We recently connected with Gabriel Gonzalez and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gabriel, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
A big part comes from being an immigrant. I’m a Venezuelan who left his country looking for a better future. Many times alone. Many times simply not knowing what the future held. However, it was the dream for being able to accomplish big things what kept the hunger alive. That, combined with people who took bets on me. All those combined is what allows me to keep going despite the No’s and setbacks. It’s the promise I once made to myself to keep going. That’s a promise that will never die. That’s the key to my resilience.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m one of the founders behind Casalú. A brand built to represent modern Latino Culture in the alcohol space. Casa – our home and heritage. Salú – how we pronounce “salud” and welcome everyone to share our culture.
What’s most exciting about the journey is building a brand that hasn’t been built before. Our generation of Latinos craves a brand built for them and that’s what keeps us going every day.
We launched in 2022 and in less than two years we’ve gone from three founders knocking on doors to a team expanding our drinks brand beyond Miami. We’re excited about launching our newest flavor this summer.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Listening, empathy, imagination.
There are many public speaking classes but very few listening one. It’s a skill learned the hard way. It’s the core one. My advice is to practice it by having conversations and asking one self: Why is this person saying this? How can I help this person beyond my intended ask?
If you start there then empathy to their story and imagination to solve problems together easily follow.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
Lewis Sheats. A friend and mentor who trusted me before I had proven myself. That bet he took on me, opened the door to a new world. I owe him everything. Instead of teaching me he put me in front of people way further in their journeys at an early stage. That’s how I learned from the best before having any kind of accomplishments. I owe him for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: casalu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkcasalu/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielgonzalezorta/
Image Credits
Irma Fragkogianni – Matsa from Endeavor Miami
