Meet Gilberto Bahena

We recently connected with Gilberto Bahena and have shared our conversation below.

Gilberto, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

I was born in Mexico and raised in Chicago, so I’ve always been surrounded by resilient hardworking people. From the determined, never-give-up spirit of the Hispanic community to the gritty, blue-collar workers with broad shoulders and an unwavering work ethic, toughness and perseverance have been ingrained in me from an early age.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’ve spent nearly half of my life in the service industry, starting from washing dishes to working in front of house, line cooking, and eventually becoming a sous chef. Now at 29, I made a pivotal leap at 27 when I decided to take the plunge and run my own business. Before quitting my job, I had the opportunity to work as a Quality Control Manager at a clinic. The experience helped me realize that not only was I skilled in the food industry, but I was also capable of applying those skills to areas like logistics and operations in a corporate environment. This newfound confidence pushed me to take the next step.

This upcoming May will make 2 years I’ve been running my business. We’ve been able to consistently host pop-up events Tuesday through Saturday, cater private events, and even participate in a couple festivals. What excites me most is the opportunity to offer affordable, approachable food with a unique twist inspired by my Mexican heritage. My ultimate vision is to run Milo’s with a similar efficiency of a Taco Bell; made with fresh food and be employee owned. Eventually to grow to a point where we can franchise and expand.

I’m passionate about creating a space where food brings people together without hurting anyone’s pockets.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the 3 qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are learning how to embrace failure, overcoming the fear of failure and embracing the process. First and foremost, learning how to take a loss was crucial. Failure is inevitable, but it’s how you respond to it that matters. Instead of running away or hiding, I learned to face it head-on, learn from it, and find ways to try again.

The second quality is overcoming the fear of failure. It’s always going to be there, but you let it paralyze you. You have to push past that fear and keep moving forward.

Lastly, embracing the process is key. Don’t compare your journey to others because everyone’s timeline is different. As long as you keep working, stay consistent, and don’t give up- even when doubts creep in- you’ll get to where you’re meant to be. There will be ups and downs along the way, but take time to appreciate both. The lows don’t last forever, and when you’re high, savor it more because you’ll remember the hard times that led to that moment.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m always looking to connect with individuals who share similar mindset- entrepreneurs and business owners who understand that we are leaders in our communities. We’re not just here to profit, but to help grow and uplift those around us. If you’re someone who values collaboration, community impact, and making a difference, I’d love to connect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://milos.market
• Instagram: @milosmarket
• Linkedin: Gilberto Bahena
• Yelp: Milo’s Market

Image Credits

@annieleecarroll (Instagram) for the personal shot.
@notjunkfood (Instagram) for the food shot.