Meet Greg Gately

 

We were lucky to catch up with Greg Gately recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Greg with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

Growing up, I found out at an early age that nothing would be handled to me in life. This helped me developed an uncompromising will to succeed at whatever I put my mind to. Being the youngest of 7 children, all of my siblings went to the same middle school that was across the street from our house, except for me. I was invited to attend the middle school that had an honors program, that was 2 miles away. I would wake up 2 hours early and walk to school, balancing projects in my hands and carrying a heavy backpack. I developed a passion for the sport of basketball, but I was always the smallest person on the court playing. This didn’t stop me from being one of the best players in my city, eventually playing on the high school team. I credit this relentless work ethic to my mother, who is a first generation immigrant from the Philippines that did very well for herself. I never looked around and complained that life wasn’t fair, or something was too hard to achieve, and most of all I never knew how to give up.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

In 2022 I brought the first Kava Bar to the New England region, despite the backlash from the local and state government. I fought hard outside of court to bring the Polynesian culture to New Hampshire, by opening a space that adults in the community could enjoy a bar atmosphere without consuming alcohol. I frequently get customers thank me for opening this place and how its changed their lives and helps them with their journey of getting/staying sober from alcohol. We have the most unique bar in the region, with the media attracted to my story of kava- we have been showcased on CBS Boston news and are airing on an episode of New England Perspective which is a traveling show that does segments on a variety of restaurants. I’m opening my second bar after 2 years of opening my first, making this the first kava bar in the state of Massachusetts. The bar will be located in Worcester, which is where I went to college so its a special location that holds sentimental value. The week that my contractors finished building out the bar, my brother Kevin who was born in Worcester, tragically passed away in a car accident- so this bar will be dedicated to his memory. My goal is to establish kava in the New England region, by opening locations in all major cities from Maine to Rhode Island.

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?

Persistence- I’m faced with numerous challenges every day many of them can be viewed at negative experiences but my perspective each experience are stepping stones that help me evolve and adapt in the face of adversity.

Optimism- This helps fuel my entrepreneurial spirit everyday. Negative thinking can bring down my vibe as a leader and this isn’t the right energy to motivate my team. Optimism keeps my creative energy flowing allowing me to see possibilities where others see limitations. It also boosts team morale and creates a positive work environment where employees feel motivated to put their best foot forward.

Relationship Building- Building strong relationships with customers, employees, partners, and the broader community is crucial. Genuine connections foster trust, loyalty, and collaboration. These relationships not only help attract and retain customers but also provide a valuable support network. Building strong relationships, I have been able to network with likeminded individuals that share the same vision of success as me.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I am a strong believer that investing time and effort into your body and mind will help everything in your business life. Everyday I spend an hour working out and spending time in a sauna- this helps me clear my mind. I would be completely overwhelmed if I didn’t apply this to my day. I’m also a man who applies faith to my day, I am grateful for my life everyday and I thank God for my blessings. When I focus on me and my problems its overwhelming, so I try to take a step back and focus on the big picture of life which is doing what is best for everyone around me. Practicing that act of gratefulness can be an excellent stress management tool.

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