Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to RO Gonzalez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, RO thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
7 years ago I was on top of South Mountain about to pull the trigger on ending my life because I thought I couldn’t handle my situation anymore and life in general. I had just got everything stolen from my computer repair shop. Inventory, customers phones, laptops, personal computers, tablets etc. all while visiting my daughter in Texas. I had stayed an extra 2 months to help my ex-wife take care of my youngest son while she recovered from surgery. I come back and am devastated from what i walked into that day. I just couldn’t believe my eyes. To make a long story short, I had to replace my customer’s items and repay my suppliers the inventory that was stolen which left me penniless. Everything I had worked so hard for the last 8 yrs was gone. One day i decided I was gonna go end my life so i didn’t have to start over again. The day I wanted to end my life is the day i found my WHY and PURPOSE in life. For whatever reason only the man above knows is right when i was going to pull the trigger, my daughter calls me. She asked me “Dad you want to hear some good news?”. I replied any news is good news baby. She replied, “You’re going to have a grandson!” I replied, “Let me call you back later, this is Awesome news. Congratulations Baby!” After I hung up, I started balling and I start walking back down the mountain. The phone the first thing that came to my mind was, what kind of legacy am i going to leave my grandson if I pull this trigger. That is when i realized my WHY? second thing was how can I help keep other Veterans from pulling the trigger or at least help them find the resources needed to get the help they need in a time of need/crisis’s, MY PURPOSE. That’s when it all clicked on why I had been what i have been through in life to be able to connect with Veterans in their most desperate time of need, that I have already been there and the list is long. Divorce, Homeless, Drug Addict, DUI, jail time,etc etc.
When i got back to the place I was staying, I started thinking of how and what kind of resources could i come up with that will make it impactful to help Veterans. The one thing i realized is when we (Veterans) get together we are more likely to open up to another Veteran than anyone else that understands us and have been in our shoes and what we are going through. This is when i started volunteering in the Veteran Community and realizing what each non profit organization brings to the table and how their roles can play in the Veteran Community. What i figured out was no one is connecting Veteran together as in finding out what their story is about and what kind of resources they may need to better themselves. Alot of organizations bring Veterans together but how are they helping them with their struggles that they are ashamed or embarrassed to talk about. Alot of these organizations keep to themselves and do not work together as a unit/team. Some organizations only help a certain type of Veteran etc. etc. My mission is to bring everyone (Veterans, non profits,community resources) together to be one team/unit. Joint operations is what we call it in the military.
So to end this since 2018 when i started this journey, we have connected with over 10500 Veterans with social events, veteran resource breakfast, coffee connections, hygiene kits, toys for veteran children during Christmas time, food boxes, clothes for employment opportunities and so much more. It has been an Awesome 4 years so far but we haven’t even started making an impact yet. there is a whole lot more we want to accomplish in the next 2-3 years. A Veteran Resource Center for one with it being a one stop shop.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
USMC Veteran 1987-1991
Food Service Specialist (Cook)
Valors Veterans Community AZ
“Connecting Veterans with Veterans and Resources”
Always looking to connect with a Veteran living in AZ that wants to better themselves or looking for resources that will help them move forward with their progress. (employment,education or social skills)
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Facebook Live is what helped us get the traction needed to get more Veterans involved. Showing Veterans what they are missing out on and wanting to take part in something exclusive to Veterans and their family members or friends. Showing what fun everyone is having is huge and impactful. The best social media tool you have at the tip of your fingers.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Welcome Wednesdays every Wednesday we acknowledge all the new members that join the Facebook group and post an invite to come out to our events. We also have a meet and greet once a month as well at our location.
Contact Info:
- Website: valorsveteranscommunityaz.org
- Instagram: vvcaztempe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VVCAZ
- Linkedin: https://ww.linkedin.com/company/valors-veterans-community-az/?viewAsMember=true
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