on quality. Each design is made in limited edition 1 of 100 runs, making the cohort of elite men a unique group of excellence.
You can find us at jlrocha.com to join our family.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Resilience, adaptability, and patience have been key in developing myself professionally and personally.
Resilience has carried me through all hard times, keeping me pushing forward when difficulties arrive and reminding me to never give up. Inner strength, is using your resilience to build hope and efforts in the darkest of circumstances. Beyond professional head scratchers, resilience has also made me a stronger person both physically and mentally.
Adaptability is about thinking on your feet and knowing that there’s more than one path to the top of the mountain. Each person has a unique story, and there is no perfect recipe for success. I’ve used google searches, workshopped ideas, and taken ingredients from every aspect and perspective surrounding my life in order to create novel and effective ideas. Sometimes in life, if you can’t adapt, you’ll find yourself stuck trying to fit into a mold that isn’t right for you.
Patience is the final key to success. All things come when you are ready for them, not when you want them. I’ve struggled at times in my life consolidating where I want to be with where I am, but when that happens: I lose sight of the beauty around me and the privilege of my current path. If I could talk to my younger self, I would encourage him to be patient, focus on doing your best today with what you have, and tomorrow will sort itself out.
For folks early in their journey, I encourage you to work on those three traits, and to give yourself the benefit of the doubt. Failure only exists when we stop trying, so never give up on your dreams and you’ll never fail.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
My parents have done so much to change my life for the better, but the most impactful thing has been showing me the possibilities of life.
My father came to the United States when he married my mother, and together they have built successful businesses and lives that provided me with countless opportunities. To this day: my father reminds me of the benefits of self belief, while my mother reminds me of the strength needed to grow.
We have a scheduled FaceTime every Sunday (and talk almost every day) but they always respect me, my opinions, and deliver their advice with the openness of understanding that anything can happen and that I am my own person. Their unyielding support, their focus on showing me my heritage and language, and the way they’ve opened the world to me has defined my life. On a daily basis, I am grateful to them, and lucky to call them both my parents and friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jlrocha.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jlrochashoes
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=119881311455040
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/j-l-rocha-colections/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jlrochacollections
Image Credits
Photos by Elise DeSomer, Pamela De Regules, and Madeleinebphoto
