HOMETOWN PRIDE
I’m proud to be Mexican. No question, that country had a strong influence on who I am today. The Mexican people appreciate life and value humor, family, and friendship. That’s what I’m all about too.
MOMMA KNOWS BEST
My mom’s two rules: smile and work hard. I feel like there’s a lot wrapped in those two things.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AT, SAY, AGE 10?
I was a super high-energy, happy kid with a huge imagination. My brother and I were always up for adventures.
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I grew up in Mexico City and moved to Costa Rica during middle school. I dove right into the new culture and into the outdoor world Costa Rica offered: rafting, waterfall rappelling, mountain biking…
SOUNDS EXHAUSTING. HOW DID THIS ENVIRONMENT SHAPE YOU?
I’m proud to be Mexican. No question, that country had a strong influence on who I am today. The Mexican people appreciate life and value humor, family, and friendship. That’s what I’m all about too.
WHAT EARLY LESSONS DID YOU GET FROM YOUR PARENTS?
My mom’s two rules: smile and work hard. I feel like there’s a lot wrapped in those two things.
WHAT PAST WORK HAVE YOU DONE THAT HELPS INFORM YOUR WORK AT VMG?
I ran corporate development and expansion for Make It Nice, a restaurant holding company for some of the world’s best restaurants. I got to really understand what went into creating and building a moat around a brand to expand and create a leading hospitality company. I then joined a young company called Common House, which builds members clubs in growth markets. I was in the trenches with a driven team riding the startup rollercoaster and learned what it takes to grow a company at that stage and push growth forward. I think the combination of these experiences has given me the ability to empathize with the challenges founders face as well as better understand the operational aspects of our investments.
WHAT DO YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL PARTNERS HAVE IN COMMON?
For founders, their brand is their entire universe. Like a jeweler, they look at their “gem” from different angles, including financial, marketing and cultural perspectives. They share grit and an almost obsessive optimism that wills dreams into reality. I find these qualities contagious and exhilarating.
HOW SO?
When we partner with a new brand, we basically hop on the boat they’ve built and begin to row towards the same goal – this push to succeed, to accomplish the same goals and to continue creating and building on a dream is extremely exciting.
SOUNDS LIKE YOU FOUND A PERFECT ADVENTURE.
Working hard and smiling!
