Meet Pietro Estrada

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pietro Estrada. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Pietro , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I believe my work ethic comes from my family, especially my mom, whom I’ve seen as a hard worker since I was a small kid. My first memories are of accompanying her sometimes to work at the small office supplies shop she had with her sisters. I would sit behind the counter and watch her work and take care of incoming clients. Then I would be right by her side when she first opened her Art Restoration Lab and later, Arte La Fabrica (her first art gallery). I wouldn’t dare touch anything without her permission, but I could see that everything needed to be taken care of and placed in the art gallery or clients’ homes in the most perfect manner possible. There was no space for mistakes.

Then my very own trial came. I started working when I was 15 years old, mostly during vacations, at a coffee shop where I became a barista. (Later, I couldn’t leave the friends I had made there and continued working after school with my parents’ permission and the school’s knowledge.)

It was one of the toughest challenges I had during my teenage years. To be part of the barista team, you had to pass daily exams for about a month, and you could only get A+ every day. If you didn’t, you were out. That was my first experience with perfection and discipline. I worked there for three years until it was time to move forward to the School of Architecture.

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?

I’m an architect with an MBA, and I’m currently the operational manager for Piegatto, a Guatemalan design and architecture firm that designs and manufactures contemporary luxury furniture. Part of my work focuses on the administrative processes of the company, specifically in finances and in the production of our furniture. I also develop furniture and lighting designs and work as an architect for the company on certain specific projects.
With my wife, Analuz, we co-founded our own design studio, Luz y Piedra, in which we develop design accessories and art sculptures.

Every day in my work is different. Sometimes I do very specific administrative tasks; other times, my mind explodes with creativity and enters a constructive-like state of mind in which everything is full of possibilities. Sometimes everything and everyone drains my energy, and I run out of focus—haha! But that’s how it is: a rollercoaster that is always going upwards, with some downhills from time to time, but keeping focus and knowing that the uphills will always be ready to be climbed again to continue the upward trend.

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?

Mistakes
Learn from them. Recognize what you did and what you could do better. Also learn from the mistakes of those around you—your parents, friends, and relatives. Their paths may be different from yours, but there’s always something to gain from their experiences. When you make a habit of collecting and reviewing both your own and others’ mistakes, and develop the self-awareness to spot them in your day-to-day life, you’ll become like an invincible machine that’s constantly improving.

Awareness of Time
Time flies—it really does. Be conscious of it and use it to your benefit. Don’t get stuck in the past. Accept what’s been done, and if there’s something you truly wish to accomplish, plan for it. Many people let time slip by dwelling on regrets or trying to reclaim moments that won’t return. The only real tools you have today are your mind, body, and speech—use them in the present to create the future you want.

Surround Yourself With the Right People
Get closer to like-minded individuals, and distance yourself from those who move in the opposite direction. You may feel disappointed from time to time—realizing that friends or even family members may not share your mindset. But even then, keep your head high, your shoulders back, and your posture strong so you stay focused. Even a short conversation with someone who thinks like you can feel like a refreshing, nourishing fruit for the mind.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

I believe that my biggest area of growth has been in personal development and mental well-being. To do things right and be of benefit to others, your mind needs to be sharp and focused. I’ve stumbled at times, but I recognize that I’m on the right track to accomplish what I set out to pursue. At the top of the list, always, is the non-negotiable goal: to be happy.

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