Gilroy
– Gustavo Ortega is making a difference in the Hispanic
community – one individual at a time – by personally guiding them.
But to do that, he had to learn the lessons of self worth.
Gilroy – Gustavo Ortega is making a difference in the Hispanic community – one individual at a time – by personally guiding them. But to do that, he had to learn the lessons of self worth.
His mother, Placida Diaz, was a strong woman. Her father died when she was 5 years old, and she eventually married an alcoholic who left her with 10 children to raise alone. She died of breast cancer, but her words of wisdom did not go with her, and neither did her spirit.
“My mother used to say ‘remember who you are and how special you are,’ ” Ortega said. “Pain made her strong, and she pushed us to study to prevent the same fate for her children.”
As results of his mother’s hard work, Ortega obtained a degree in psychology from a university in Baja California. His four brothers and five sisters also hold college degrees.
Ortega was born in Baja California where he was reared along with his siblings. After working for 13 years in the field of consulting and advising, he moved to the U.S. where he made Gilroy his home a year ago.
Opportunity brought Ortega to the United States, where he confronted many obstacles when pursuing his vocation.
“The biggest challenge is convincing individuals of their importance and value, since the mental influence that they have inherited from their parents, educational system, society and culture has robbed them of their self esteem and identity,” said Ortega from his experience of one-to-one counseling with many individuals in the community. The triumph is in restructuring a person’s belief system and values since those are the foundation from which their conduct and behavior are born, said Ortega.
When you come to a country that does not welcome you, there is a feeling of being second-class citizens, Ortega said. The people who mostly put you down are your own family members and friends, therefore it is almost impossible to succeed, he added.
As a speaker and personal consultant, Ortega is working to revolutionize the individual in an attempt to change the mindset at large. One of the ways he’s doing this is by working with the staff of businesses such as El Amigo Restaurant in Gilroy.
Upon meeting the owner, Huberto Acevedo, Ortega began to work with the employees. He began by helping them understand how important they were and how important their work is. He then went on to changing their uniforms, and developed a color-coded system for condiments and supplies.
“The seminar that he gave to our employees was great because they started to be more diligent at work,” Acevedo said. “Those who took the seminar were more aware of many things, it makes them a better person, and a better worker. More responsible,” Acevedo said. “It made us aware that we must prepare ourselves for work every single day, and never say that it cannot be done.”
Ortega helps individuals take pride in every aspect of their lives, which in turn will make them take more pride in their work.
Mary Humphrey, a Gilroy resident and customer of the restaurant, saw the outcome of Ortega’s training with the employees.
“I observed Gustavo working with the employees at El Amigo Restaurant, and I am most impressed with his ability to motivate the employees, not only with their work at the restaurant but in every aspect of their life,” said Humphrey.
Weekly meetings were held with the employees with open and honest discussion about what they wanted out of life, and how they could make choices for themselves, added Humphrey.
“Good communication skills are part of Gustavo’s program,” she said. “As a result, the managers are communicating better with the employees who in turn communicate better with the customers.”
Employee Daniel Garcia attended the weekly meetings.
“(Ortega) helped me excel as a person and how to better the environment of the restaurant,” said the waiter, who has worked in the business for four years. “I talk more with the customers because I feel more confidence in myself, and I feel more comfortable with everyone.”
Acevedo understands the concept Ortega has communicated – that the quality of any business begins with the quality of its employees.
“It’s always good to have people who are prepared and motivated when they come to work,” said Acevedo. “Everyone wins.”
