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

Hi David, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I started my first business I had zero work balance. It was all about working hard and playing hard. Working 12-14 hour days was the norm, and half a day on Saturdays. Monday through Friday was all about being super focused on production, growth and expansion. While the weekends were for blowing off steam, partying, and taking fun trips to Vegas and Miami, etc.

Eventually I tired of partying, and my work focus increased. During this time I experienced some of our greatest growth, although it probably came at the expense of neglecting a healthy work life balance. Although I always exercised and ate healthy, I didn’t focus on mental health or stress reduction. As an entrepreneur your mind never really stops thinking of work or new potential business opportunities, so it’s easy to become a little bit obsessed. When things are going well, you’re thinking about scaling and expansion, and when things are going bad, you’re in survival mode fighting for your life. The obsessive grind at all cost mentality can come at a price, which can
be your mental health.

Today I’m married with two kids and my work life balance has come full circle. Now my day starts with working out and a guided meditation, which has really improved my mindfulness, and reduced stress.
I also make time each morning for personal growth, which can be reading a book, or learning a new language, etc. I normally get to the office around 8:30/9 am and leave at 5/5:30 pm. Instead of working super long hours I really focus on making my time at the office as efficient as possible. That means focusing on my main tasks, and sticking to a preset schedule. Not wasting any time is essential. That means not reading stories on my phone or desktop, no social media or a lot of socializing during the day. This allows me to leave the office on time and spend quality time with my family at home.

Ironically, I’m probably much more laser focused and efficient at work today, then I was when I was working 12-14 hours a day. It’s definitely helped me get to a good place with work life balance.

What should our readers know about your business?
Clean Energy Solutions is one of the fastest growing solar providers in the US. We’ve been recognized multiple times by Inc Magazine, on their Inc 500 and Inc 5000 lists of the fastest growing private companies in the US.

What makes us unique is that we don’t sell solar panels. We only sell solar energy.

With our solar program you don’t purchase the solar panels, and you don’t pay for the installation. The only thing you pay for is the energy that the panels produce, but at a lower cost than what the utility company charges.

In 2013, after founding and running a successful mortgage lender for almost a decade, I was looking for my next business opportunity. I had been keeping an eye on the emerging solar industry for a few years, and I thought it was such an amazing opportunity. Through research, I had learned that the sun provides enough energy in one hour to power the entire world for one full year. That completely blew my mind at the time!

Here was an unlimited source of energy that wasn’t harmful to the environment, and it was already cheaper than most fossil fuels. Realizing this was an incredible opportunity with a great cause, I founded Clean Energy Solutions.

Early on, before I had even completed any deals or projects, I had a meeting that really served as the catalyst that got me started in the industry.

I had driven to a solar industry convention in Las Vegas, on the off chance that I might be able to get 5 minutes with a CFO that had good industry connections. My five minutes turned into 45 minutes, as I went into full pitch mode right there on the convention floor. I shared my unconventional vision of not focusing on selling solar panels, but instead focusing on selling energy for less (which just happened to be solar energy). Word for word, I went through my entire sales presentation, and by the end of it he looked at me and said, “you’re the future of solar, you get it”. Of course I thought he was pulling my leg!

The CFO was impressed enough to recommend me to another VP of a venture backed company, whom I pitched in the middle of a crowded Vegas bar. He was also very enthusiastic and I ended up getting a commitment on the spot, for them to back our residential solar projects. Ironically enough, this same company had turned me down just a week earlier without taking any of my calls.

Long story short, when opportunity knocks you have to be ready.

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?
My morning to afternoon itinerary would look like this:

A morning run around Lake Hollywood. It’s like a hidden gem up in the Hollywood Hills. There’s a beautiful scenic lake that you can walk or run around, and right above you is the Hollywood sign.

After the run I would stop by Wildcard Boxing Club for a little boxing workout. It;s the gym that Freddy Roach built, and Manny Pacquiao trains there. Great place right on Santa Monica and Vine.

By that time I will have built up a good appetite and I would head over to farmer market on 3rd and Fairfax, for a good meal. There’s tons of food choices, and a little something for everyone.

It’s right next to the Grove, which is another favorite spot to spend a beautiful afternoon with friends or family.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to my mom, who I got my work ethic from. A single mom who gave me all the love that I needed while growing up. We both came to the US when I was 10 years old, and she basically had to start over career wise. She taught me the meaning of hard work and she’s an inspiration.

I also want to give a shoutout to my amazing beautiful wife, who always supports me no matter what. She’s the backbone of our family, and her support allows me to chase and build my entrepreneurial dreams.

Website: cleanenergysolar.org

Instagram: @david.gomez.ca

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-gomez1/

Twitter: @davidgomez_ces

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100027914602216

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