Tell Us Your Story

The Power of Networking and Rising to the Occasion with Brando Guerrero

Natasha Cantrell & Anthony Lopez Season 3 Episode 10

Imagine being dropped into a classroom as a second-grader without knowing a word of English. This was Brando Guerrero's introduction to America after immigrating from Mexico – an experience that shaped his lifelong approach to challenges: sink or swim. From these humble beginnings, Brando's story unfolds as a masterclass in resilience, transformation, and the power of betting on yourself.

His journey takes unexpected turns as he shares how he evolved from a bullied outsider to team captain, from computer science dropout to communications graduate, and ultimately from corporate executive to proud business owner. What makes Brando's story particularly compelling is his consistent ability to reinvent himself while building meaningful connections in every community he joins. His networking prowess led him to a fateful interview where, when asked about failure, his bold response – "I have never failed because failure is not learning from experience" – launched a 17-year corporate career.

The most powerful moment comes when Brando reflects on his definition of success. After achieving corporate status and traveling to conferences in Hawaii, he realized something was missing. The birth of his son in March 2020, just before pandemic lockdowns, triggered a profound reprioritization. Today, as owner of Made in the Shade NorCal, Brando measures success not by titles or finances but by ownership of his time – being present for morning breakfasts with his children rather than early corporate meetings. Hear about his local business and all things shades, shutters, and blinds that Made in the Shade can help you with.

His parting wisdom for entrepreneurs facing challenges resonates deeply: "Whatever obstacle you face, if you truly believe in what you're doing, do not give up." Listen now for a conversation that might just change your own definition of success.

People on this episode