We were lucky to catch up with Julio Rodriguez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Julio, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

That’s a question I’ve seen answered time and again, but the most profound example comes from my own family history. My grandfather’s journey perfectly illustrates the core ingredients of success: clear vision, relentless hard work, unwavering belief, and the vital support of a strong community, especially family.

He started with what many would consider a humble beginning—just a room in his house, filled with letters and an insatiable desire to be a part of the professional growth of his community. He saw a need, and instead of simply enrolling in an existing community college, he envisioned a new way of learning. He didn’t just adapt to what was available; he innovated, meticulously crafting his own unique curriculum, different from anything else out there.

Then came the grind: finding the resources, piecing together the funding, and tirelessly working to transform his idea into a tangible reality. It wasn’t overnight. It took years of unwavering focus on his main goal. But because he had that vision, that drive, and the steadfast support of his family cheering him on, his endeavor blossomed. What began as an idea in a spare room eventually became the most successful community college in the city.

His story is a powerful testament to the fact that while a good idea might spark the initial flame, it’s the dedication to making it real that truly fuels the fire of success. Anyone can have a brilliant concept, but not everyone is willing to put in the hard work, overcome the obstacles, and stay committed to their goals. That’s the difference, and that’s what my grandfather taught me about what it truly takes to be successful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Julio Rodriguez, and my journey in marketing is a story that spans continents, dives into diverse industries, and ultimately, has brought me to my true passion: the hospitality sector. With over a decade of experience, my career is a testament to adapting, thinking strategically, and relentlessly pursuing what I love.

My marketing odyssey began in Maracaibo, Venezuela, where I cut my teeth in event marketing for the formidable Polar beer brand. “That was my immersion into the power of experiential marketing,” I recall. “We saw firsthand how events and POP (point-of-purchase) strategies could dramatically increase sales for Polar and other alcohol brands.”

Life then led me to Chile in 2014, where, surprisingly, my path initially detoured into the restaurant world—a familiar territory, having started as a dishwasher at 14 in Weston, Florida, after leaving Venezuela in 2002. This early exposure to hospitality, even in its most fundamental form, clearly left a lasting impression. After a year, I landed an opportunity at a small marketing agency, where I honed skills in sales, strategy, and even some HTML5 coding.

My time in Chile was marked by collaborations with an impressive roster of global brands: Coca-Cola, Shell, KitKat, Pizza Hut, and Luxottica, along with numerous banks and financial service companies. Yet, through it all, the restaurant and hospitality sector consistently reappeared, drawing me in. “I always fell in love with restaurant and hospitality services,” I reflect, highlighting a deep-seated passion that would eventually define my professional purpose.

The global shifts of 2020 brought me back to the US, where another pivotal moment awaited. I joined a boutique agency in Miami, owned by the wife of my good friend, Alberto Betancourt. Here, working specifically with hospitality clients, I had an epiphany: “In that moment, I realized hospitality is going to be my plan of life.” I dedicated myself to helping these clients thrive, and for three years, my team and I meticulously developed strategies to bring more new customers to their tables.

That intensive period of development culminated in the launch of Spoons Agency, a marketing agency built specifically for restaurants. In just two years, Spoons Agency has achieved remarkable success, boasting over 20,000 new customers seated for our clients. “We’ve been part of record-breaking sales days for every restaurant we’ve partnered with,” I proudly state. Now, with a team of over 10 dedicated professionals, Spoons Agency continues to grow, driven by my core philosophy: “If you do the things right and you are an honest person, the success is going to be with you always.”

My journey is a powerful narrative of following your passion, adapting to change, and building something truly impactful from the ground up.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

It really boils down to three core principles I live by, especially with my clients and the new people I meet: transparency, loyalty, and unwavering support.

First off, transparency has been non-negotiable. I believe in telling clients what they need to hear, whether it’s good news or tough realities. Sometimes, that means delivering information they might not want to hear, but it’s always with their best interest in mind. This honesty, right from the start, builds a foundation of trust that’s incredibly hard to shake.

But transparency alone isn’t enough. The most important thing for me is being fiercely loyal to my clients. I see their journey as my journey. That means always being there to support them in every new endeavor they want to create, celebrating their wins as if they were my own. And crucially, when things inevitably go wrong—because in business, they sometimes do—my priority is finding solutions, quickly and efficiently, so we can get back on track as fast as possible.

My clients at Spoons Agency are incredibly grateful for this approach, and I think it’s because they genuinely feel we have their back. They know their goals are our goals, and that we’re a strong team because we’re in it together. That feeling of shared purpose and unwavering support, especially when facing challenges, is what I believe has truly cemented my reputation in the market.

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

For Spoons Agency, the best source of new clients isn’t found in traditional outreach or aggressive sales tactics. Instead, it’s something far more powerful and organic: the undeniable results we deliver for our existing clients.

We don’t actively chase new business; frankly, new clients find us because our performance speaks for itself. When you consistently generate over 20,000 new visitors for restaurants each year, achieve more than a 40% open rate on email marketing campaigns, and drive a 14% conversion rate from Google Ads, that kind of success becomes the most compelling advertisement imaginable.

These tangible metrics, combined with the comprehensive strategies we implement, create a powerful magnet for businesses seeking real growth. Our results are out there, publicly showcasing what Spoons Agency can do, and that’s precisely what drives our continued growth year after year.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.spoons.agency
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spoons-agency/