Today we’d like to introduce you to SAMANTHA MORALES (the Gioconda).
SAMANTHA, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I love sharing this story because it feels like it’s not solely mine. Every business starts with a dream, usually one person’s vision, but evolves and grows along the way with other people. Why experience creation? For me is simple. In today’s world, especially with social media being a big part of our lives, people choose places based on the experience they offer, not just the core service. It just makes sense.
Personally, it all began when I graduated from University and a month after I began a journey as a traveler. Initially, it was supposed to be for 2 months only while doing social service in Cairo, Egypt teaching English to kids. But upon an unfortunate series of events, I had to leave the country earlier that expected.
Fast-forward, these 2 months became 2 years of non-stop traveling, coming and going from several places. This including cities in which I have family members that provided me with housing. Nevertheless, visiting Egypt and Morocco made me realize that my life was heading in a certain direction, and it came to no surprise to me since growing up, I was raised to be a culture-oriented individual, specially with a deep connection to Arab culture. The house decorations inside my Mexican household can only make sense to those who know, understand, or are born in an Arab environment. Nevertheless, it was while I was in Houston, Texas I discovered a delicious restaurant called “Fairouz Mediterranean Grill” on 529 (16310 FM 529, Houston, TX 77095). As a constant customer I became close with the owners and the Fairouz community in general. I was then offered the opportunity to be part of the marketing team. I was only visiting at the time, but extended my trip within the possibilities and helped in any way to create the best experience for customers going to Fairouz. I want to highlight that I did not get an economical compensation for several reasons; the main one being that I did not want one. First, the fact that I was given the opportunity while my business was barely starting was more than enough compensation for me. I valued the experience and opportunity way more than what money could have provided me at the time. Second I did it for the owners who I deeply love and appreciate, they always treated me with such kindness and familiarity, and I will always cherish that with all my heart.What can I say? I fell (more) in love with culture, the restaurant, and the project. Not only is the food here the most authentic I’ve tried so far in the West, but the overall experience I had in 2024 both as a customer and experience creator is still unmatched.
From there, business went uphill and the next stop was Tulum, Mexico. I collaborated with a close friend of mine (Nikkole Teja, professional soccer player & public figure) at a Ambre & Epices Jungle Hôtel & Spa which is a “riad” (a typical moroccan house). Needless to say it was amazing. While my business as an experience creator is still present and growing, I want to highlight that it is not exclusively for Arab-oriented businesses. It is for everyone that wants to elevate their business-costumer experience. Everyone, and any type of business that wishes to elevate itself and offer a greater experience as differentiation factor is welcome. Nowadays, my business is still growing and at a good pace. I try to balance being a student, model, experience creator, and wellness lover accordingly. I highly recommend readers finding their balance too—it makes all the difference!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have definitely been bumps on the road, nevertheless there are no growth opportunities on steady waters. One of the biggest struggles I face myself with is the constant traveling. It has an impact beyond my wallet and the physical tiredness. The constant goodbyes to my loved ones and intermittent lives makes it a bit harder, but the reward and the opportunity to meet new individuals and help others have the best of their business and come back home with great stories and memories makes it worth it. Moreover, I have struggled in having business owners change a little bit their power dynamic and be 100% willing to make some changes and modifications, beyond just hiring me. Experience creation is not about changing a business DNA, is about elevating it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in making businesses stand out. A strong differentiator can be the key that sets one business apart from another, especially when consumers are deciding on where to go. My focus is on identifying gaps and seizing opportunities to help businesses improve and evolve, in order to become the top choice for consumers. What I’m most proud of is that I started this journey with my ideas, creativity, and an iPad. It is not about when to start, but simply starting. With who you are, what you have, and becoming clingy, disciplined, and self-motivated in achieving that dream. Just start, and enjoy the learning process. Moreover, I am deeply grateful to have always surrounded myself with driven, creative people who are willing to grow and have supported me through anything. I want to give a special thanks to Mohammad Abuhawileh for believing in me even when I didn’t. I thank him for making things happen, he’s been there through EVERYTHING and not for one second did he ever let me down. He is the real deal and it is only fair to mention him, he has been one a backbone in all of this. He deserves credit and more.
What truly sets me apart, however, is that I care deeply about the businesses I work with. I’m not solely motivated by the financial reward. What drives me is seeing my clients happy, watching their businesses thrive, and knowing that I’ve helped make a positive impact both for business owners and consumers.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Know who you are and where you’re going. That is the most important thing, besides the help one can receive from God and anyone else, you have yourself. Own that. Once you’ve got that figured out, everything else will fall into place, nevertheless, keep yourself motivated and most importantly disciplined, always. I constantly encounter a lot of people chasing money instead of passion. Here’s the thing—money’s out there, and it’ll come to you if you’re doing what excites you. If you just go after the cash, it’ll slip away in the blink of an eye. However, when truly knowing where your business and ideas are going, money and opportunities will show up. There is no right time or place to start, but the point is to start.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.the-gioconda.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_gioconda/?hl=es
- Facebook: contact.gioconda@gmail.com
Screenshot
Screenshot
Image Credits
All the material shown here is owned by me. S.M.G.
