Meet Gabriel Sarduy: Marketing Major & Creative Influencer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gabriel Sarduy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gabriel, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking is something that has always come easy to me. Whether its taking a risk in my work life or personal life iv never had a fear of taking risk. The fear was always more so of failure. Without failure or tragedy we tend to put ourselves in a box that I like to call the “unknown”. How do you know what heartache is if you’ve never experienced it? It can be dangerous to not experience failure or tragedy and the effects it can have on how you handle situations. Growing up as the youngest in my family I would say I had to grow up pretty fast. My parents divorced when I was 5 years old and I could remember seeing and feeling the pain my mom went through. As a single mother, she took many risk to make sure that me and my siblings where secure in what we needed to be successful mentally and physically. I feel that she instilled that strength and power in me. As an adult, when taking risk I am equipped with how I handle the outcome, good or bad. I think it is important to take risk and experience the different highs and lows of what it brings. Failure is OK and it builds character. I also believe that risk taking ties hand in hand with change. Although I am not a big fan of change iv learned that change is essential to growing. If there’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, or a place you’ve always wanted to go to, take the risk and do it! GO! Go back to school, book that flight, apply for that job, start that business, TAKE THAT RISK!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am currently a beauty specialist with Estee Lauder and a full time student at the University Of Houston Clear Lake. I will be graduating in May of this year with my Bachelors degree in Business Marketing and an Associates degree in Business. What sets me apart from others is my skill and work ethic. Iv always been a hard worker and have always set goals for myself. I’m always thinking about my future and what I can do to set myself up for success. I think that shows in my career and in my personal life. The sky is the limit and although it may not always be easy, a challenge is what makes success so rewarding.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I was born and raised in Houston Texas (home of Queen B and Meg The Stallion #Queens). In Houston there is a variety of art, culture, and food. An ideal weekend trip with my befriend would start off with breakfast Saturday morning at The Breakfast Club. We would enjoy some nice warm chicken and waffles and then make our way to The Secret Garden. The Secret Garden is a Instagram worthy bar that has cute drinks and cute scenery. It is very exclusive and almost hard to find, hence the name. From there we would end our day at The Museum of Fine Arts for a nice stroll through ancient art and whatever exhibition we find most interesting. Come Sunday we would wake up early, and get dolled up for Sunday Funday. We would start off with brunch at Gloria’s, there margaritas are to die for! From there we would take a pit stop to Boheme which is in the heart of Montrose. They specialize in yummy fries and great drinks as well as live music. After we have enjoyed some drinks there we would then go a few blocks down to the “Gayborhood” which is where all the fun is at. As a gay man living in Houston I can personally say Houston has one of the most epic gay scenes. No matter what gay bar or club your at you have a drink in your hand dancing to music. It is very inviting to both gay and straight people and its a guaranteed good time! From Rebar, to Crocker bar, and even Eagle, your bound to have the time of your life.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
As someone who comes from a family filled with many strong, independent, and hard working people I want to shout out the adults in my life who have had a big impact on my success. I come from a huge Colombian family who has always been rich in love and support. When one of us falls we have an army behind us lifting us up and cheering for us at the finish line. Its a beautiful thing to have, and a special one that not many people get to experience. My mother and her 3 sisters, along with her brother have all taken risk to do better and be better for their families. I see how far they have come and the amount of dedication it took for them to be successful. When I say success I don’t mean wealth, I mean success in creating a life for themselves that is worth living for. A family they adore, a home they love, friends they cherish, and experiences they will never forget. I want that…

Instagram: Gabeeeesarduy

Twitter: gabeeeesarduy

Facebook: Gabriel Sarduy

Image Credits
Photography by @Planetakarina