Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to JD Gonzales. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
JD, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
On March 6, 2015 I was working as a police officer in Central California. I was responding to an emergency call when my patrol car was broadsided (T-boned) in a major intersection by an SUV traveling 55 mph. The impact broke my pelvis on each side, several vertebrae, numerous ribs, collapsed lung, etc. I was hospitalized in critical condition where I remained for over a month. My wife was six months pregnant with our first biological child at the time (we also have an adopted daughter) and our lives really changed that night. My faith in God was definitely strengthened and I’m grateful to be alive, despite the pain I still deal with. I had to medically retire from the police department as a result of the accident.
While I rehabilitated during the summer of 2015 and into 2016, I witnessed an anti-police rhetoric developing across our country. I was very disheartened to see the men and women in Blue who put their lives on the line being demonized in the media. Many of my California law enforcement friends kept me apprised of the shift that was occurring including officers being spit on, given the middle finger, and being cursed at on a daily basis. I also noticed that California government leaders were making policies that were very soft on crime. For the first time in years I saw crime rates spiking and fewer consequences for offenders. In 2018, my wife and I moved our family to Texas where we currently reside.
Upon arriving in Texas, I noticed that when people found out I was from California they were immediately suspicious/concerned. Texans are very friendly and welcoming people, however, they read the news about the mass exodus of people from California. (Six million residents have left in the last 10 years with 700k having left in just the last two years alone.) They’re concerned about California “refugees” bringing ideology into Texas that has harmed California. I decided to create my organization, CalGone, for people who are leaving California for a fresh start in different states. CalGone isn’t for people who hate California…it’s for people who are just disappointed in California’s policies that seem to be ruining the state. Crime is skyrocketing, homelessness is skyrocketing, housing prices are skyrocketing. It’s very sad. I should note that as late at 2014 I was a Democrat and voted for President Obama. However, as Elon Musk said about himself, I didn’t leave the Left…the Left left me. I want CalGone to be a brand that signifies a belief in law and order, personal responsibility, and Christian values (whether you’re a Christian or not). My purpose is to be the face of the organization and a good example.
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 make content for Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CalGoneGroup and two weeks ago I started making videos on Youtube @calgone5678 and Tiktok @realcalgone. I also operate a website https://calgone.com where I sell merchandise like t-shirts, hats, and mugs.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
My best skill is being a good communicator. My major at Cal State University Northridge was Communications and I think it’s key to any business. A crucial aspect of communication is another one of my best skills – being a good listener. I’ve found that many people in conversation are only waiting for their turn to talk. They often aren’t actually listening to what the other person is saying. This leaves a situation where two people can have an entire conversation and walk away without learning anything. People should always assume that they can learn something from the person they’re talking to. My advice is: When someone is talking to you, get in the habit of repeating back to the person what they just told you and ask the person if you summarized them correctly. This not only ensures that you understood them but it also assures the other person that they were heard. When a person feels heard they feel appreciated and will usually reciprocate by listening to you as well.
My third best skill used in business is remembering to use a person’s name. Prior to becoming a police officer, I worked as an executive in the Loss Prevention/Asset Protection sector. I worked for corporations including Macy’s, Safeway/Vons, and The Sports Authority. During that time, I gave seminars regarding the importance of using a person’s name. Names are very important to people. It’s one of the first things parents give their children. Think of the power in that. It’s also why people give nicknames or gang members give names to each other. People hold a portion of their identity in their name. A large part of my job was conducting investigations on employees who stole from the company I worked for. I made it a point to memorize the names of as many employees as I could and to use their names in conversation. This did one of two things: The employees who were honest (not stealing) felt appreciated by the fact that I knew their name. They felt valued. However, dishonest employees often became paranoid due to their guilt. They thought to themselves, “Why does the Loss Prevention investigator know my name?? He must be investigating me!” Hopefully something as simple as using a name changed their behavior for the better. Using names is a very effective tool in any business.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My dad has been the most helpful in developing my communication skills. My dad, Dave Gonzales, has been a strong influence in television news for over 30 years in Southern California. Most of that career was anchoring the noon and 2:00 p.m. broadcasts at Channel 9 KCAL but most recently he anchored the evening news at KBAK Fox58 in Bakersfield. During that time, I enjoyed watching my dad demonstrate professionalism by providing much needed information to and about the community five days a week. I also often received feedback from the Hispanic community regarding how important it was to see a person of color represented in a prestigious role. While he retired last year, I still call my dad for advice in all matters of life, from politics to business and even personal issues. He is definitely a valuable asset for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://calgone.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalGoneGroup
- Youtube: @calgone5678
- Other: Tiktok @realcalgone
