Inspiring Interview With Claudia Marcela Guevara Gonzalez, Founder And CEO of Cheerful Buddha

Read our inspiring interview with Claudia Marcela Guevara Gonzalez, Founder and CEO of Cheerful Buddha.

Tell Us About Your Career So Far.

I was born in Bogota, Colombia in 1980. My father was a lawyer and my mother was a businesswoman who owned an international re-locations firm. I always took a keen interest in commerce and from a young age always wanted to run my own business – having been involved in my mother’s enterprises.

I studied journalism and public relations at the Autonoma University in Cali. After my studies, I joined my mother’s business full-time and helped it to thrive. This gave me a good grounding in the art of negotiation, dealing with both clients and suppliers as well as many other areas of business.

Unfortunately, the security situation in Cali throughout my adolescent life and early twenties was very unstable and after a traumatic robbery, my mother decided to sell the firm in 2007 and move to Miami. I also left for London to study English and experience a new country.

What Did You Do In London?

Whilst in London I started another business – a small outfit teaching Zumba, a dance program where people exercise to rhythms from Colombia. This allowed me to combine my love of fitness, well-being, music, culture, business and dealing with people. I loved this particular part of my life.

And Then You Moved To Monaco?

Yes, in 2010 I married my English husband and in 2012 we moved to Monaco due to his work. Our two children were born in the principality and we are very happy and settled in Monaco.

Despite having two young children below the age of five years old and being a housewife, I have helped to establish the Association Monegasque for Latin America (AMLA). This is a not-for-profit association based in Monaco that acts as a socio-cultural exchange and organises frequent charitable events to raise funds to help some of the poorest and most needy communities in Latin America.

And What About Cheerful Buddha?

Yes, now I am the founder of Cheerful Buddha, a UK company that aims to bring best in its class to the health and wellness industry, and the Cannabidiol (“CBD”) industry in particular.

We have created the first major CBD-infused Colombian coffee in the UK that provides a method of CBD consumption which is 100 percent healthy, natural and delicious.

What 2 Things Do You Do To Build Your Confidence?

I strongly believe research and reading around topics that interest you broaden your awareness and empowers women to feel more confident in life and their careers.

In business, you need to have instincts as well as knowledge to succeed but the reading I have done in my later years is what got me into this position.

It is equally important to surround yourself with good, genuine and positive people. You feed off their optimism and love – that builds confidence in ourselves.

What Has Been Your Biggest Life Lesson So Far?

Once you have found something in your life that excites you and the pursuit of that makes you happy, work hard and concentrate on achieving your goals. The hardest thing is locating your passion.

How Do You Feel About Getting Older?

As I have two small children, a boy and a girl below the age of five, I look forward to seeing them develop their passions and education. Therefore, in a strange way, I do not mind it so much!

What’s Your Purpose In Life?

Ensuring my children are happy and looked after is a spiritual driver for me. This supports my well-being and happiness. I also enjoy helping others and this became apparent after I founded AMLA.

Now I want to build a company that has an impact on people’s well-being and brings them some happiness in a sustainable and green way.

How Do You Balance Work And Life Responsibilities?  What Sacrifices Have You Made?

It is difficult but I always try and separate the time in which I am working and the time I am with the family. If you try and combine the two, I find it becomes too stressful and unproductive although it is near on impossible sometimes.

I feel the main sacrifice I have made is to live in a foreign country far away from my elderly father and mother. For a Colombian, coming from a country where family units are still incredibly tight and important, it is a great sacrifice.

I try and see them at least once or twice each year and I now have my own young family and a business to grow.

What Are Your Top Self-Care Tips?  How Do You Relax?

I always try and give myself at least an hour each day where I do not look at the phone or computer and I try to relax. It is a form of meditation.  I find it reduces stress and helps me to concentrate for the rest of the day.

Modern life forces people to be ‘on the go’ permanently and I have convinced myself this is not healthy for the mind or body.

Every day I also start with a delicious Cheerful Buddha CBD infused Colombian coffee. It is hard to explain the feeling because it is not psychoactive and it is subtle, but it helps me to feel free of pain, calm and relaxed.

I also love to travel with the family when the opportunity arises and spend quality time together. This gives me the energy to be productive when I am back at work.

What Advice Would You Give The Next Generation Of Girls?

Read as much as possible about topics that interest you. This will build confidence in who you are and what you like. You never know where that special idea will come from! All successful businesses are built from ideas and desires.

Also, be close to people that instinctively you know you can rely on 100 percent and try to avoid others whose motives or agendas are suspect. We live in a world dominated by social media and this prevents girls and women from concentrating on deeper more profound relationships that will support their emotional well-being.

We have lots of other inspiring interviews that you may like to read.  How about our one with Kate Pankhurst (yes, learn how she feels about the legacy of her surname!)?