Meet Michael Celestino | Owner

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

Hi Michael, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking has been a significant part of my life and career, deeply influenced by my parents and their entrepreneurial journey. Watching them take the bold step of starting their own business instilled in me the confidence to embrace risks. Their experience taught me that failure is not the end but rather a valuable learning opportunity. Each setback provides lessons that can’t be learned from books but only through real-life experiences.
In addition to my parents, I have been fortunate to learn from my mentor, who has provided invaluable guidance and support. Her insights have helped me understand the importance of calculated risk-taking and strategic decision-making.
When approaching risk, I consider the potential benefits and downsides, and I am prepared to adapt and learn from any outcome. For instance, when I decided to start my own business, I knew it was a significant risk, but I also knew that the potential rewards and the lessons I would learn along the way made it worthwhile.
One of the key lessons I’ve learned is that it’s okay to fail. Each failure is a stepping stone to success, teaching resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. My mentor’s wisdom and my parents’ example have taught me that the path to success is rarely a straight line and that embracing risk is essential for growth and innovation.

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.
What sets me apart from others is my long-term vision and dedication to community support. I aim to help the community by providing opportunities for small brands to grow without financial strain.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but my support group has made it manageable. Through this experience, I have learned the importance of patience and savoring the adventure.

Transitioning from a fast-paced banking background to this industry, I’ve adapted to the slower pace, except when deadlines approach and everything speeds up.

Growing up in East Los Angeles, I love incorporating elements of my culture into my items, adding a unique touch to everything I create.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1:

Morning: Start the day with the best coffee in Los Angeles at Blue Bottle Coffee.
Midday: Head to The Grove for some shopping.
Afternoon: Drive down to Melrose Avenue to explore unique local businesses and vintage shops.
Evening: Dinner at Frida’s in Cerritos.
Night: Bar hop on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena, enjoying the vibrant nightlife and variety of bars.

Day 2:
Morning: Breakfast at Eggslut.
Midday: Spend the day at Santa Monica.
Evening: Dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings.
Night: Go watch a movie.

Day 3:
Morning: Brunch at Fronks.
Midday: Visit a museum.
Afternoon: Go to a shooting range.
Evening/ Night: Dineyland.

Day 4:
Morning: Get a breakfast burrito at Doublz.
Midday: Hike up to the Griffith Observatory.
Afternoon: Hang out at a friend’s house,
Evening: Go get in In n Out.
Night: Go bowling at Bowlero.

Day 5:
Day Trip: Drive to San Diego but pass by Costco to get a hot dog and drink with a slice of pizza for the road.

Day 6:
Morning: Breakfast at Urth Cafe.
Midday: Visit the Natural History Museum and the California Science Center in Exposition Park.
Afternoon: Check out local shops at Pasadena.
Evening: Dinner at Perch in Downtown LA.
Night: Visit bars at Arts District.

Day 7:
Morning: Go watch some friends play soccer.
Midday: Brunch at Fridas.
Evening: A nice dinner at Nobu or Javier’s.
Night: End the trip getting After’s Ice Cream.

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?
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for always supporting my dreams and helping me deliver quality items to my customers. Your unwavering belief in me has been my foundation. To my friends: Ever, Reb, Chapz, Yesenia, Edson, and Steph, thank you for being amazing friends and for lending a hand as I embarked on this adventure. Your encouragement and support have been invaluable. Lastly, to my mentor Jackie Sweida, thank you for always listening to my work plans and for the constant push to keep going. Your guidance has been crucial to my journey.

Website: https://www.urorbrand.com

Instagram: @uror_brand