Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Giovanni Burgos. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Giovanni, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
Taking a Risk: Turning Loss into Opportunity
Taking risks isn’t just something I do in business—it’s something life has forced me to do. One of the biggest turning points in my journey happened on December 21st, 2023 at 5 in the morning, just days before Christmas.
That was the day my house burned down.
By the grace of God, my wife, my two babies, and I made it out alive. That’s something I will never stop being thankful for. But in that moment, we lost everything—our home, our belongings, the life we had built up to that point. Waking up to flames and realizing that everything was gone just like that—it was devastating.
But that moment also changed me. It made me see life differently. It made me realize that if everything can be taken away in an instant, then playing it safe is an illusion. If I was going to rebuild, I was going to do it on my terms.
That’s when I committed to taking risks—not just in business, but in everything I do. I went all in on Walls & Halls Gallery, betting on emerging artists and launching the All City Tour when most people told me it was too ambitious. I took another leap with “Somewhere Near”, creating a hidden speakeasy behind a bakery because I believed in designing experiences that people would never forget.
I bet on myself because I had no choice. The safe route was gone. The only way was forward.
And looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Because when you’ve already lost everything, you stop being afraid of failure. The only thing that truly matters is making the most of every opportunity, every moment, and every risk worth taking.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Giovanni Burgos, and I’m an entrepreneur, creative curator, and builder—of spaces, experiences, and opportunities. My journey spans multiple industries—art, hospitality, nightlife, wellness, and construction—but at the core of everything I do is storytelling. Whether through an art exhibition, a hidden speakeasy, or a beautifully designed space, my goal is always to create something memorable.
I started Walls & Halls Gallery as a way to uplift emerging and underrepresented artists. I saw so much talent in the art world that wasn’t getting the visibility it deserved, so I wanted to build a space where art wasn’t just displayed—it was experienced. That vision led to the All City Tour, an ambitious project bringing pop-up art exhibitions to all five boroughs of NYC, inspired by the way street artists make their mark across the city. More recently, I launched Walls & Halls Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to cleaning up graffiti-heavy areas and replacing them with large-scale, impactful murals. It’s about transforming spaces and reclaiming them for the community.
My background in nightlife and events has also shaped my approach to creating unique experiences. That passion eventually led me to hospitality, where I took the same mindset of curation and storytelling to a new level. With “Somewhere Near”, a speakeasy hidden behind a bakery, I wanted to create a space that felt immersive and unexpected—a place that people would remember long after they left.
Beyond hospitality and art, I’ve learned the importance of creating spaces that not only bring people together but also contribute to a sense of well-being. Whether in design, atmosphere, or the overall experience, I believe in curating environments that elevate how people feel.
My experience in construction has played a significant role in bringing these visions to life, allowing me to create spaces that aren’t just visually appealing but built with purpose and intention.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend creativity with business, art with experience, and vision with execution. I don’t just start businesses—I build movements. Whether through a mural, a hidden speakeasy, or a public art installation, everything I create is designed to inspire and connect with people.
What I’m most proud of? The risks I’ve taken. I’ve built, lost, and rebuilt again. I’ve stepped into industries where I had no roadmap, trusting my instincts to create something that resonates with people. And the journey is far from over.
At the end of the day, I want people to remember that the best ideas often come from the boldest risks. That’s what drives me—and that’s what continues to shape everything I do.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Resilience isn’t just about surviving a difficult moment—it’s about what you do next.
When my family and I lost everything in the fire, we had two choices: dwell on what was gone or build something greater. I chose to build. That moment wasn’t just a setback—it became the catalyst for everything that came after.
One of the hardest losses for me was my art collection. Art has always been a huge part of my life, and losing so many pieces that I had carefully collected over the years was devastating. But instead of letting that loss define me, it pushed me to create something even bigger.
I poured myself into Walls & Halls Gallery, not just as a curator, but as someone who deeply understands what it means to value and collect art. The gallery became more than just a space for artists to showcase their work—it became a platform for underrepresented artists to get the visibility they deserve. That vision led to the All City Tour, expanding our reach and bringing art into communities across New York.
At the same time, I took another risk and developed “Somewhere Near”, a speakeasy hidden behind a bakery. But for me, hospitality isn’t just about food and drinks—it’s about storytelling, design, and immersion. That’s why, with the help of Walls & Halls, we’ve made art a core part of Somewhere Near…. Whether through curated pieces, rotating exhibitions, or design elements that tie back to artistic expression, the goal is to seamlessly blend art into the restaurant and nightlife experience.
There were challenges at every step—building multiple businesses from scratch is never easy. But when you’ve already lost everything once, fear of failure disappears. Every obstacle became another opportunity to refine, adjust, and push forward.
Surviving the fire was about more than just making it out—it was about using that moment to rebuild with even greater purpose. Today, every brand I’ve built is a testament to that resilience. It’s proof that no matter how much you lose, as long as you’re willing to keep going, you can create something bigger than before.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Pivoting: Reinventing Myself and My Vision
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as an entrepreneur, it’s that success isn’t about sticking to one path—it’s about knowing when to pivot and evolve. My journey has been full of unexpected turns, but every pivot has led me to something greater.
Early in my career, I was heavily involved in nightlife and event promotions, bringing in headlining artists and curating some of the most exclusive events in NYC. But over time, I realized I didn’t just want to host experiences—I wanted to build them from the ground up. That was the turning point that led me to Walls & Halls Gallery. I took everything I knew about creating memorable moments and applied it to the art world, developing a gallery that didn’t just showcase art but actively created opportunities for emerging artists.
Beyond the exhibitions, Walls & Halls became a hub for community and connection. We made sure that every opening reception was more than just an event—it was a welcoming space where artists, collectors, and everyday people could come together over wine and champagne, thanks to the support of Privileged Hospitality. Those receptions weren’t just about selling art; they were about creating dialogue, making art accessible, and fostering a sense of belonging in the creative world.
Then came one of the biggest pivots of my life—the fire. Losing everything forced me to rethink everything I had built. I could have played it safe, focused on rebuilding slowly, but instead, I took a bold leap. I expanded Walls & Halls, launched the All City Tour, and made the decision to bring my passion for curation into the world of hospitality.
That’s how Somewhere Near… was born. It wasn’t just about opening a bar—it was about creating an experience, a space that blended art, design, and storytelling in a way that felt immersive. With Walls & Halls, I curated exhibitions. With Somewhere Near…, I curated an entire space. The transition made sense because, at its core, both ventures are about crafting an experience people won’t forget.
Every pivot I’ve made—from nightlife to art, from art to hospitality—has been about following the vision, not the industry. I’ve learned that when things aren’t working, when circumstances force a change, or when you feel yourself outgrowing something, the smartest move is to embrace the pivot rather than resist it.
Looking back, every shift, every redirection, every risk has led me to where I am today. And if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that I’m not afraid to pivot again when the next opportunity comes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Wallsandhallsgallery.com
- Instagram: @wallsandhalls.gallery
- Other: Co-Owner of FaceLabb Medical Spa FaceLabb.com
@facelabbGeneral Contractor at Building Construction Authority Buildingconstructionauthority.com
Founder of The Walls & Halls Foundation.
Founder of Privileged Hospitality
@privilegedhospitalityOwner of Somewhere Near…
@somewherenearnyc
Image Credits
Giovanni Burgos