We recently connected with Valeria Gonzalez and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Valeria, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
In 2021 after graduating high school I was set to go to college continue to study a conventional practice while still having my business as a side project. I spent my first semester studying business, working for someone else’s dream while still wanting more for myself. After that first semester I decided to leave college and enroll myself into culinary school. My small business only continued to grow the more time I dedicated to it. So the following month after leaving college I left my job and decided to continue to work and develop my dream.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Id like to think that although there are many people in the same industry as I am, I have a spacial place in it. From the types of the relationships I build with my customers, to my style of work. It is easy to look around and compare your work to others or to create something you think others want to see instead of what you actually want to create. When you create for yourself, it’s easy to create with much love and it will clearly reflect in your work. By continuing to create and develop my own style, the people around started to recognize my work with only seeing a picture of my work. You will never regret creating with love and I believe it will only help you.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
An old school mentality when in business is to keep all your secrets to yourself and not share tips and tricks. I thought that if I had shared where I bought my products, or shared a recipe someone could have a one up on me or that I would no longer have something that would set me apart. But I realized that by doing that i was only closing myself off to growing. When I started there was so many things I wish I knew now. So when people reach out and ask for advice or help I always try to help as much as I can because I wish I had the help when I had started. My culinary teacher taught me that by sharing all you know, you have nothing to loose and everything to gain. A phrase in Spanish I quote often is “El sol brilla para todos” which translates to “the sun shines for everyone” and it’s true! Everyone has their own special light they bring to their own space.
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