We recently connected with Gonzalo De La Cruz and have shared our conversation below.

Gonzalo , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I have been woodturning almost 4 yrs,
I’ve told partial story to what I am about to say in past interviews
I come from a different lifestyle as far as what I have done and still do part time these days.
I’ve been tattooing for about 27 yrs now.
I am also a recovering alcoholic of almost 5 yrs now.
My line of work as a tattoo artist and prior I lived hard and fast.
I rode high for many yrs till the wheels fell off.
I came to recovery due to hitting rock bottom.
Lost pretty much everything
Relationships,some close friends.. etc.
Coming out of the fog from the hospital to survive and stay sober was not easy.
Moving forward.
Idle hands is what I deal with,
I found Woodturning through a rough patch of trying to figure out what to do to occupy my time in a more productive artistic way to express myself , a year and a half later I opened up my business of woodturning and art LLC
One of a kind pieces with pyrography art on some and others just for decorative collections, most functional from bowls to vases , platters and so on,
I’m still learning every day,
From keeping level headed and running my business from struggles financially to good.
I keep my head up high to not let myself fall.
Moving forward.
I am in hopes as I say to some, “hopes are just a set up for disappointment “ which can be true for the most part
I’d like to be successful and keep growing with the time I have left in this life I’ve used and abused.
I don’t expect to be rich, but I’d love to be comfortable with all that I do and my main supporter(s) to keep and help me with all that I push,
As customers and friends,
They are important to me
Change is ahead in a good way to finally plant my seed for good and a long stay
Took long enough.
Let’s just say I’d like to continue leaving people, clients with a smile and something they can hold on to and hand down through generations.
A thought to most that there is change if you really want it.
I now stand proud for what I have done to get where I am at this moment and time.
Not always easy,
Anyone can do it if they put their heart and mind into it.
My mission here is to keep pushing forward on out.
Thank you to all my family, brothers , sisters , friends and supporters

Gonzalo , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I might of answered the question too early on the prior question ,
So as I was brought back with my family to begin my recovery.
Anger and discouragement sat very heavy with me
After about 25 yrs or more of alcohol abuse and other things.
I had lost all I loved at that time and moment.
My little sister had mentioned to me to look stuff up online to find something that I can occupy my time with to help with my immediate moment of health.
I did.. I found a woodlathe online, did research to see what they did, YouTube and what not,
I got one but I was still to weak to move around and do much without falling. Time went by and I was finally able to be more mobile.
I tried it and it sparked the need to learn it.
Signed up for a class at rockler of ontario and that’s how I met my immediate fellow club Woodturner friend Jim,
He was my instructor
I moved forward from that point eager to learn more.
I was dedicated and determined to learn this and get at least somewhat good.
I wanted to decorate the homes of people, gift a craft ,
Still at the moment and time I was a full time tattoo artist, but the place I was at was carrying my weight of early sobriety with not much understanding of what I was dealing with, so I left and found other places to work.
I put 80% of my energy into Woodturning after opening up my business.
A whole lot of discipline and learning, meaning my approach with life in general, clients, customers and so on.
Learning to behave on a more mental positive way considering the tattoo life gave me plenty of freedom of speech so to say haha,
I started doing craft shows, farmers markets, online exposure of my works. Word of mouth and what not.
My services provide a smile on one’s face when they pick up one of my items.
Taking it home with them and seeing them later to only tell me how much they enjoy what I made out of a block or log of wood.
Feels good right?
I Try to educate my clients with what knowledge I have and can provide for them to understand what it is I’m doing and what they are taking home, aftercare and so on.
I let them know they are always welcomed to call or stop by the business to look , pick or see what’s going on there. Open doors to the public
Woodturning and art falls into the obvious of Woodturning, the art came along with being a tattoo artist, I can draw and burn or carve a design on my work.
Give it a look on my Instagram: mrlatheznknivez
I do have a fair amount of a personal following. I don’t do numbers on social media. Like look at me I have 20k followers.
I don’t pay for People to follow me.
Call it what you want, I’m just being real.
You want to check out my work? Please do so and feel free to leave me a message.
Here’s to the end of this part,
I’m proud to say for once that I am a grumpier happy person hahaha,
Hey I’m getting older, I’m allowed to
If I don’t make fun of you? Then we aren’t friends

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

So attending markets , craft shows have been really awesome for me, I get to meet all types of different people, from rude, lowball, to the most kind and generous.
Some like to ask for the story behind what I do and why,
I tell them as much as I feel comfortable with them knowing without losing attention.
I’m not always the most approachable person, if you send me in person you would have somewhat of an idea
Those clients that get and understand my vision are the absolute best.,

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

So growing up the way I did had me in a vocal way that most did not understand unless they were sailing the same seas.
Outspoken , rude with honesty that most can’t handle, from kicking customers out of the tattoo shop , you name it.
To having to take a business course with my LLC company tailor brands. Haha
They gave me a 6 week course and I had to hit a major reset button in approach to on how I spoke to people.
I’ll tell you this., it was not easy biting my tongue and well you get the point
I now can hold a conversation in a proper way with most at least.
Not everyone gets my humor.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Mrlatheznknivez.site
• Instagram: @Mrlatheznknivez
• Facebook: Woodturning and art LLC
• Youtube: Mrlatheznknivez

Image Credits

Juan castellanos
Scott