We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Luis Cruz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Luis , thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism originates from my upbringing. I was raised in an environment where negativity did not exist; there was always a smile, and we always aimed to achieve what we desired. My father was an extremely cheerful person, and for him, there were never any problems—only solutions. Growing up in such an atmosphere instilled in me a strong confidence that I will always reach my goals and resolve any challenges I face, all with a smile and a positive attitude.
Being part of an inherently optimistic family has made me the person I am today, one who approaches every problem with a good attitude. I find great joy in helping others and am committed to extending my support to as many people as possible, ensuring that they too can enjoy the fruits of success.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
my name is Felipe Cruz. I am 32 years old and from Quito, Ecuador. I am a professional chef and a passionate entrepreneur. I love creating and constantly have new ideas every day. I worked for several years in high-end restaurants in Ecuador until I realized that the market and the culinary scene in Ecuador were no longer growing; it felt too small for me. That was when I decided to emigrate, thanks to the support of my parents. They allowed me to leave the country and come to Miami to study gastronomy again. I returned to school to obtain licenses and further my career, which enabled me to make a name for myself here.
I arrived in Miami as virtually an unknown and worked in several restaurants. After many years, I had the honor of becoming a chef at a restaurant in Brickell. This position allowed me to meet many people and work with great individuals, including artists.
During the pandemic, I had a brilliant idea and started venturing into the world of ghost kitchens. Being one of the pioneers in 2020, this opened many doors for me and increased my recognition. I began advising others on how to operate ghost kitchens, guiding and teaching them. Helping others has always been a core value in my life. I love providing jobs and creating a happy working environment for my team.
Another significant opportunity arose when I was invited for an interview on RCN Colombia to talk about ghost kitchens and Ecuadorian cuisine. I was honored to be named the Ambassador of Ecuadorian Gastronomy in Miami by the Tribunal and Electoral Council of Ecuador. During this interview, I was offered a position to create recipes for a TV program, which I accepted. This was in 2021, and I continue to work with the channel to this day.
Through this platform, I have managed to showcase Ecuadorian cuisine to audiences worldwide, including Colombia, Australia, Venezuela, Germany, and many other countries. This exposure has also increased my visibility on social media, leading to collaborations with various brands from Ecuador and Colombia.
All of this culminated in discovering my passion for working with social media, leading me to create a content creation and advertising agency called Reaction Miami, which I founded with my wife. We now manage the advertising for 32 businesses in South Florida and create content for various artists. This journey has cemented my reputation as an entrepreneur who loves generating employment and helping others. I consider myself a driven entrepreneur who never stays still and is always eager to help.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, the three most impactful qualities and skills have been resilience, creativity, and the ability to seize opportunities.
1. Resilience: Growing up in a positive and solution-oriented environment, I learned early on the importance of staying optimistic and persistent. Moving to a new country and starting from scratch required a great deal of resilience. My advice to those early in their journey is to embrace challenges as learning experiences. Cultivate a positive mindset and always look for solutions rather than dwelling on problems.
2. Creativity: As a chef and entrepreneur, creativity has been at the heart of my success. From developing innovative dishes to pioneering ghost kitchens, creativity has allowed me to stand out. For those starting out, I recommend immersing yourself in your field, staying curious, and continuously experimenting with new ideas. Don’t be afraid to take risks and think outside the box.
3. Networking and Building Relationships: Effective networking has been crucial in my journey, from working in high-end restaurants to becoming a television presenter. Building strong relationships and being open to new connections has opened many doors for me. For those early in their career, focus on creating genuine connections with others in your industry. Attend events, join professional groups, and engage with people who inspire you. Always approach networking with a mindset of mutual benefit and support.
By developing resilience, nurturing creativity, and building strong networks, you can create a solid foundation for your career. These qualities have been instrumental in my journey, and I believe they can greatly benefit anyone starting out
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Definitely, something that impacted my life was the moment when my parents made the decision to support me and send me out of my comfort zone in Ecuador to another country. Although they fulfilled all my wishes at that time for me to come to Miami, there was a moment when my father decided to completely cut off my financial support, including rent and everything else. He withdrew all support from me. That moment made me feel the necessity to learn to live on my own. Today, now that my father is no longer with us because he passed away, I feel that I always have to thank him because I believe if he had never done that, I would never have been able to take off and become self-reliant with all my studies. It was a crucial moment for me to learn that I could live on my own and not continue depending on my parents. I am grateful to him. So, thank you, Dad, up there in heaven.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chef_felipecruz?igsh=cmhkbG92ZnhxcXBw&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/felipecruznoboa?mibextid=LQQJ4d
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
