The Beginning of a Dream

I am constantly amazed how the universe works to make things happen in my life. I feel truly blessed. Not a day goes by where I don’t think about how lucky I have been to start a company and see success with it, and to start over again and reach even higher horizons. It is amazing to me. I have always known that we make our own luck in life, but we do that by following god’s will for us in life. I believe that. I am deeply appreciative for the incredible people that are drawn into my life. We have assembled a wonderful team at Hugo Naturals, and this is not something easily done. It has just fallen into place. This is what I mean by blessed.

 

My thoughts take me to a day long ago when I first came to this incredible country I now call home. I had $100 in my pocket when I landed in New York. The first thing I did was take a taxi from the airport to a hotel in Manhattan to book a room for the night. I had been in the United States for one hour and had already spent $63 of my original $100. The only thing left was $27 in my pocket and a hotel paid until noon the next day. Now here I am, 28 years later, and after many long roads in this awesome country I know that anything is possible if you have a dream and the courage to see it through. I think how incredible it is to be running a company like Hugo Naturals. My dreams and challenges are completely changed from where I began, but the same fundamental truth exists for me. I can see the most important part of my business is the human element, as it is in my life. As I face my challenges running my business, others have challenges with basic things like giving their families clean water, health care, food, and housing. Even here in this great country people have these challenges. The fundamentals of business around the world are about “Me”. Whole Foods and other great companies in our industry are trying to change the conversation and make it about “Us”. Hugo Naturals is such a company. As our line grows we will focus more and more on these issues. How can we prosper while others suffer far away and at home?

 

Never in my life has it seemed more possible to end hunger, disease, and reduce suffering as it does right now.  Now more than ever we need to begin to think about “Us”.

 

The planet’s warming climate, water deprived villages, and all of the challenges I mentioned are becoming the latest bonanza for public relations companies and marketing executives. Their goal is more about fixing the bottom-line, and less about addressing the problems. I imagine a business community where eco-friendly and socially responsible acts and practices actually help a company bottom-line. We must remain sustainable and prosperous in order to stay in business and have the ability to help people, so we need to be realistic how we do it.  However, companies that talk the most about sustainability aren't always the best at putting forward the rights efforts and those right efforts are to cut toxic emissions, create eco-friendly and safe products, help the poor of this world by meeting humanity's needs without harming future generations.

 

Concentrating on the bottom-line makes companies postpone inevitable changes that are badly needed by people and our planet.

 

The team at Hugo Naturals is completely aligned in our core values and vision. This gives us a much more focused company than we ever had before, and I couldn’t be more pleased to have you as a part of it.  A friend and a customer.

 

Comments

[Moksh]

hello Hugo!

I had the joy of meeting you at the Wholefoods store at Columbus Circle in NYC. I buy your soaps and sometimes the hand lotion. I liked your brown sugar scrub the best and I will buy it again soon. I hope to try your lip balm soon! God bless! Peace out.!

[Allen Lambert]

Hello Hugo!
It was a pleasure meeting you, even under such akward conditions. I've reviewed your blogs, products, and history and I can see no end to your dreams.

A quote I really like that I think you of all people in this business should appreciate as the chef you are, the quote goes: "If you can't eat it, don't put it on your skin".

Take care Hugo, live long, live great.

[Melissa & Mina]

Although I don't normally use luxury soaps or anything of the sort, I was surprised to find that I absolutely love your products. My mother and I always give soaps and scrubs as gifts to our friends, who love them as well. Finally, having seen the workplace and the process of making the soap, I'm ecstatic that such lovely products are cruelty-free and vegan. We need more companies with your values and dedication.
Peace out.

[marthy]

I love your shampoo and conditioner ylang ylang and the same for that body wash of yours, it makes my hair and body feel sooooo soft, and miracle in a bottle!!! Please make a leave in for the hair!!